In 2009, KSU-Atwood became the first cultivar to be released from Kentucky State University’s Pawpaw breeding program. The fruit was selected at KSU’s research farm as a seedling from Maryland. The release is named for Rufus B. Atwood, who served as president of Kentucky State College (now university) from 1929 to 1962,“ KSU reports. This was seedling originally from Maryland. Developed at Kentucky State University’s pawpaw breeding program, led by Professor Kirk Pomper.
The Fruit
Fruit medium fleshiness, few seeds.
Fruit Quality excellent and clean tasting.
Fruit’s skin color when ripe greenish-blue.
Fruit Flavor rich mango / tropical fruit.
Fruit texture creamy and smooth.
Flesh color yellow-orange.
Fruit size medium, round, averaging 120g (4.25 oz.) per fruit
Production very productive. 150 fruits per year, per tree when mature.
Additional information
Botanical name Asimina triloba ‘KSU-Atwood’
Aroma fruity.
Grafted Yes. On faster growing, specialty rootstock.
Ripening season mid-season.
Mature Height 15-20ft.
Mature Width 15-20ft.
Pollination requirements Plant 2 or more different varieties 8-15ft. apart
Yield Plant 2 or more different varieties 8-15ft. apart
Disease / Insect Highly resistant to Phyllosticta, a fungus causing brown spots on fruit. No major insect problems.
