Domestication and Improvement of Kunzea pomifera

The Australian native shrub species Kunzea pomifera F.Muell. (muntries) occurs in south-eastern South Australia and far western Victoria on sandy calcareous soils and is generally of prostrate habit. It produces edible berries of commercial potential, which are borne on the apical meristems of the plant in clusters of 3 to 9. The berries are succulent and range in size from 5 to 13 mm in diameter. They are mottled in colour from green, red to purple and possess a unique apple-like flavour. Kunzea pomifera was sampled across the area of its natural distribution as cuttings, which were then grown in replication in the outdoor production area at Burnley College, University of Melbourne. Variation in plant habit, leaf and fruit traits, flowering time, and the nature of the breeding system were examined. Variation in plant and fruit traits are discussed in terms of the scope for breeding muntries for commercial production. Characters considered important in muntries improvement are, upright habit, wider soil-type tolerance, condensed flowering period, and consistent fruit qualities. These studies led to the proposal of an ideotype (ideal plant form) for the commercial production of muntries