Prakash Chandra Tripathi*

Prospects

Some unique fruits for home garden

India has a rich and varied heritage of biodiversity, encompassing a wide spectrum
of habitats from tropical rainforests to alpine vegetation and from temperate
forests to coastal wetlands. Several fruit plant species have originated in Indian
subcontinent. Apart from indigenous fruits, several fruits were introduced in India
from South America, Africa, Europe, South East Asian countries during last four
centuries. Some of the unique minor fruits which are suitable for the backyard
garden in tropical and sub-tropical regions are described herewith.

Barbados cherry December under Bengaluru conditions. A grown up shrub

Barbados cherry (Malpighia marginata syn. Malpighia may yield 15-25 kg fruit /year. Slightly immature fruits
glabra) belongs to family Malpighiaceae. It is native to may be harvested for processing. Barbados cherries are
South America and Central America. It is grown over all eaten mainly as fresh but can be used for making candies
tropical regions of the world. It was introduced in India and fruit wines.
long back and found growing in most of the tropical
and sub-tropical humid regions of the country. It is an Bilimbi
evergreen, bushy shrub or small tree attaining up to 5 m Bilimbi, Averrhoa bilimbi L., (Oxalidaceae), is close
height. It has very short stem and spreading/ dropping relative of carambola. It is cultivated throughout South
branches. The flowers are pink and sessile. The fruits are and South East Asia native region. In India, it is grown in
borne singly or in cluster of 2-3 in the leaf axils. Fruits tropical region, except higher hills. The tree is attractive,
are oblate to round, cherry-like 1.25-2.5 cm diameter, perennial which may grow up to 4-6 m height. It has a
bright-red coloured. The pulp is orange coloured, juicy short trunk giving rise to several upright branches. The
and sour. The fruits are very rich in vitamin C (Table 1). stem is smooth. The leaves are compound and leaflets
There is no variety of Barbados cherry in India. The tree are light green in colour. The tree starts flowering after
grows in well drained clay to loamy soil. It is generally 2-3 years of planting. The flowers are small, fragrant,
propagated by seeds, air layering and cutting. The seed yellowish-green or purplish, marked with dark-purple,
germination is about 50-60 per cent. About 300 g mixture are borne in small, hairy panicles emerging directly from
of N.P.K (8-8-13) to young plant and 2 kg to adult plants the trunk and old branches. Fruit are borne in clusters.
may be given two times a year for better growth and These are nearly cylindrical, smooth, 6-10 cm long and
yield. The flowering and fruiting start ripening in April- 2-3 cm in diameter. The fruit is crisp when unripe, turns
May and continue to produce successive small crops until from bright-green to yellowish-green when ripe. The fruit
rind is glossy, thin, soft and
tender, and pulp is greenish
a b yellow, jelly-like, juicy and
extremely acid. There are 5-7
seeds per fruit, wide, smooth
and brown. It requires humid
tropical conditions with good
sunshine. Bilimbi grows best
in rich, moist, well-drained
soil. The tree is multiplied
by seed and air-layering.
The tree begins to flower
in February – March and
then blooms and fruits more
or less continuously until
December. The fruits are
picked by hand, singly or in
clusters. They need gentle
Fruiting twig of Barbados cherry (a) and ripe fruits (b)

