Evaluation of (Synsepalum dulcificum) Growth and Productivity in Response to Media Formulation

Synsepalum dulcificum (Miracle Berry), is an evergreen tropical shrub, native to the West Africa region, and is known for its taste modifying properties. The berry contains a homodimeric glycoprotein called miraculin that binds to the taste receptors and converts sour stimuli to sweetness. Little research has been conducted on the production requirements of this plant due to its current lack of popularity as a horticultural crop. In our earlier research, germination percentage, rate, and uniformity in response to scarification and seed coat removal were evaluated. Seedlings resulting from that project produced anywhere from 1 to 4 shoots branching out from the seed. Shoot number data was collected from all 127 seedlings at 75, 82, and 110 days post-emergence. Removing seed coats prior to germination resulted in a significantly higher rate of seedlings with multiple shoots (37.4%) compared to seedlings germinated from intact seeds (8.7%) and seeds scarified with sulfuric acid (2.6%).  Seedlings with varying numbers of shoots were selected and transplanted into various media ratio mixtures to evaluate the effects of different media on plant growth. The first ratio was a 2:1 ratio of sphagnum peat moss and perlite. The second ratio was 1:1 ratio of perlite and sphagnum peat moss. The third ratio was a 1:1 ratio of sphagnum peat moss and ground pine bark. The fourth was a 1:1 ratio of perlite and ground pine bark. All treatments were provided a standard fertilizer regime.  The Virginia Tech Pour-thru method was used every two weeks to assess nutrient uptake and media pH changes. Relative growth rates were calculated every 4 weeks. The health and productivity was assessed using a Li-Cor portable CO₂ and water vapor infrared gas analyzer. This equipment measures ET and plant net photosynthesis. Plants grown in the different media treatments differed significantly in growth. These results provide growers with practical information regarding propagation and growth of this potential crop.