Planting A Good Mix Of Durian Varieties

A Good Mix of Durian Varieties or Cultivars


Growing durian trees from seeds is obsolete.

Durian farmers can now choose to grow and manage specific durian varieties or cultivars based on their own needs and goals.

1st Rule:   never plant a single durian variety or cultivar.


The most important rule to remember is that never plant a single durian variety or cultivar in an orchard. Since all plants in a variety have the same genetic make-up, a new disease or disorder that breaks down the genetic defenses will affect the entire variety. This will wipe out your durian orchard and all your efforts will be wasted. To minimize this risk, the best approach to establish a durian orchard is to plant a good mix of durian varieties or cultivars.

2nd Rule:   planting several varieties together also help in cross-pollination and fruit set.

Planting a few varieties together also helps in cross-pollination and fruit set, thus increasing fruit yield and quality. Remember, almost all durian varieties are self-incompatible or self-infertile and need cross-pollination from another durian variety.


3rd Rule:   planting several varieties stretch the durian fruit season over several weeks.


Another advantage is that varieties with different maturity indices can stretch the durian fruit season over several weeks.


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Let's take clone D197 or Musang King for an example.

 D197 or Musang King

Presently, it is the most popular clone in Malaysia and Singapore. D197 fruits fetch the highest price in the market and is in high demand. There are lots of information on the D197 fruit such as shape, colour, taste, size etc.

But, information on the D197 tree characteristics such as tree vigour, productivity, disease tolerance, etc. is generally lacking. Did you know that D197 is very susceptible to Leaf Spot disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani?

 Hot and high humidity favors high incidence of leaf spot disease

Though Leaf Spot or Rhizoctonia disease is relatively easy to control with the proper management practices, there are a host of diseases such as Phytophthora and many others to be wary of.

Therefore, it is very risky to plant only  D197 in an orchard unless you have total information on that particular variety or cultivar. The local growing conditions, such as climate and soils, as well as management practices can greatly influence the tree characteristics and its performance. D197 may do very well in a certain area but can be a total failure in others.

D197 is NOT in the list of durian varieties recommended for commercial planting by the Department of Agriculture.

The best approach is to gather as much information as you can, not on just one variety or cultivar but also on other clones or cultivars as well, and talk to as many local people as you can. You can get information from the local agricultural officers, other durian growers in your area, the nurserymen, fertilizers and agricultural chemical suppliers, farm tools suppliers, the fruit buyers etc. Do not forget your immediate farm neighbours for they may have lots of good and/or bad experiences with durian planting.

 In Malaysia, the Department of Agriculture recommended 3 varieties for commercial planting in specific agroclimatic zones. They are D24, D99 (Gob kecil) and D123 (Chanee).

 Another 4 clones; D145 (Beserah), D158 (Gan Yau), D159 (Monthong), and D169 (Tok Litok) have interim recommendations for very specific areas.


MARDI has 3 durian hybrids - D188 (MDUR78), D189 (MDUR79) and D190 (MDUR88) which are high yielding and of good quality and be considered as good commercial clones.

 Recommended durian clones of Malaysia

In Penang, popular clones planted are D163 (Hor Lor), D164 (Ang Bak), and D175 (Ang Hea).
In Perak, D120 (Manong or KK5), D146  (Lempur Mas), D148 (Durian Paduka) and D150 (Empang Mas).

In Selangor, D160 (Buluh Bawah), D162 (Tawa) and Penu (MDUR 505).

In Johore, D168 (Mas Hajah Hasnah).

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One popular strategy is to plant a clonal mix of  50% D24, 30% D99, and 20% of D98 or D114.

This recommendation had undergone extensive testing by MARDI.

Like many durian clones, D24 is self-incompatible, and when planted as the only clone in an orchard, will produce low yields and uneven fruit shape. D24 requires cross-pollination from other durian clones for better fruit set.

D24


Research shows that when D24 is planted in a clonal mix with clones such as D99 (Gob kecil), D98 and D114, the performance of D24 increases significantly in terms of yield and fruit quality. D24 has the best fruit quality, follow closely by D99 while D98 and D114 have acceptable quality.

D99 (Kop Kecil)


Another advantage of this clonal mix is that D99 can bear fruits during the off-season and thus is able to produce two crops a year. It is also an early-season clone with fruits ripening in 90-100 days from anthesis. D24 is classified as mid-season clone. Fruits drop from the tree 105-115 days after anthesis.

D98 and D114 are late-season clones with maturity index 120-130 days. This stretches the durian season to more than 3 weeks. Market prices are not affected as early and late-season fruits usually fetch higher prices because of the low production. Even though D24 matures during the peak in the durian fruit season where fruits are plentiful, it always fetches a good price because of its high quality.

Besides D24, three new hybid clones D188 (MDUR78), D189 (MDUR79) and D190 (MDUR88)  have been recommended for clonal mix planting. They are all high-yielding mid-season clones with good quality fruits almost at par to D24.

 MDUR hybrid durian clones

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Thailand uses a similar strategy where 4 major clones are planted according to maturity index;

Variety Gra-doom-tawng

Artificial cross-pollination using Gra-doom-tawng as a pollinizer is strongly recommended for commercial durian cultivation in Thailand.

Durian Gra-doom-tawng (Photo Credit DITP)

Research has shown that when Gra-doom-tawng was used as pollen parent, fruit set percentage was significantly high in Monthong (27.2%), which is a leading cultivar in Thailand. High fruit set was also achieved in Chanee (16.3%) by  Gra-doom-tawng pollen.


Durian Monthong (Photo Credit DITP)

Durian Chanee (Photo Credit DITP)

Durian Kanyao (Photo Credit DITP)
 Gra-doom-tawng matures early to get the high market price, Chanee and Kanyao mature in mid-season and Monthong late season. This lenghtens the durian season, thus avoiding the risk of over-production to meet consumers demand, and maintaining good market prices throughout the season.


