National Durian Vol. 27

Lychee durians are vibrant yellow in colour, possessing enticing qualities. Its texture is light and creamy and most notably, it exudes waves of floral fragrance, setting it apart from other durian varieties and making it exceptionally unique. The spikes on the Lychee durians are thick and sharp, each spike taking on a pyramid-like shape, wider at the base and narrower at the top. When Malaysia’s durian production has fallen behind Thailand, the only way to make a comeback into China’s vast market is through quality products. So, how can success be achieved through the quality? For this, we have to look at Thailand, the durian powerhouse. THE CRÈME DE LA CRÈME OF PREMIUM DURIAN VARIETIES In Betong, Thailand, the crème de la crème of all the premium durian varieties called…

The world - renowned kiwifruit producer and distributor, Zespri, launched a civil lawsuit that has garnered much attention from key players in the agricultural industry. This civil suit that was filed in Chinese courts primarily targets two Chinese businesses for unauthorised production, sales, and marketing of Zespri’s Sungold Kiwifruits. What transpired in this case and how does it relate to the Malaysian durians? Let’s delve into the details. GLOBAL MARKETING STRATEGY Firstly, it is essential to understand that Zespri is a New Zealand - based international company specialising in marketing kiwi fruits. Zespri is a leading brand in the global kiwifruit market and is synonymous with high-quality kiwifruits. To put it simply, Zespri definitely comes to mind when one speaks about kiwifruits. Since those days, New Zealand’s kiwifruits were sweet…

Which soil is best for inducing durian flowers artificially? Let’s delve into this issue to find out. The Coldstream area in Perak was originally known for cultivating fruits such as mangoes, papayas, and water apples. However, due to various factors, these fruits have gradually been replaced with crops like oil palms and arrowroots. This is due to the predominantly sandy soil in the area. Nevertheless, due to the high profitability of durians, many farmers have recently jumped onto the durian cultivation bandwagon. Due to this, durian orchards are gradually expanding. Lai Men Sew is one of them. Lai Men Sew’s orchard can be divided into two sections which are the foot of the hills and the hills themselves, covering more than 50 acres in total. The main varieties grown here…

In the realm of agriculture, a quiet revolution is taking place beneath the soil, transforming the way we approach crop production. Beneficial microbes, the unsung heroes of the microbial world, are emerging as powerful allies in durian cultivation. From enhancing soil health to promoting plant growth and combating diseases, these microscopic organisms hold immense potential for the durian industry. In this comprehensive column, we will delve into the fascinating world of beneficial microbe use in the durian crop, exploring its multifaceted benefits and the exciting prospects it offers to farmers. 1. SOIL HEALTH AND NUTRIENT CYCLING: THE FOUNDATION OF DURIAN CROP SUCCESS The foundation of any successful crop production lies in the health of the soil. Beneficial microbes play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility and structure, facilitating nutrient…

With the surge in durian cultivation, there has been a notable rise in the demand for organic fertilisers. Consequently, organic fertiliser producers have proliferated extensively, spanning both professional and non-professional sectors, thereby rendering the market intricate and diverse, with varying product qualities. The market offers a wide range of organic fertilisers, including those derived from animal and plant sources. In Malaysia, chicken manure and plant-based organic fertilisers are predominant. Among these, a substantial portion of plant-based organic fertilisers are derived from palm oil waste. However, which palm oil waste is suitable for use as fertiliser? The oil palm wastes consist of various byproducts from palm oil processing and oil palm cultivation. The primary palm oil mill wastes include palm oil mill effluent (POME, accounting for 60%), empty fruit bunches (EFB,…