Fukuda Mango: Hawaii’s Keitt Seedling

Introduction

The Fukuda mango, a cultivar originating from Hawaii, is a seedling of the Keitt variety. It was once considered to have commercial potential due to its productivity and fruit quality.

Origins and Development

The Fukuda mango emerged in Hawaii as a seedling of the Keitt variety. Keitt mangos are known for their late-season harvest and minimal fiber content, traits that Fukuda inherited. The cultivar was named ‘Fukuda’ and was noted for its productivity and potential for commercial cultivation in Hawaii.

Unique Characteristics

Fukuda mangos are medium-sized, oval-shaped fruits that turn a whitish-yellow color upon ripening. The flesh is dark yellow, firm, and contains scanty fiber, offering a smooth texture. The flavor is described as a mild-to-medium bodied classic mango taste, appealing to those who favor traditional mango flavors.

Growth Regions and Tree Characteristics

The Fukuda mango tree exhibits a lanky growth habit with long internodes and an open canopy, similar to its parent, the Keitt. This structure can make the tree more susceptible to certain diseases, as the open canopy may not provide adequate protection against environmental factors.

Flavor Profile

The flavor of the Fukuda mango is characterized as a mild-to-medium bodied classic mango taste. While it may not have the intense sweetness or complexity of other cultivars, it offers a pleasant and traditional mango flavor that can be enjoyed by a wide range of consumers.

Cultural Significance

Although the Fukuda mango was once considered to have commercial potential in Hawaii, its susceptibility to diseases like rot and bacterial black spot limited its widespread adoption. As a result, it remains a lesser-known variety, primarily maintained by enthusiasts and in collections for grafting purposes.

Additional Information

Due to its susceptibility to rot and bacterial black spot, the original Fukuda mango tree at Tropical Acres Farms was top-worked, leaving only a few branches to produce grafted trees. This decision reflects the challenges growers face when cultivating varieties prone to disease, even when the fruit quality is favorable.

Mango Characteristics

• Taste: Classic
• Sweetness: Good
• Sourness: Mild
• Fiber: Little
• Fruit Size: Medium
• Eaten Green: No
• Production: Good
• Season: Mid
• Growth Habit: Vigorous
• Tree Size: Large
• Disease Resistance: Poor
• Seed Type: Monoembryonic