Articles
Optimizing the survival and growth of pawpaw (Asimina triloba) seedlings in temperate climates
Article number
1460_18
Pages
147 – 152
Language
English
Abstract
The North American pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a tree fruit native to the eastern US that is increasing in small-scale commercial production across the US and internationally.
Low establishment rates of field-planted pawpaws can result from small tree size, transplant shock, root damage, summer heat and drought, poor seedling acclimation from shade to sun, and lack of fertilization.
Current recommendations call for late-spring planting, but Kentucky’s wet springs often delay planting until June, when heat stress raises mortality to approximately 30%. Some growers have reported success with late-fall planting.
This study examined effect of planting date on survival and growth of pawpaws, seedlings planted at three different planting dates: early November 2020, late March 2021, and early June 2021. In March 2022, November-planted and March-planted trees had 100% survival while June-planted trees had a mortality rate of 27%. By March 2024, all dates had a survival of 27% or lower, with November and March-planted trees having a significantly higher re-sprout rate compared to June-planted trees.
In a second experiment, newly planted pawpaw trees were fertilized with either no fertilizer, urea, Osmocote 14-14-14, or Jack’s Professional 20-20-20 water-soluble fertilizer.
Trees received 18 g N tree‑1 year‑1. There was a trend for trees fertilized with Jack’s Professional to have a higher survival rate than other treatments.
Low establishment rates of field-planted pawpaws can result from small tree size, transplant shock, root damage, summer heat and drought, poor seedling acclimation from shade to sun, and lack of fertilization.
Current recommendations call for late-spring planting, but Kentucky’s wet springs often delay planting until June, when heat stress raises mortality to approximately 30%. Some growers have reported success with late-fall planting.
This study examined effect of planting date on survival and growth of pawpaws, seedlings planted at three different planting dates: early November 2020, late March 2021, and early June 2021. In March 2022, November-planted and March-planted trees had 100% survival while June-planted trees had a mortality rate of 27%. By March 2024, all dates had a survival of 27% or lower, with November and March-planted trees having a significantly higher re-sprout rate compared to June-planted trees.
In a second experiment, newly planted pawpaw trees were fertilized with either no fertilizer, urea, Osmocote 14-14-14, or Jack’s Professional 20-20-20 water-soluble fertilizer.
Trees received 18 g N tree‑1 year‑1. There was a trend for trees fertilized with Jack’s Professional to have a higher survival rate than other treatments.
Authors
J.D. Lowe, J. Vincent, S.B. Crabtree, A. Chaudhary, K. Broberg, K.W. Pomper
Keywords
field establishment, survival, fertilizer, transplant shock
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