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In summary, the use of recommended durian clones or cultivars can help you intensify your orchard management to get higher yields, fewer unproductive years, more trees per hectare, higher maximum yield per hectare, much higher mean yield over the orchard's lifespan, more efficient management and lower cost of production.

However, some disadvantages are that the mother tree from where the cuttings or grafted materials are obtained may harbour diseases and pests that are then transferred to the new plants. Ensure planting materials are free from diseases and pests.

A cloned tree generally has a weaker root system than a seedling tree and therefore requires intensive management in keeping with its intensity of cropping.

Clonal trees are expensive and more plants are required for planting.

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24 comments:

  1. Hi, the blog is just amazingly rich and instructive. Congrats. I am a young farmer in the french west indies (Martinique). Durian is just on its beginning here. I searched everywhere a way to contact Francis chung but did not find it. So I write on this page. Are you able to sell and send some seeds? Here is my mail: dinao1@msn.com
    Thanks for your answer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not in the durian business. You will have to find out from FAMA or private nurseries to get your seeds.

      Delete
  2. Dear Francis, this is Elaine from subang jaya. I'm keen to plant durian n learn the skills on how to go about it. I wld be grateful if you cld grant us 30 mins to an hour to meet up with you for further understanding of the planting process n care given though out the servile planting period pls? Thanking you in advance :) cheers

    ReplyDelete
  3. Elaine, please leave your contact number and I get back to you. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Francis,
    Thank you so very much! I find this information truly great. I would really love to devote myself to growing and tending durians. I am not a Malay citizen though. Is it possible for Europeans to emigrate to Malayise and grow durian? I want to do this purely for the love of the fruit, not for any commercial reasons.
    Many thanks for your amazing words!
    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do not know the requirements for immigration. You will have to check that out with your embassy.

      Delete
  5. Dear Francis,
    My name is Kar Jin, I am the host of a podcast talk show, we are doing an episode on durian, particularly on how harvests have declined from year to year, and how it is affected by the weather and Chinese demand. I was wondering if you would be interviewed for a short segment/ or if not if you'd be willing to meet up and talk regarding durians? Thank you so much for this website, it's incredibly helpful in doing research and general info.

    Best,
    Kar Jin
    +60139271402

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Kar Jin,

    Thank you for your kind invitation but I must decline as I am not qualified to talk on the current durian production, the weather and the Chinese factor. I only know what is in the news or from the Internet. You need to approach the right people for the latest news such as the experts in MARDI, Dept. of Agriculture and FAMA. Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  7. HI, Mr.Francis Chung,
    Im Kent,29 years old From Petaling Jaya,
    Im looking into acquiring durian farm
    And make it to a family business.
    Im very serious about it..
    Hope to know more about growing good durians.
    Can I meet you up please..
    I will be very very happy to see you..
    Can u please contact me? Whatsapp, call or email.

    010-2487820
    Kentchinchihjan@hotmail.my

    ReplyDelete
  8. HI, Mr.Francis Chung,
    Im Kent,29 years old From Petaling Jaya,
    Im looking into acquiring durian farm
    And make it to a family business.
    Im very serious about it..
    Hope to know more about growing good durians.
    Can I meet you up please..
    I will be very very happy to see you..
    Can u please contact me? Whatsapp, call or email.

    010-2487820
    Kentchinchihjan@hotmail.my

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kent,

      Good for you. Agriculture is a profitable business. You will succeed if you are dedicated. Everything you need to know about the durian are in the pages. Like I said before, I am not in the durian business. So, I will be more comfortable if you leave your technical questions here and I will try to help you as much as I can. Thank you.

      Delete
  9. Ok..
    Im planning to visit a few farms...
    Already planted with musang king..
    What are the points that I need to check before I accuire it?
    How do I know the tree is in healthy condition and will continue to fruit??

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kent,

    Frankly I don't know anything about buying a durian farm as I don't have any experience in this. I suppose it's like buying a house and that you will need the services of a good lawyer. Durian trees are considered as assets and their value depend on their age and their productivity i.e. how many fruits/year. You have to check them out personally to see how healthy they are in the field. Read up on Pests and Diseases. Consider other farm assets such as farm house, store, holding pond, farm roads, access to main roads, markets, etc. It's going to be your new home, your personal preferences are important.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi francis, may i know how many durian will a trees drop in a season for age 5-10, 10-15, 16-20 years group?

      Delete
    2. Couldn't find any research findings regarding durian yield. You have to extrapolate from whatever reports that are available. I will try to write something on this subject soon.

      Delete
  11. Thanks for the advice.
    Im visiting a few tomorrow.
    And I try to understand it first..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kent, please let us know what are your findings. Thank you.

      Delete
  12. Hi Francis ,
    What do you recommend for D197 mustang king clonal mix %?

    Marcus

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No research findings or information on the subject. I guess your preferences are as good as mind. Sorry. Can't help you here.

      Delete
  13. Hi Francis,
    Our farm is planted with more than 50 trees of a wild durian species known as Durio Lowianus. Do drop by to try this cultivar when in season. I guarantee you will be amazed. You may also check it out on my facebook page "harrykok".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry. Couldn't find your page on facebook.

      Delete
    2. There is a video on our farm and the said durian. Just go to youtube and type "red flower durian blooming". Happy viewing.

      Delete
  14. Hi Francis,
    First of all, great article and very very useful info.
    I have an empty orchard in Johor which I intend to plant durian trees.
    I would like to know further on the growing process and etc (purchasing of trees, growing, maintaining)

    Which organization should I contact ya?
    FAMA or MARDI?

    ReplyDelete