Collection Status: Cultivar is present at AFFN
Planted on Oct 26, 2025
Common Name: Pawpaw
Parental Cross:
Geographic Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky
Finder/Creator: Kentucky State University
Known Sources: One Green World, Kentucky State University
Alternative Names: KSU (7-5)
Notes: Discovered 2005, released 2016. Another variety newly introduced by the Kentucky State University breeding program, KSU-Benson Pawpaw ™ is prized for it incredibly heavy crops of 150 or more fruits per tree with a rich and delicious flavor. This pawpaw variety is a high yielding, round, medium-sized fruit of the early season ripening variety. It has a unique mango, banana, pineapple like flavor. Also unique about this Pawpaw is that it bears round fruit that are attractive and can also be packed easily. Early ripening. Slow to establish, less productive after 20 years, 16 BRIX.
This is the second Pawpaw cultivar released from the Kentucky State University Pawpaw Breeding program was named in honor of Dr. Harold R. Benson who served as director of the Land Grant Program for more than 36 years. Dr. Benson supported the KSU pawpaw research program from its beginning back in 1990. The first cultivar, KSU-Atwood TM, is named for Rufus B. Atwood, former president of Kentucky State College (now University) from 1929-1962 who led efforts to desegregated education in Kentucky in the 1940s. (KSU 7-5 cultivar); Phyllosticta resistance: resistant, Fruit Shape: round, Freestone: no, Seediness: high 6-9%Self-fruitful: no, Prizes: