Orange Pamelo, the Abandoned Native Tropical Fruits of Indonesia

Researchers of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Prof. SlametSusantorevealed  somecultivarsof seedless Orange Pamelo. Those cultivars are Bali merah 2, Jawa1  danMuria 1. Prof. SlametSusanto, stated that Orange Pamelo, a crisp citrus fruit,is classified as  theparthenocarpy fruits (literally meaning virgin fruit) is the natural or artificially induced production of fruit without fertilization of ovules.The fruit is therefore seedless. This statement was stated in the Press Conference prior he delivered his Orationfor his professor Chair, on Friday, 6 July 2013, at IPB campus.

 

Furthermore, Prof.Slametstated that Orange Pamelois nativeto Indonesia that currently have high economic value in the international market, but farmersrarely growing these types of orange. Many people assume that Orange Pamelois similar to the Orange Bali.In fact Orange Pomelo is one of Pamelo cultivars native to Indonesia. Pamelo production is still low, it is only about 5 percent of total citrus productionsthat reach 2.2 million tons, thus they are likely to be absorbedby the local market. 

 

Moreover, the growing area for such citrus is still limited in certainregions of Indonesia such asMagetan, Pangkajene and Aceh Islands. Orange Pamelois also found in several other areas such as Jambi, West Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and Banyuwangi.

 

So far, 24 cultivars of Orange Pamelo are known to public. Out of those cultivars Srinyonya, PankepPuih and Maria Sigolagolaare known to have very good taste. As stated earlier that some Orange Pameloare seedless, but these cultivars have not been bred. In addition to have high economic value the international market, the health benefits of Orange Pamelothat contain vitamin C, antioxidant, anticancer are able to dissolve cholesterol and useful to increase endurance. Professor in Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB, stated also that only a few developed farmers are willing to growthis species of citrus. As developing good Orange Pamelo growing requires encouragement and guidance from the government, especially its cultivation and marketing.(Wied).