How are breadfruit propagated?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

August 14, 2003

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Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg) are considered true tropicals, plants requiring temperatures between 16 and 38 degrees C (60 to 100 degrees F) year-round, an annual rainfall of 200 to 250 centimeters (80 to 100 inches), and a relative humidity of 70 to 80 percent.

That is the rule-of-thumb, but breadfruit have been cultivated for so many centuries that hundreds of varieties now exist and many tolerate conditions at the extremes of the ranges.

Plant of the Week 08/11/2003

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg) Plant of the Week 08/11/2003

Breadfruit have two main lineages: seedless fruits and those with seeds sometimes called breadnuts.

Seeded varieties of breadfruit are propagated by planting the fresh seeds. Breadfruit seeds are recalcitrant, that is, once removed from the fruit, they do not remain viable beyond a few weeks. In the past, the seeds were planted where the trees were to grow.

Seedless varieties were propagated by inducing the tree to clone itself. Pacific Islanders would uncover a root of a desirable breadfruit and injure it. The damaged root grew suckers, sapling sized trees genetically identical to the parent. The strongest of the suckers was selected and tended. When it had sufficient roots to support itself, it was dug and planted elsewhere.

These clones were carried from island to island across the Pacific. Some varieties are almost as ancient as the peoples who first braved the ocean in outriggers.

Modern propagation is not far different from the method discovered by the ancient peoples. Roots from the parent tree are removed and cut into segments approximately 22 cm (9 inches). The segments are dipped in potassium permanganate to stop latex bleeding and planted horizontally in sand. The roots are kept shaded and under a misting system until sprouts have formed and grown into small saplings. ("Breadfruit", Fruits of Warm Climates, Julia F. Morton, 1987)

Breadfruit lineages are being lost to introduced diseases and pests; conservation is a must lest more varieties become extinct. The National Tropical Botanical Garden is working to save these valuable trees. To learn more about Breadfruit the conservation efforts, click on the link:

http://ntbg.org/breadfruit/index.php

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killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading:

Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg Plant of the Week - August 11, 2003
What is 'ulu? Herbal Folklore - August 11, 2003
What was William's mission? Plants that Changed History - August 12, 2003
How are breadfruit propagated? Weird Plants - August 14, 2003
Who was Parkinson? What's in a Name? - August 15, 2003
Why ghosts gather at breadfruit trees Herbal Folklore - August 18, 2003
Paradise, breadfruit, and mutiny Plants that Changed History - August 19, 2003

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