Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.), an Underutilized Fruit Crop with Potential Nutritional Value for Cultivation in the United States of America: A Review
Satya S. S. Narina *
Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA
Christopher J. Catanzaro
Department of Agriculture and Plant Science/Horticulture, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Tamarind is a perennial fruit crop revealing its potential as a viable resource vegetable of excellent nutrition. The late flowering types of tamarind are best suitable for cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, which include the warmer portions of California, Arizona, Alabama, Mississippi, New Mexico, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida. Germplasm introduction and evaluation trials will help to enhance cold hardiness, create variability in available genetic resource, and enable increased production of tamarind for various purposes.
Keywords: Indian date, cultivation, perennial, fruit, vegetable, ornamental, nutritional value