Turn to page 34
 ISO 9001:2015 Organization

May–June 2021
Published bimonthly, Vol. 66, No. 3

C O NTEN TS
Some unique fruits for home garden Cover II
Cover : Carambola (Star fruit)
Prakash Chandra Tripathi
Courtesy : ICAR-Indian Institute of
Horticultural Research, Bengaluru Our Guest Speaks 2
Seasonality chart of underutilized fruits found in the Eastern Himalayas 3
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Thejangulie Angami and L Wangchu
Chairman Ascorbic acid for reducing foliage discoloration in cut chrysanthemum 7
• Dr A K Singh Varun M Hiremath and Ritu Jain
Members High density planting system in apple using clonal rootstock: A 10
• T Janakiram • PL Saroj profitable venture
Rajender Kumar, Himanshu Thakur, Sakshi Singh
• B Singh • Nirmal Babu
and Nidhi Sharma
• DB Singh • Vishal Nath
• AK Srivastava • BS Tomar Morphogenetic diversity in DBM-4 accession of jal brahmi 14
Parmeshwar L. Saran and Hiteksha I. Damor
• Arvind Kumar Singh • SK Singh
Yamuna Purple-10 (G-404): A new promising garlic variety 16
Member-Secretary
B K Dubey and P K Gupta
• Ravindra Verma
Indigenous (traditional) vegetables as food and medicine in Adi 18
community of East Siang (Pasighat), Arunachal Pradesh
Editor : Ravindra Verma
Md. Ramjan and Kripa Shankar
Associates : Vivek Chauhan,
Urvashi Tomar Ziziphus jujube Miller – A fast vanishing minor fruit plant of Kashmir, 22
India
Design & Production : Punit Bhasin
Sheikh M Sultan, Susheel Kumar Raina, Suheel Ahmad
and Sheeraz Salim Bhat
Project Director (DKMA) : SK Singh Microgreens: An ultimate superfood 26
and Incharge (EEU) Kalpana Yadav
Editor : Ravindra Verma Cultivating Garden pea in Punjab 29
Incharge, Production Unit : Punit Bhasin Arti Verma
Livelihood security of small and marginal farmers through Ocimum 31
Editorial Contact: cultivation
Telephone: 011-2584 1004, 2584 2828/620 Priyanka Suryavanshi and Dipender Kumar
Fax: 011-2584 1282
Pusa Gynoecious Cucumber Hybrid-18 40
E-mail: [email protected] A D Munshi, T K Behera, Amish K Sureja, B S Tomar, J Singh
and S S Dey
Business, Subscription and
Carambola (Star fruit) at a glance Cover III
Advertisement Contact:
T Janakiram
JP Upadhye, Incharge, Business Unit,
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 Our Guest Speaks

