2017 ASHS Annual Conference

The North American pawpaw [Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal] is a native tree-fruit that is in the early stages of commercial production. The pawpaw fruit has fresh market appeal for farmers markets, community supported agriculture, and organic markets, as well as processing potential for frozen pulp production. Although there are approximately 50 pawpaw cultivars available, many pawpaw varieties tend to be low yielding and have small fruit size of less than 120 grams.  Kentucky State University has a pawpaw breeding program that has already released the variety KSU-Atwood^TM. The KSU pawpaw breeding program has now announced the release of a second new North American pawpaw variety, KSU Benson^TM (KSU7-5 cultivar). This pawpaw variety is a high yielding, round, medium-sized fruit that is an early season ripening variety. It has an appealing mango-, banana-, pineapple-like flavor. This selection is unique in that it bears round fruit that are attractive and can also be packed easily. Fruit of KSU-Benson^TM averages about 180 g per fruit, which is similar to the industry standard cultivar Sunflower. However, the percentage of seed for fruit of KSU-Benson^TM averages only 6.4%, whereas the percent seed of Sunflower averages 8.7% seed by weight. This new release is named in honor of Dr. Harold R. Benson who served as director of the KSU Land Grant Program for more than 36 years. Dr. Benson supported the KSU pawpaw research program from its beginning, from its founding by Dr. Brett Callaway in 1990 to its expansion under Dr. Desmond Layne from 1993 to 1998. The program has since undergone rapid expansion under the leadership of Dr. Kirk Pomper, Director of the Land Grant Program and professor of horticulture at KSU, since 1998. A number of nurseries will soon be licensed to sell KSU-Benson^TM trees next year.