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Fruits

Ackee

Blighia sapida

Ackee is a tropical fruit tree native to West Africa, known for its unique, pear-shaped fruit that turns from green to bright red or yellow when ripe. The edible part of the fruit is the arils, which are creamy and have a nutty flavor. Ackee is a staple in Jamaican cuisine, often served with saltfish. The tree can grow up to 10 meters tall and requires a warm climate for optimal growth.

Calculate System for Ackee
400.00–600.00mm
Water Need
120 days
Season
30.00–60.00cm
Root Depth
25,000 kg/ha
Yield
20,000
Plants/ha

Growth Stages

Season: Mar – Aug (120 days)

Initial
Kc 0.400
30 days
Development
Kc 0.700
40 days
Mid-Season
Kc 1.000
60 days
Late
Kc 0.800
30 days

Ackee trees thrive in well-drained soils and require full sun. They can take 3-5 years to bear fruit. Care should be taken to harvest only ripe fruit, as unripe ackee contains toxic compounds.

Water Requirements

Season Total: 400.00600.00 mm
Water Stress Sensitivity: High
Salt Tolerance: Moderate
Water Productivity: 15.500 kg/m³

Recommended Methods

Drip Irrigation90.00%Fixed Sprinkler70.00%

Soil Compatibility

Optimal pH range: 6.0 – 7.5

Sandy Loam
AWC100.00mm/m
Drainagegood
Drainage: Well-drained soils preferred
Organic Matter: 2.00%
Soil should be rich in organic matter. Incorporating compost can improve soil structure and fertility.

Climate Compatibility

Temperature range: 15.0°C – 30.0°C

Tropical Wet
ETo: 3.006.00 mm/day
Temp: 20.0°C – 32.0°C
Frost: none
Frost Tolerance: Low frost tolerance
Heat Tolerance: Moderate heat tolerance
Ackee is sensitive to frost and should be planted in frost-free areas. It prefers humid conditions and can benefit from shade during extreme heat.

Planting Layout

100.00cm
Row Spacing
50.00cm
Plant Spacing
20,000
Plants per ha

Nutrient Requirements (kg/ha)

Nitrogen (N)150 kg/ha
Phosphorus (P)60 kg/ha
Potassium (K)180 kg/ha
40
Calcium (Ca) kg/ha
25
Magnesium (Mg) kg/ha
20
Sulfur (S) kg/ha
Schedule: Apply nitrogen in 3 splits during growing season
Organic Matter: 2-3% organic matter recommended

Yield Information

25,000
kg/ha
2.500
kg/plant
0.450
Harvest Index
Quality Factors: Size, color, sugar content

Design Your Ackee Irrigation System

Use our free calculators to plan water requirements, spacing, and system costs for your Ackee field.

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Related Guides

Growing and Irrigating Ackee: An Economically Efficient Approach

Introduction Ackee (Blighia sapida) is a tropical fruit native to West Africa that has gained popularity in various regions around the world. It is not only known for its unique taste and nutritional value but also for its economic potential. In this article, we will explore the process of growing and irrigating Ackee…

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