FFTC Practical
Technology
Durian harvesting
D URIAN (Durio zibethius Murr.) has been called the
most controversial fruit in the world because of its
aroma and taste. It is native to Southeast Asia, and is an
important fruit in the Philippines.
Adaptability of the Technology
Durian grows well in the tropics, in countries with a
warm, humid climate. The best temperature range is
o o
from 25 C to 30 C, with 80% relative humidity.
Ideal rainfall ranges from 1,500-2,000 mm per annum.
Optimum elevation ranges from sea level up to 800
m. Elevations higher than 800 m produce trees
which bear foliage rather than fruit, have a longer
juvenile stage, and are more susceptible to disease.
Soil should be deep, loamy, and well drained, with
Fig. 1. Cross-section of ripe durian fruit
Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC)
14 Wenchow St., Taipei, Taiwan ROC
Tel.: (886 2) 2362 6239 Fax: (886 2) 2362 0478
E-mail: fftc@agnet.org Website: www.fftc.agnet.org
FFTC: An international information center for
small-scale farmers in Asia
Fruit and Vegetables
PT2001-10
a high organic matter content. Soil pH should be
5.5-6.5. The current technology on harvesting
described here can be used on trees which are not
very tall.
Effectiveness of the technology
Fruits from large trees are usually not picked or
harvested but are allowed to drop naturally when
ripe. However, recently established orchards are
planted with improved varieties, the fruits of which
have a thin pericarp. The fruits will be damaged if
they drop onto the ground. Thus, they need to be
picked from the trees at the right stage of maturity
(Fig. 1). Hand-picked fruits have a longer shelf life
(5-7 days) than fallen fruits (2-3 days).
Cooperating agency for this topic:
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural
Resources Research and Development (PCARRD)
E-mail: pcarrd@ultra.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph
Fax: 63-49-536-0016
The technology
Immature fruits have inferior eating quality. They
lack the characteristic aroma and flavor, and may
not ripen normally.
The following maturity indices characterize the
mature fruit. The abscission layer at the peduncle
or fruit stalk is visible and pronounced. The fruit
gives an audible dull hollow sound when tapped.
A slight but distinct aroma is exuded by the mature
fruit. The spines are pliable when bent. The
pericarp becomes yellowish green or brown, and
grooves among the spine bases expand. Maturity
may occur from 90-130 days after flower opening,
depending on the cultivar.
When harvesting, the grower should climb the
tree and select mature fruits, using the maturity
Fig. 2. Durian tree with fruits
indices. The peduncle should be cut above the
abscission layer, close to the branch (Fig. 2).
Harvested fruit should be held at the
peduncle and placed in a bamboo basket tied with
a rope. After the basket is lowered to the ground,
the fruits should be transferred to containers for
transport to the sorting shed. The fruits should not
come in contact with the soil, to avoid soil-borne
infections.
One method of preparing the fruit for
harvesting is to tie the fruit peduncle below the
abscission layer to the whole fruit itself and anchor
it to the branch.
When the fruit ripens and is detached from the
branch, it does not drop to the ground. The fruits
are then collected from the tree, either by climbing
or by using a harvesting pole.