Root and tuber crops for combating

Covid-19 pandemic

T HE Covid-19 pandemic that has gripped the world in recent months constitutes a major challenge to food and
nutrition security of vulnerable populations. Micro-nutrients especially zinc and vitamins boost the immunity of
the Covid-19 sufferers. The Covid-19 pandemic should be seen as a wake-up call for humanity, to reflect, rethink and
redesign dietary food systems that are safe, healthy, sustainable, and beneficial to all. It has rendered the consumers
to contemplate and explore natural dietary food for improving their immunity levels. Root and tuber crops (RTC) are
rich in dietary fibres, minerals and vitamins. They can help to improve household diet diversity and address minerals
and vitamin deficiencies. The RTC based food can improve resilience of communities to withstand the challenge posed
by pandemic in general, and Covid-19 in particular.
The RTC provide a substantial part of the world’s food supply. They contribute 6% of the average daily calorific
intake of human beings. The RTC include sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.], cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.),
yams (Dioscorea spp.), elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson), taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.)
Schott.), yam bean [Pachyrrhizus erosus (L.) Urb.], arrowroot (Maranta arundinaceae L.), etc.
Sweet potatoes have anti-inflammatory properties which are primarily due to the presence of β-carotene, anthocyanin,
vitamin C and magnesium. Anthocyanin enriched sweet potato (Variety Bhu Krishna contains 95 mg anthocyanin per
100 g fresh tubers) may protect against colorectal cancer due to its anti-proliferative abilities. Vitamin A malnutrition
is a major public health concern of the developing countries and is responsible for night blindness. The β-carotene is
a precursor of vitamin A. The orange fleshed sweet potato variety Bhu Sona is having 14 mg β-carotene per 100 g of
fresh tuber. Sweet potato is rich in dietary fibre; it promotes the digestive health, reduce the risk of ulcers and colon
cancers. Cassava roots have bioactive compounds namely, cyanogenic glucosides such as linamarin and lotaustralin,
noncyanogenic glucosides, hydroxycoumarins such as scopoletin, terpenoids and flavonoids. Cassava boosts energy
level, ensures healthy weight gain, helps to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular diseases.
Yams are valuable source of carbohydrates, fibres and low level fat, which makes them a good dietary source.
Yams stimulate the proliferation of gastric epithelial cells and enhance digestive enzyme activities in the small intestine.
Diosgenin, a steroidal saponin of yam demonstrated antioxidative and hypolipidemic affects in vivo. Steroidal saponin
of yams is used for drugs production such as dioscin, gracilin and prosapogenin. Elephant foot yam corms are a highly
nutritive vegetable and contains calcium, phosphorous, iron and crude fibre. The corms contain glucose, galactose
and rhamnose, flavonoids, phenols, coumarins, terpenoids, sterols, tannins, steroids and alkaloids. The corms are used
traditionally for ailments like elephantiasis, tumors, hemorrhages, cough, bronchitis, asthma, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea,
seminal weakness, fatigue and anemia. Amblyone (a triterpenoid) and 3, 5-diacetylambulin (a flavonoid) has been isolated
from its corms and have possible antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities. Taro leaves are rich in anti-oxidants
and fibre, which makes them an excellent food to promote a healthy body weight. Regular consumption of taro leaf
has been associated with reduction in risk of heart disease. Taro cormels contain starch, zinc, vitamin C, thiamine,
riboflavin and niacin. Taro lowers risks of developing diabetes, reduces risks of lung and oral cancer.
The RTC are very high yielders. Cassava and elephant foot yam yields up to 60 tonnes/ha. The RTC have extensive
agro-ecological adaptability and are capable enough to withstand biotic and abiotic stresses. Cassava and greater yam
are resistant to drought and high temperature, and taro has flood tolerance. Sweet potato can tolerate flash floods
and mid-season drought, and this crop is considered as ‘famine relief crop’. Hence, the RTC are not only treasure
house of biomolecules, minerals and vitamins, but also climate smart food crops which can provide food and nutrition
security to burgeoning population. Thus, RTC are aptly potential food crops for combating contagious pandemic
diseases like Covid-19.

M. Nedunchezhiyan
Head
Regional Centre of ICAR-CTCRI
Bhubaneswar, Odisha

2 Indian Horticulture
 Thejangulie Angami*
Prospects and L Wangchu

Seasonality chart of underutilized fruits

found in the Eastern Himalayas

Nature in its generous abundance has bestowed the Eastern Himalayan region
with a unique array of vegetation ranging from tropical and sub-tropical to
temperate. The region has varied agro-climatic conditions supporting the growth of
various plant species giving it a rich biological diversity. The article reports on the
documentation of wild underutilized edible fruits species found in the entire region
of North east India and its thorough observation on the time of flowering and fruit
availability or fruit maturity which is paramount. A total of 44 underutilized fruit
species represented by 21 families were listed and sampled from varied locations
of the region in which Rosaceae family represented the highest with 6 species.
Developing a seasonality chart or calendar will identify the timing of different
seasons for locally available fruit species. The chart can also be used as a guide
to explore different underutilized fruits throughout the year.

