“Tropical fruit production has become a prominent practice in Miami-Dade County,” says Ariel Freidenreich. They are in Zones 10 and up. TOPICS: Agriculture American Society of Agronomy Biodiversity Food Science. When cut in a cross-section, the slices often look like stars. Star Fruit can be juiced and is even better when combined with the pulp of fresh picked Acerola. Read the latest reviews on our favorite products. By American Society of Agronomy December 17, 2019. "The Arkin variety is the most popular and widely planted in south Florida. One researcher from Florida International University is researching how cover crops can help the sustainability of star fruit farms. by David The Good February 12, 2015 July 25, 2015. written by David The Good February 12, 2015 July 25, 2015. A new study provides a path forward for sustainable growth of an underrated exotic fruit: the starfruit, or carambola. Similarly, the avocado industry, worth over $50 million in Florida alone, has been suffering from a disease called laurel wilt, which has killed thousands of trees in the past few years. New research from Florida International University attempted to grow starfruit using cover crops to help with soil health. Both are in the legume family and can take nitrogen from the air and metabolize it into a plant nutrient. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Cover crop mulches might insulate the roots of carambola trees.”. One researcher from Florida International University is researching how cover crops can help the sustainability of star fruit farms. Typically known as the starfruit in the United States, thanks to its unique shape which resembles a star when cut in slices, the fruit is native to Southeast Asia. “We established cover crops within this young carambola stand to enhance overall soil quality,” says Freidenreich. It also diversifies the income stream for growers. Move Over Oranges, Star Fruit May Be the New ‘Star’ of Florida Agriculture . But there have been hard times for Florida citrus lately, which has led to an examination of the Sunshine State’s other fruit crops. Also called carambola, star fruit is native to Southeast Asia but has been grown in Florida for over 100 years. The disease destroys the production, appearance, and economic value of citrus trees and their fruit, and there is no cure. A disease known as citrus greening is decimating Florida’s citrus groves, and there is no known cure for it yet; researchers, as one to flat-out save the Florida citrus industry from destruction. But there have been hard times for Florida citrus lately, which has led to an examination of the Sunshine State’s other fruit crops. Cover cropping should improve the soil organic matter. provides a path forward for sustainable growth of an underrated exotic fruit: the starfruit, or carambola. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. “It should also improve soil structure and microbial interaction. Starfruit isn’t exempt from that; the recent discovery of the Oriental fruit fly is, But starfruit is tolerant of most weather and soil conditions, as long as it gets enough water, and produces quite a large yield from a medium-sized tree; up to 180kg of fruit per year from one tree, according to. Returning the ‘three sisters’ – corn, beans and squash – to Native... Farmworker Groups Ask for Prioritization in COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout, New VICE Show Tackles Food Issues Around the World, Things We Love: CleverMade Snapbasket Cooler, Things We Love: Republic of Tea Daily Greens Single Sips. Freidenreich recently presented her research at the 2019 International Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America. South Florida isn’t quite a perfect environment for the starfruit; the ecosystem there is slightly cooler and drier than the starfruit finds in Southeast Asia, which means that it’s vital to figure out a way to grow the crop sustainably. I will ship it with its pot. Establishing crops like star fruit will help diversify the biological system of a farm. That’s towards the high end for a mature, ten-year-old citrus tree.