Kent (mango)
Encyclopedia
The 'Kent' mango is a named mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.
cultivar started in September of 1932, was planted on January 1st, 1933 on the property of Leith D. Kent in Coconut Grove, Florida
. 'Kent' was reportedly a cross between 'Brooks' and 'Haden
', which a 2005 pedigree analysis supported. The tree first bore fruit in 1938. It was selected, named, and described in 1945. 'Kent' quickly rose in popularity in Florida for its excellent taste and lack of fiber. The tree was susceptible to anthracnose, however, and the fruit's poor shelf life limited its commercial scale in Florida.
'Kent' is grown on a limited commercial scale outside of the United States, particularly in Latin America. Today it is still widely grown as a nursery stock tree for home growing in Florida, where it remains popular. 'Kent' is a parent of several other Florida mangoes, including 'Young
' and possibly 'Gold Nugget
'.
'Kent' trees are planted in the collections of the USDA's germplasm repository in Miami, Florida
, the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, Florida, and the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park
, also in Homestead. The original tree still stands in Coconut Grove.
In France
'Kent' is the main imported cultivar
, with imports coming mainly from South America and Africa.
The fruit typically weighs 20 to 26 ounces, is of oval shape, and has a rich, sweet flavor. It will usually turn a greenish-yellow color with some red blush as it matures. The seed is monoembryonic and will have a tendency to spout in the fruit if left on the tree too long when ripening. The fruit typically matures from July to August in Florida, sometimes into September.
History
The original tree, a seedling of the BrooksBrooks (mango)
The Brooks' mango is a late-season commercial mango cultivar that originated in south Florida. It is a parent of several varieties from the state.- History :...
cultivar started in September of 1932, was planted on January 1st, 1933 on the property of Leith D. Kent in Coconut Grove, Florida
Coconut Grove, Florida
Coconut Grove is the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood of Miami, Florida in Miami-Dade County, United States. The neighborhood is roughly bound by North Prospect Drive to the south, LeJeune Road to the west, South Dixie Highway and Rickenbacker Causeway to the north, and Biscayne Bay to...
. 'Kent' was reportedly a cross between 'Brooks' and 'Haden
Haden (mango)
The Haden' mango is a named mango cultivar that became one of the most widely cultivated in the world after it was introduced in the early 20th century through south Florida. It would ultimately become the parent of many other mango cultivars later developed in Florida.- History :In 1902, Captain...
', which a 2005 pedigree analysis supported. The tree first bore fruit in 1938. It was selected, named, and described in 1945. 'Kent' quickly rose in popularity in Florida for its excellent taste and lack of fiber. The tree was susceptible to anthracnose, however, and the fruit's poor shelf life limited its commercial scale in Florida.
'Kent' is grown on a limited commercial scale outside of the United States, particularly in Latin America. Today it is still widely grown as a nursery stock tree for home growing in Florida, where it remains popular. 'Kent' is a parent of several other Florida mangoes, including 'Young
Young (mango)
The Young' mango, also known as the Tebow' mango, is a named mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.- History :The original tree was the result of a mango hybridization program begun in 1956 and conducted by David Sturrock of West Palm Beach, Florida. Sturrock crossed several varieties,...
' and possibly 'Gold Nugget
Gold Nugget (mango)
The Gold Nugget' mango is a named mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.- History :The original tree was grown by Edward F. Mitchell of Miami, Florida. Saigon was thought to possibly be one of the parents of 'Gold Nugget', but a 2005 pedigree analysis indicated that 'Gold Nugget' was...
'.
'Kent' trees are planted in the collections of the USDA's germplasm repository in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, Florida, and the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park
Fruit and Spice Park
The Fruit and Spice Park is a botanical garden in metropolitan Miami at 24801 SW 187 Avenue, located in the rural agricultural community of the Redland, Florida, United States.-Exhibits:...
, also in Homestead. The original tree still stands in Coconut Grove.
In France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
'Kent' is the main imported cultivar
Cultivar
A cultivar'Cultivar has two meanings as explained under Formal definition. When used in reference to a taxon, the word does not apply to an individual plant but to all those plants sharing the unique characteristics that define the cultivar. is a plant or group of plants selected for desirable...
, with imports coming mainly from South America and Africa.
Description
The tree is a vigorous grower, with a compact growth habit and an upright canopy. It can get quite tall (in excess of 30 feet) if allowed to do so. Generally produces a large crop.The fruit typically weighs 20 to 26 ounces, is of oval shape, and has a rich, sweet flavor. It will usually turn a greenish-yellow color with some red blush as it matures. The seed is monoembryonic and will have a tendency to spout in the fruit if left on the tree too long when ripening. The fruit typically matures from July to August in Florida, sometimes into September.
External links
- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8435014754824626009#docid=7119357110071153842 Video description of Kent by Dr. Jonathan Crane of the University of Florida