T HE Eastern Himalayan region of India stretching

between 21°50’ and 29°34’ N latitude and 85°34’
and 97°50’ E longitude spreading over an area of
significantly in the livelihood security of several ethnic
tribal communities of the region. The ethnic tribal till
the present time have excellent knowledge in the use
2,620,230 sq km comprises Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, of almost all the fruit tree species found in the forests
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and as a source of food, medicine and timber and they have
Tripura. It is a region geographically nestled in one of the been using such species since several generations without
most biodiversity rich regions of the world. The region is having anything in written.
divinely blessed with diverse agro-climatic conditions, soil The information on the period (month) of flowering
physiography and is endowed with wealthy plant genetic and fruit availability of underutilized fruit species has
resources including several underutilized fruit species. The not been given much attention and documented since
region is considered an abode and reservoir of numerous the beginning, as compared to the major fruit species
wild genetic resources specifically underutilized fruit leading to dearth of knowledge and awareness on its
crops growing wildly in the forest and in almost every time of availability. Therefore, underlining a seasonality
homestead and backyard. chart or calendar will confirm and identify the timing of
Underutilized or neglected fruit species are those fruit different seasons for locally available fruit species. The
species which represent an enormous wealth of agro- chart can also be used as a guide to explore different
biodiversity and have great potential for contributing to underutilized fruits throughout the year. It is obvious
food security and nutrition, health (nutritional/medicinal), to state that the time of flowering and fruit maturity
income generation, environmental services and combating will vary depending on the region and growing seasons
the hidden hunger caused by micronutrient deficiencies. as it is normally determined by environmental factors
These fruit species are seen growing widely in forest such as photoperiod, temperature, availability of water,
and in almost every backyard without much care and nutrients and stress as well as various endogenous genetic
attention that are neither grown commercially nor traded components. Fruits are normally at their best in terms of
widely, lesser known to people, have less demand in the quality when they are harvested in their natural seasons
market and are less palatable. Further, whose distribution, as it contains all the vitamins and nutrients that our body
cultivation and uses are poorly documented. needs in that particular season. This article documents
Underutilized fruits contribute significantly in the diversification of wild underutilized edible fruit
improving human health by meeting their nutritional species found in the entire region of North east India and
need, livelihood, household food security and ecological thorough investigation on the time of fruit availability
sustainability. Since yore, indigenous food resources or fruit maturity. A total of 44 numbers of underutilized
constituted the bedrock of the diversity in traditional and fruit species represented by 21 families were listed and
indigenous food systems of communities in the north- collected of which Rosaceae family represented the highest
eastern region of India and underutilized fruits constituted with 6 species. Time of flowering and period of fruit
an integral part of traditional diets and contributed availability differed for different fruit species as shown

May–June 2021 3
 List of underutilized fruits found in the North-east region

Image of fruit Name of the fruit species Image of fruit Name of the fruit species

1 Docynia indica Wall. 9 Garcinia pedunculata Roxb.

Common name: Crab apple Family: Clusiaceae
Family: Rosaceae Vernacular name: Bor-thekera
Vernacular name: Phukhoithi (Sumi (Assamese); Thuhpi (Kuki)
Naga); Sohphoh (Khasi) Time of flowering: October –
Time of flowering: March – April December
Period of fruit availability: Period of fruit availability: May
November – January – August

