Sunset (mango)

Photograph of mature 'Sunset' fruit

Photograph of a Sunset mango tree on the former property of Frank Adams in Bokeelia, Florida.

The 'Sunset' mango is a named mango cultivar that originated in southwest Florida.

History

The original tree was grown from a seed planted in the grove of Frank Adams in Pine Island, Florida.^[1] The variety was considered to have potential and a grafted tree was planted at the Sub-Tropical Research Station in Homestead, Florida in 1947. For decades the parentage of 'Sunset' was unknown, however a 2005 pedigree analysis estimated that 'Sunset' was a cross between the 'Haden' and 'Amini' cultivars.^[2]

'Sunset' did not become a popular commercial or nurserystock tree. Nevertheless, 'Sunset' trees are part of the collections of the USDA's germplasm repository in Miami, Florida^[3] and the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead, Florida.^[4] Recently, 'Sunset' garnered some attention when it was one of several varieties offered for public tasting at the 2010 International Mango festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

DNA analysis has indicated that 'Sunset' is likely one of the parents of the 'Maha Chanok' mango.^[5]

'Sunset' is sometimes confused with another variety named 'Sunset' (also called 'Indian Sunset') that originated on Merritt Island.

Description

The fruit has oval shape with a rounded base and apex, and usually does not have a beak. 'Sunset' mangoes average under a pound in weight at maturity and has yellow skin color, often with a dark red blush. The juicy and soft flesh is deep yellow in color with minimal fiber. It has a rich and sweet flavor and aroma, and contains a monoembryonic seed. The fruit typically ripen from June to July in Florida. The trees are very good producers.^[6]

'Sunset' trees are vigorous growers and have spreading canopies.

References

Mangoes
Mango cultivars	Alampur Baneshan Alice Alphonso Amrapali Anderson Angie Ataulfo Bailey's Marvel Began Phali Bennet Alphonso Beverly Bombay Brahm Kai Meu Brooks Carabao Carrie Chaunsa Chok anan Cogshall Cushman Dasheri Dot Duncan Earlygold Edward Eldon Emerald Fairchild Fascell Fazli Florigon Ford Gary Glenn Gold Nugget Golden Lippens Graham Gir Kesar Haden Harivanga Hatcher Himsagar Ice Cream Irwin Ivory Jakarta Jean Ellen Julie Keitt Kensington Pride Kent Lakshmanbhog Lancetilla Langra Lippens Mallika Manilita Mulgoba Osteen Palmer Parvin Raspuri Rosigold Ruby Saigon Sammar Bahisht Sensation Shan-e-Khuda Sophie Fry Southern Blush Spirit of '76 Springfels Sunset Tommy Atkins Torbert Totapuri Valencia Pride Van Dyke Young Zill
Other topics	Aamras Amchoor International Mango Festival List of mango diseases Mango pickle Mango sticky rice
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