Banana

Scientific Name : Musa spp.
Local Name : Pisang
Other Common Name : Banananen (German), Banano (Spanish)

Origin
Native to Southeast Asia and Australia.

Uses
Normally eaten fresh, puree. Some varieties are generally cooked first (fried, boiled, baked or chipped).

Nutrient Content
Banana is a good source of kalium and phosphor. Kalium is an important mineral required by nervous and muscle systems. So if it is consumed together with milk, it can generate effects that calm nerves. Besides containing various vitamins (vitamins A, C, B1, B2, and B6), banana is a good source of instant energy because of its high degree of natural sugar that is easy to absorb.

Plant Cultivation
The banana plant is a pseudostem that grows to 7.6 m tall, growing from a corm. Leaves are spirally arranged and may grow 2.7 m long and 60 cm wide. Each pseudostem would produce a bunch of yellow, green, or even red bananas before dying and being replaced by another pseudostem. Banana plant likes fertile soil. Ideal temperature is between 21-32 C.

The banana fruit grows in hanging clusters, with up to 20 fruits to a tier (called a hand), and 3-20 tiers to a bunch. The total of the hanging clusters is known as a bunch, or commercially as a "banana stem", and can weigh from 30–50 kg. The fruit averages 125 g, of which approximately 75% is water and 25% dry matter content. Each individual fruit (known as a banana or 'finger') has a protective outer layer (a peel or skin) with a fleshy edible inner portion.

In Indonesia, banana is available all year round, varieties Barangan is available in January–June.

Propagation
Sucker, tissue culture.

Varieties
Mas Kirana, Raja Bulu, Barangan, Cavendish, Tanduk, Ambon, Susu, Kepok.

Area of Production
West Java, Central Java, East Java, Lampung, North Sumatra, South Sumatra, Kalimantan.

Exports
Japan, Hongkong, China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Australia, The Netherlands, United States, France.

References:
- www.wikipedia.org
- www.indonesiafruitexport.com/ENG/ftype.php?frID=2
- www.ristek.go.id

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Mangosteen: Queen of Fruits

Scientific Name : Garcinia mangostana L.
Indonesian Name : Manggis
Other Common Name: Manggistan (Dutch), Mangoustanier (French), Mangostan (German), Mangostino (Spanish), Mangostano (Italian)

Origin
Native to Sunda Islands and the Moluccas, Southeast Asia.

Uses
Normally eaten fresh, juice.

Nutrient Content
Mangosteen is typically advertised and marketed as part of an emerging category of novel functional foods sometimes called "superfruits" presumed to have a combination of 1) appealing subjective characteristics, such as taste, fragrance and visual qualities, 2) nutrient richness, 3) antioxidant strength and 4) potential impact for lowering risk against human diseases.

When analyzed specifically for its edible aril, mangosteen meets only the first criterion above, as its overall nutrient profile is absent of important content, it contains no pigmentation (correspondingly, no antioxidant phytochemicals in significant concentration) and there is no scientific evidence of aril constituents having any health properties.

Should puree or juice from the arils be infused with exocarp phenolic extracts, mangosteen juice adopts the purple color and astringency of its exocarp pigments. It is usually balanced for taste with sweeteners possibly requiring juices from other fruits.

Plant Cultivation
The tree grows from 7 to 25 meters tall. The rind (exocarp) of the edible fruit is deep reddish purple when ripe. Botanically an aril, the fragrant edible flesh is sweet and creamy, citrusy with some peach flavor. Mangosteen is closely related to other edible tropical fruits such as button mangosteen and lemondrop mangosteen. They like fertile, well draining soil. Ideal temperatures are between 25-32 C. Young trees may need some shelter by other trees, like banana tree. After 6-8 months, shelter can be reduced to full sun. Fruits take around 120-150 days to mature. In Indonesia, fruits available in October-April.

Propagation
Seed, top grafting, and approach grafting

Varieties
Kaligesing, Wanayasa, Seedless, Lingsar (White Mangosteen)

Area of Production
North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Jambi, South Sumatra, Bangka-Belitung, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara

Export
Taiwan, Japan, China, Netherland, Hongkong, Middle Eastern.

References:
- Reza, M.,Wijaya,Tuherkih,E. Pembibitan dan Pembudidayaan Manggis, Penebar Swadaya,2000.
- www.wikipedia.org
- http://www.litbanghortikultura.go.id
- www.indonesiafruitexport.com/ftype.php?frID=6

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