Manilkara zapota cultivation

Engkus Kusnadi produksi sawo sukatali mampu capai 600—800 ton/tahunThe size of the fruit is boosted after Engkus Kusnadi, the garden owner reduces the crop population. ' The total population of 200 trees. Now living half, ' says Engkus. The garden also looks more spacious with a planting distance of 7 m x 7 m to 10 m x 10 m. More important sunlight can penetrate the header of the plant.

According to Yos Sutiyoso, a plant physiologist in Jakarta, with the thinning of the photosynthesis rate increases so that the fruit quality is boosted: bigger and sweet. Moreover, Engkus also always discard the pentyl sawo that form abnormal every season of fruit arriving in December – February. ' Every stalk of fruit is only left 1 fruit. Usually in a a sprig of can appear 4 – 5 pieces, ' said Engkus. Hence the weight of the fruit reaches 85 – 125 g or the contents of 8 – 12 pieces, usually Sawo Sukatali 60 – 85 g.

More profit

With the treatment Engkus also reap more profit. The average 10-year-old tree produces 125 kg of fruit. A total of 70% of the fruit is a quality of AB alias Secilo contents 8 – 12 kg. The remaining 30% in grade B (Secilo contents 12 – 16 pieces) and grade C (Secilo content of 16 pieces). It used to be the opposite, grade B 50%. The remaining 25% C and 25% AB.

' From the AB grade alone can already be Rp 875.000, ' said Engkus. That's because the price of SAWO grade AB in the garden reaches Rp 10,000 per kg. While grade B, Rp 8,000 per kg and grade C, Rp 7,000/kg. In fact, with more intensive care in the form of fertilization treatment and thinning can be harvested super grade 200 g per piece. The Super Sukatali Sawo is released in the garden for Rp 15,000 per kg.

According to Dr Ir Meddy Rachmadi MS from the Department of agricultural Cultivation, University of Padjadjaran, Bandung Sawo Sukatali liked in the market because the texture is soft without ' sandy '. It is also more durable because it remains tender and sweet when consumed 4 days after maturity. Compare to which is 2 – 3 days after ripe skin turned dark brown and flesh softening.

Spread

Today, the garden belonging to Engkus and Tani Sugih Group is a demonstration for local people. Understandably, Sukatali has long been the center of Sawo in Sumedang. Recorded in the village grew 6,685 plants sawo various ages. ' As many as 95% of the population has sawo trees, ' said Ade Ratna Wulan, head of Sukatali village. Some of them have been slaying in monoululture, no longer just crops.

According to Ade Achras Zapota was cultivated in Sukatali since 1900-an. At that time Satir, the citizen of Sukatali who served to the Regent Sumedang, Prince Aria Suria Atmaja was given Sawo seed. The prince acquired him from a Dutch citizen. Again relatives of miracle Fruit Synsepalum Dulcificum was only planted the prince in the pot and has not been fruitful.

Satire then brought Sawo to his residence in Sukatali which is 600 m above the sea and planted in the yard. After 3 years, Sawo origin of the graft began to bear fruit. The sweetness without the ' sandy ' makes it a favorite of the regent and the people around. Sawo was often presented at every event in the district and the community began to transport it until the population reached hundreds of trees around Sukatali.

Now the delicacy of sawo Sukatali spread to all around West Java such as Bogor, Cianjur, Subang, and Purwakarta to Gorontalo and Balikpapan in East Kalimantan. From the earth Sumedang nicknamed Johan Koning in the introduction of the book Het Paradijs van Java by Dutch photographer Wijnand Kerkoff, as the Italian of the east, Sawo Sukatali increasingly popular.

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