Loquat

Eriobotrya japonica

Family: Rosaceae

Quick stats

Family	Rosaceae
Typical harvest	13.3 t/ha
Varieties	4
Pests & diseases	7
Seasons	3

Crop profile

Growth habit	tree
Days to harvest	perennial
Main uses	Fresh fruit; processing (jams, juices); rootstock/scion material
Pollination	insect
Origin / where it grows	Origin East Asia; adapted to cool subtropics and highland tropics

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	12–25 °C
Rainfall	800–1400 mm/yr
Altitude	0–2200 m
Best pH	6–6.8
Soil type	Deep, well-drained loam; high organic matter
Row spacing	600 cm
Plant spacing	600 cm
Seed rate	kg/ha (check local recommendation)
Nursery days	—

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop has a growth habit described as "tree". You can normally start harvesting about perennial days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for fresh fruit; processing (jams, juices); rootstock/scion material.

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Origin East Asia; adapted to cool subtropics and highland tropics It is grouped under: Fruits & Nuts.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 12 and 25 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 800 to 1400 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2200 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 6.8. It does well in deep, well-drained loam; high organic matter. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 600 centimetres apart, and leave about 600 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Seed or planting material: Use good quality seed or healthy planting material. Follow local extension advice for the exact amount per hectare.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Plant at onset of rains or with irrigation. Use grafted cultivars on well-drained sites. Incorporate compost and a starter P source.

Transplanting: Stake young trees; mulch; protect from wind and frost during establishment.

Irrigation: Keep evenly moist, especially from flowering through fruit fill. Reduce stress to limit fruit drop and cracking.

Fertigation: Split N into several light feeds; supply K and Ca during fruiting; use leaf/soil analysis to refine.

Pest scouting: Scout for fruit flies, scales, aphids, scab, sooty mold; bag fruit or use bait/traps as needed.

Pruning: Open center/modified leader; thin crowded shoots after harvest to improve light and reduce disease.

Harvest: Harvest when fully colored (yellow-orange) and slightly soft. Handle gently to avoid bruising.

Postharvest: Cool quickly; store 5–10 °C at high RH; short shelf life—market promptly.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at planting	0	Compost + DAP 18-46-0 (light)	5 kg/tree (compost) + 100 g DAP	N: —, P₂O₅: 10, K₂O: —	Mix well into backfill; avoid root burn
2	Vegetative split N	60	CAN 26% N	150 g/tree	N: 10, P₂O₅: —, K₂O: —	Apply in ring under canopy; water in
3	Pre-bloom feed	240	NPK 17-17-17	200 g/tree	N: 10, P₂O₅: 10, K₂O: 10	Light, balanced dose before flowering
4	Fruit fill K boost	300	MOP (KCl) or SOP (preferred)	200 g/tree	N: —, P₂O₅: —, K₂O: 15	SOP preferred on chloride-sensitive sites
5	Micronutrient foliar (opt.)	270	Ca/B/Zn foliar (as label)	0 —	N: —, P₂O₅: —, K₂O: —	Apply during cool hours; improves set/skin

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Basal	40	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Basal	30	kg/ha
K₂O	Basal	60	kg/ha
N	Establishment	20	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Establishment	20	kg/ha
K₂O	Establishment	20	kg/ha
N	Vegetative	40	kg/ha
K₂O	Vegetative	30	kg/ha
N	Flower_set	15	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Flower_set	20	kg/ha
K₂O	Flower_set	30	kg/ha
N	Fruit_fill	10	kg/ha
K₂O	Fruit_fill	40	kg/ha
N	Maintenance	30	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Maintenance	10	kg/ha
K₂O	Maintenance	30	kg/ha

Field images (picha shambani)

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Local Loquat	KE	900	Highland adapted
Mogi	KE	240	Early; sweet; medium fruit
Tanaka	KE	270	Large fruit; good flavor
Advance	TZ	260	Early to mid-season; productive

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	Compost (well-decomposed)	5000	Applied in basins/mulch rings
Vegetative	CAN 26% N	80	Split 2–3 times per year
Fruit fill	Sulfate of potash (SOP)	60	Prefer SOP over MOP for fruit quality

Name	Type	Symptoms	Management
Fruit moths	pest	Fruit damage	Bagging; pheromone traps
Fruit flies (Tephritidae)	pest	Sting marks; larval tunnels; fruit drop	Protein baiting, field sanitation, fruit bagging, harvest on time
Scale insects	pest	Sooty mold from honeydew; weakening twigs	Prune for airflow; conserve predators; oil sprays
Aphids	pest	Curling leaves; honeydew/sooty mold	Control ants; soft insecticides if needed
Loquat scab	disease	Olive/brown lesions on fruit/leaves	Prune to open canopy; protectants during wet spells
Blossom blight	disease	Brown flowers; poor set in wet/cool periods	Airflow, canopy thinning; fungicide if persistent
Bird damage	pest	Pecked fruit; losses at maturity	Netting, scare tactics, selective harvest

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
orchard	12	6	20
smallholder rainfed	10	6	15	Bearing orchards; 20–40 kg/tree
irrigated/intensive	18	12	25	Good cultivars and nutrition

Country	Region	Planting	Harvest
KE	Highlands	Mar–Apr	Feb–Apr
KE	Highlands (alt)	Oct–Nov	Jun–Aug
ET	Highland tropics	Jun–Jul	Feb–Apr

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Frost-prone valleys (bloom)	Low
KE	Highlands	High
KE	Highlands & cool mid-altitudes	High
KE	Hot lowlands (>28 °C)	Low
TZ	Northern highlands	High
UG	Highland slopes	High