Farmers in Taif, in western Saudi Arabia, are aiming looking at investing in the cultivation of a fruit native to South America. Growers in the governorate have been turning their attention to the business potential of producing the pepino plant, known for its sweet taste similar to mangoes and melons.
Naif Al-Maliki, who studies rare plants, noted that pepino (solanum muricatum) originated from Chile and Peru. He said: “It grows to around one meter in length. It is found at high altitudes in tropical and humid regions and can also be grown at high altitudes in subtropical regions. It grows under direct sunlight in areas where the temperature ranges between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, with a tolerance of up to 30 degrees Celsius, and thrives in light and medium sandy soil, as well as well-draining clay soil. It can also be grown in moderately fertile soil.”
Source: arabnews.com