2 Pyrus pashia Hamilton ex D. Don 10 Garcinia xanthochymus Hook. f.

Common name: Wild Himalayan Common name: False mangosteen
pear Family: Clusiaceae
Family: Rosaceae Vernacular name: Tepor-tenga
Vernacular name: Piita ayhi (Apatani) (Assamese)
Time of flowering: Feb. – March Time of flowering: March – May
Period of fruit availability: Period of fruit availability:
September – October October – February
Prunus nepalensis Serr. 11 Garcinia morella (Gaertn.) Desr
3 Common name: Khasi cherry Common name: Indian gamboge
Family: Rosaceae Family: Clusiaceae
Vernacular name: Sohiong (Khasi) Vernacular name: Kuji-thekera
Time of flowering: October – (Assamese)
November Time of flowering: February –
Period of fruit availability: March
August – September Period of fruit availability: July
– August
Flacourtia jangomas Lour.
4 Common name: Governor’s plum 12 Garcinia paniculata Roxb.
Family: Rosaceae Family: Clusiaceae
Vernacular name: Poniol (Assamese) Vernacular name: Kok (Kokborok)
Time of flowering: February – Time of flowering: December –
March February
Period of fruit availability: July Period of fruit availability: May
– August – July
Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.
5 Common name: Cherry plum 13 Spondias pinnata L.
Family: Rosaceae Common name: Indian hog plum
Vernacular name: Theikha (Kuki) Family: Anacardiaceae
Time of flowering: February Vernacular name: Amora
Period of fruit availability: April (Assamese); Medzisi (Angami Naga)
– May Time of flowering: March – April
Period of fruit availability:
December – January
Rubus ellipticus Smith.
6 Common name: Yellow Himalayan 14 Spondias axillaris Roxb.
raspberry Common name: Nepali hog plum
Family: Rosaceae Family: Anacardiaceae
Vernacular name: Chilapoka nyigchi Vernacular name: Lapsi (Nepali);
(Nyishi); Theimi (Kuki) Khulasi (Angami Naga)
Time of flowering: February – Time of flowering: April – May
March Period of fruit availability:
Period of fruit availability: May December – February
Rubus rosifolius Smith. Spondias cytherea Sonn.
7 Common name: Roseleaf bramble 15 Common name: Ambarella/Golden
Family: Rosaceae apple
Vernacular name: Wachingwaring Family: Anacardiaceae
nyigchi (Nyishi) Vernacular name: Amra (Bangla)
Time of flowering: March – April Time of flowering: Feb. – March
Period of fruit availability: June Period of fruit availability:
– July September – November
Garcinia lanceifolia Roxb. Rhus semialata Murr.
8 Family: Clusiaceae 16 Common name: Nutgall
Vernacular name: Taktir (Galo); Family: Anacardiaceae
Rupohi-thekera (Assamese) Vernacular name: Heimang(Meitei);
Time of flowering: October – Tsomhousi(Angami Naga)
December Time of flowering: Aug. – Sep.
Period of fruit availability: April Period of fruit availability:
– May December – January

4 Indian Horticulture
 Image of fruit Name of the fruit species Image of fruit Name of the fruit species

17 Ficus racemosa Linn. 25 Phoebe cooperiana U.N Kanjilal ex

Common name: Cluster fig A. Das
Family: Moraceae Family: Lauraceae
Time of flowering: February – Vernacular name: Mekhai
March (Assamese); Tapir (Adi)
Period of fruit availability: May Time of flowering: April
– June Period of fruit availability:
September – October

18 Ficus semicordata Buch. -Ham. ex 26 Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D.

Sm. Don.
Common name: Drooping fig Common name: Bay berry
Family: Moraceae Family: Myricaceae
Vernacular name: Tapang (Adi) Vernacular name: Sohphie (Khasi);
Time of flowering: February – Naga tenga (Assamese)
March Time of flowering: Feb. – March
Period of fruit availability: June Period of fruit availability: April
– August – June
19 Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. 27 Myrica nagi Thunb.
Common name: Monkey jackfruit Common name: Box myrtle
Family: Moraceae Family: Myricaceae
Vernacular name: Bohot (Assamese) Vernacular name: Sohphie nam
Time of flowering: March – April (Khasi)
Period of fruit availability: June Time of flowering: Feb. – March
– July Period of fruit availability: April
– June
20 Streblus asper Lour. 28 Canarium strictum Roxb.
Common name: Sand paper tree Common name: Black dammar
Family: Moraceae Family: Burseraceae
Vernacular name: Seora (Assamese) Vernacular name: Silum (Adi)
Time of flowering: March Time of flowering: February –
Period of fruit availability: May April
Period of fruit availability:
December – January
21 29
Citrus medica L. Bursera serrata Wall. ex Colebr.
Common name: Citron Common name: Indian red pear
Family: Rutaceae Family: Burseraceae
Vernacular name: Tanyum (Galo); Vernacular name: Tekring (Garo);
Jora tenga (Assamese) Thaisrem (Kokborok)
Time of flowering: Feb. – March Time of flowering: March – April
Period of fruit availability: Period of fruit availability: June
December – January – July
22 30
Citrus macroptera Montr. Elaeagnus latifolia L.
Common name: Wild orange Common name: Silver berry
Family: Rutaceae Family: Elaeagnaceae
Vernacular name: Hatkora Vernacular name: Sohshang (Khasi);
(Assamese); Shatkora (Sylheti); Mirika tenga (Assamese)
Heiribob (Meitei) Time of flowering: September –
Time of flowering: Feb. – March November
Period of fruit availability: Period of fruit availability: April
December – January – May
23 31
Citrus indica Tanaka. Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.
Common name: Indian wild orange Common name: Autumn olive
Family: Rutaceae Family: Elaeagnaceae
Vernacular name: Memang narang Vernacular name: Dang phereng
(Garo) (Monpa)
Time of flowering: Sep. – January Time of flowering: April – May
Period of fruit availability: Period of fruit availability:
October – February August – September
24 32
Machilus edulis King. ex Hook.f. Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels
Common name: Wild avocado Common name: Star gooseberry
Family: Lauraceae Family: Euphorbiaceae
Vernacular name: Pumsi (Bhutia); Vernacular name: Kawlsunhlu
Maago (Monpa) (Mizo)
Time of flowering: February – Time of flowering: February –
March March
Period of fruit availability: Period of fruit availability: May
September – October – June

