Articles
Day neutral Hibiscus sabdariffa: an underutilized crop
Article number
1460_12
Pages
99 – 102
Language
English
Abstract
Hibiscus sabdariffa, also known as sorrel in the Caribbean, is a locally popular annual fruiting crop.
Most sorrel plants are photoperiodic and produce fruit during the winter holiday season.
Sorrel calyxes are used for making flavorful deep crimson red juices, teas, sauces and jams.
Sorrel breeding has been ongoing at the University of the Virgin Islands for multiple years resulting in the release of new cultivars. ‘Midnite’ and ‘Day Neutral’ were the two cultivars produced at the University of the Virgin Islands.
The ‘Day Neutral’ cultivar has a deep crimson-red fruiting calyx and can produce year-round but has light production during the summer months.
This cultivar flowers regardless of the day length in the Caribbean, with an 11-13 h photoperiod. ‘Midnite’ starts flowering in early fall and has a unique leaf style with dark fruit.
From anthesis, calyxes reach mature harvestable size in two weeks.
Multiple harvests can be obtained over a three- to four-month fruiting period.
Starting sorrel at three-month intervals can ensure continuous production throughout the year in the US. Virgin Islands.
Both ‘Day Neutral’ and ‘Midnite’ sorrel cultivars may have potential as a late spring crop if transplanted, or early fall crop if directly seeded in May.
Most sorrel plants are photoperiodic and produce fruit during the winter holiday season.
Sorrel calyxes are used for making flavorful deep crimson red juices, teas, sauces and jams.
Sorrel breeding has been ongoing at the University of the Virgin Islands for multiple years resulting in the release of new cultivars. ‘Midnite’ and ‘Day Neutral’ were the two cultivars produced at the University of the Virgin Islands.
The ‘Day Neutral’ cultivar has a deep crimson-red fruiting calyx and can produce year-round but has light production during the summer months.
This cultivar flowers regardless of the day length in the Caribbean, with an 11-13 h photoperiod. ‘Midnite’ starts flowering in early fall and has a unique leaf style with dark fruit.
From anthesis, calyxes reach mature harvestable size in two weeks.
Multiple harvests can be obtained over a three- to four-month fruiting period.
Starting sorrel at three-month intervals can ensure continuous production throughout the year in the US. Virgin Islands.
Both ‘Day Neutral’ and ‘Midnite’ sorrel cultivars may have potential as a late spring crop if transplanted, or early fall crop if directly seeded in May.
Authors
D.A. Richards, I.R. Charles, T.W. Zimmerman
Keywords
‘Midnite’, sorrel, roselle, hibiscus, calyx, Caribbean
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