Environmental Requirements

Daylength. The plant is apparently not greatly restricted by daylength because it yields fruit well both near the equator and at high latitudes (in New Zealand, for example).

Rainfall. At least 800 mm of moisture is necessary during the growing season. Greater amounts (up to 4,300 mm have been reported if soil drainage is good) increase yield, although excessive moisture can promote diseases as well as hamper fruit set (probably because it decreases pollination).

Altitude. Apparently unimportant. The fruit is grown from sea level in New Zealand, for instance, to 2,600 m near the equator in the Andes.

Low Temperature. Some tolerance to light frost has been noted, but plantings will not prosper when night temperatures are consistently lower than about 10°C.

High Temperature. Heat apparently does not inhibit fruit setting. In Hawaii, the plant produces fruit where day temperatures are in the range of 27–30°C.

Soil Type. The plant is fairly adaptable to a wide variety of soils (pH 4.5–8.2), most notably highly weathered tropical latosols. ¹⁶ Fertile, well-drained, sandy soil is preferred, although vegetative growth can overwhelm fruit production if soils are too rich.