May–June 2021 5
 Image of fruit Name of the fruit species Image of fruit Name of the fruit species

33 Antidesma bunius L. Spreng. 39 Syzygium jambos Alston.

Common name: Bignay Common name: Myrtaceae
Family: Euphorbiaceae Family: Rose apple
Vernacular name: Heiyen (Meitei) Vernacular name: Bogi Jamu
Time of flowering: March – April (Assamese)
Period of fruit availability: July – Time of flowering: Feb. – March
September Period of fruit availability: May
– June

34 Baccaurea ramiflora Lour. 40 Nephelium lappaceum Linn.

Common name: Burmese grape Common name: Wild rambutan
Family: Phyllanthaceae Family: Sapindaceae
Vernacular name: Bureng (Adi); Vernacular name: Tader (Adi)
Leteku (Assamese) Time of flowering: February
Time of flowering: March Period of fruit availability: April
Period of fruit availability: June – May
– July

35 Dillenia indica L. 41 Calamus tenuis Roxb.

Common name: Elephant apple Common name: Cane fruit
Family: Dilleniaceae Family: Arecaceae
Vernacular name: Outenga Vernacular name: Jeying (Adi); Heiri
(Assamese) (Meitei)
Time of flowering: May – August Time of flowering: Dec. – January
Period of fruit availability: Period of fruit availability: April
September – February – May

36 Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. 42 Haematocarpus validus (Miers.)

Common name: Ber Bakh. ex F. Forman
Family: Rhamnaceae Common name: Blood fruit
Vernacular name: Bogori Family: Menispermaceae
(Assamese) Vernacular name: Theichhungsen
Time of flowering: October – (Mizo)
November Time of flowering: Dec. – January
Period of fruit availability: Period of fruit availability: June
December – January – August

37 Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume. 43 Viburnum foetidum Wall.

Common name: Indian olive Common name: Stinking viburnum
Family: Elaeocarpaceae Family: Caprifoliaceae
Vernacular name: Jalphai Vernacular name: Yolyu (Apatani)
(Assamese); Shekhuthi (Sumi Naga) Time of flowering: June – July
Time of flowering: April - May Period of fruit availability:
Period of fruit availability: September – October
November – January

