GROWING MUSANG KING DURIAN FOR QUALITY

THE GROWING OF MUSANG KING TECHNIQUE are an important factors to determine the fruit quality. Currently the farmers who wish to grow durian trees especially the premium variety known as ‘Musang King’ or D197 have been reminded to learn the right planting techniques and to plant different varieties in order to achieve the best quality. From my farm visit and an observation with an expert from the Serdang Agriculture Department Horticulture Division assistant director known asa Mohd Auzaie recently informed that although Musang King in which also known as “Raja Kunyit” is the most sought after durian among customers. Most farmers were recommended to grow at least three varieties of durians in the same farm. If farmers want to plant 100 durian trees my advice is that they can adopt the mixed cultivation concept involving three types on the 60:20:20 ratio namely 60 Musang King and 20 each from the other varieties such asa D24, D16, D2, D200 and many others local varieties for better pollination process. From as many as more than 500 article on durian in my blog, I recommend that the mix include popular durian such as Durian D24 otherwise known as “Bukit Merah” or the ‘Sultan’, Durian Tembaga and D168 (IOI or localy known as Hajah Hasmah) durians. From my visit to an Musang King Orchard in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan recently the farmers able to first harvesting for Musang King in less than 5 years tree (See photo above). Technically the durian trees should be at least 10 metres apart and that the mixed cultivation technique was important to ensure a smooth pollination process and to achieve a better yield by not having to rely on a single type. Actually commercial Musang King durian farmers can also grow the D99 or “Cop Kecil” for good harvests and in fact it has a longer fruiting period than other varieties. Farmers needed to be extra sensitive to the condition of the saplings and look out for pest threats such as termites, stem borer beetles and leaf-eating insects, as well as stake precautionary measures by spraying pesticides and using appropriate fertilizers to increase their defense mechanism. Saplings should also be protected from being exposed to too much to sun and if they grow healthy so that the farmers can harvest as early as five years. Normally in Malaysia the durian season is July to December for peak production. From farm observation in which a vigorous young durian tree able to  produce about 20 durians the first time. Later stage there are more fruits will be produced reported up to 50 durians per tree when it reaches the 10th year onwards. In order to ensure that the fruits are of the highest quality and can be exported overseas the farmers should install safety nets at the bottom part of each tree to ensure that falling durians would not hit the ground, causing broken or split fruits. Without the nets, the fruit will fall and roll over on the ground. This will reduce its value as durians with soil residue found on the skin is not accepted for export. Thanks...

By,

M Anem,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

July 2022.