Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the photosynthetic yield, color development and quality characteristics of three cultivars of Syzygium samarangense at commercial farm of Banting, Selangor and Functional food laboratories, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Various physiological and biochemical parameters were studied during two seasons of fruit growth from October, 2009 to August, 2010 with the  ‘Giant Green’, ‘Masam manis Pink’ and  ‘Jambu madu Red’ cultivars of S. samarangense. Results showed that the highest chlorophyll content, maximal and variable fluorescence (Fm and Fv) in mature leaves and photosynthetic yield (Fv/Fm) were found in ‘Jambu madu Red’ cultivar. Furthermore, this cultivar that had the medium time for fruit development, it also produced the highest amount of Juice content (ml/100 g). The highest, lower fluorescence (F0) in mature leaves, maximal fluorescence (Fm) and variable fluorescence (Fv) in new flush, the earliest peel color and the fruit maturity were observed in ‘Masam manis pink’ cultivar.  The highest, lower fluorescence F0 in new flush and chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll were recorded in fruit of ‘Giant Green’ cultivar. Also some other quality parameter like peel, pulp, biomass and juice color, aromatic flavor, texture and taste were taken into account to compare the quality in the cultivars of S. samarangense. This study also showed that the photosynthetic yield had a strong correlation with the fruit biomass among the three cultivars. In conclusion, Jambu madu Red’ and ‘Masam manis pink’ ‘cultivars are comparatively better than ‘Giant green’ cultivar if cultivated under South Asian conditions.

Key words: Syzygium samarangense, photosynthetic yield, ripening, quality, cultivars.