Yellow mombin plum - Spondias mombin

Description and Uses

Spondias mombin (Yellow mombin plum) is a tropical tree from Mexico. It is mainly grown for its fruit crops (medium shelflife), but also Other uses include; apiculture, cosmetics, edible leave shoot, fodder, fruit, fuel, medicinal, oil and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by ground gathering. It starts flowering after 5 - 6 years. The first yield will be 7m stem in 5yrs but in its top season there will be a yield of 100 kg/tree. Array. Medical uses include; Array The bark contains niacit (vitamine B3) (2.7 mg - 2.9 mg/100g). There is Yellow mombin seed oil extracted by expeller pressing from the tree`s seed/nut yielding 30 - 32% oil. The tree`s wood is called yellow mombin and has a density of 390 - 410 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is fast, its energetic value is 4500 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 15 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Spondias mombin has a lifespan of 40 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 30 meters tall. It is fast growing and tolerates not less light than partial shade. Spondias mombin has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations Glomus clarum,Glomus mosseae (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by bees. Spondias mombin is evergreen and not allelopathic and has no thorns.

Spondias mombin thrives in an altitude of 50 to 2000 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is -1°C and optimally between 17 - 26°C. The optimal rainfall is 3800 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 1300 - 5000 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 4.0 - 7.0 in a soil texture of clay. To salt it is intolerant to wind intolerant and to fire intolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

Anastrepha mombinpraeoptans,Atta cephalotes,Drosiphila ampelophila,Drosiphila repleta and Blue stain fungi,Root rot diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are recalcitrant and can be stored for 2 months. There are approximative 125000 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds dry at room temperature before chilling period., (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing., (3) press the seeds twice its size in the soil soil.

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