38 Terminalia chebula Retz. 44 Castanopsis hystrix J. D. Hooker &

Common name: Chebulic Thomson ex A. de Candolle.
myrobalan Common name: Chest nut
Family: Combretaceae Family: Fagaceae
Vernacular name: Silikha (Assamese) Vernacular name: Amke (Adi)
Time of flowering: March – April Time of flowering: October
Period of fruit availability: Period of fruit availability:
November – January August – September

in the seasonality chart figure. List of underutilized fruit studies were in bits and pieces. Therefore, a small effort
species sampled from various locations of the region on developing a seasonality chart will create a catalogue
with vernacular names of various ethnic communities of wild underutilized fruits which need to be consumed
have been given to each species in the table along with during a certain season. Further, promoting the use
photographs to elaborate the same. of underutilized fruit species needs to be achieved by
Underutilized fruit species recreate an important highlighting their importance in their current production
role in mitigating hunger through diet diversification as areas as well as exploiting further opportunities to extend
they are reservoirs of minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, their production and consumption as most of these fruit
proteins, antioxidants and also it can be considered as species are preferred in the region for their delightful
risk aversion and a resilient crop towards climate change taste, medicinal value and being a source of food and
owing to its wider phenological and soil adaptability in this nutrition which betokens the natural essence of these wild
difficult region. However, with rapid land transformation, underutilized fruit species.
growing connectivity, deforestation due to uncontrolled
Jhum, wood felling, etc. regrettably, resulted in the For further interaction, please write to
decline and loss of these species, henceforth facing rarity. Thejangulie Angami, (Scientist), ICAR, AP Centre, Basar,
Several studies regarding these fruit species have been Arunachal Pradesh.*Corresponding author e-mail: thejaangami@
yahoo.com
highlighted in different aspects nevertheless most of the

6 Indian Horticulture
 Varun M Hiremath
Research and Ritu Jain*

Ascorbic acid for reducing foliage discoloration

in cut chrysanthemum

Owing to the steady increase in demand of flowers, floriculture has become

one of the important commercial businesses in horticulture. Chrysanthemum is
one of the topmost cut flowers earning high domestic as well as export value.
Post-harvest management of cut flowers is very important to enhance their vase
life and keep them attractive for a longer time after consumers purchase. Early
wilting and yellowing of leaves are major problem resulting in loss of quality in
chrysanthemum. Studies have proved the application of ascorbic acid as chemical
preservative against foliage discoloration and petal wilting in lilium, red ginger,
rose, carnation, etc. Yet, it is water soluble and cheaply available in market.
In this regard, present study was carried out to study its influence on foliage
discoloration and reported that the use of ascorbic acid as spray solution to
reduce leaf yellowing and petal wilting in chrysanthemum. Ascorbic acid sprays
will be helpful for consumers to keep the cut flowers fresh, turgid and attractive
for longer time.

C HRYSANTHEMUM – one of the most popular

flowers commercially grown for cut flower, loose
flower and pot plant purpose–is the second largest cut
cultivated in an area of 16.63 thousand hectare with a
production of 179.37 MT.
Post-harvest management of cut flowers is very
flower cultivated and marketed all over the world. Japan important to enhance their vase life and keep them
is the leading producer of Chrysanthemum in the world attractive for a longer time after consumers purchase.
and other top producing countries include Columbia, Although chrysanthemum flowers have relatively
The Netherlands, Italy and United States. In India, it is higher vase life than other cut flowers, early wilting

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8

(Ascorbic acid as spray solution) (Ascorbic acid as vase solution)

Effect of ascorbic acid on leaf and petal senescence in chrysanthemum cv. Pusa Centenary

May–June 2021 7
 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8

(Ascorbic acid as spray solution) (Ascorbic acid as vase solution)

Effect of ascorbic acid on leaf and petal senescence in chrysanthemum cv. Yellow Star

Table 1. Influence of ascorbic acid on post-harvest foliage discoloration and vase life

Treatment Pusa Centenary Yellow Star

Leaf Leaf Leaf Vase life Leaf Leaf Leaf Vase life
wilting yellowing browning (days) wilting yellowing browning (days)
(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

As spray solution
T1 Distilled water 18.50 32.51 4.03 17.67 14.44 5.06 4.99 19.07
T2 Ascorbic acid 50 ppm 17.66 26.43 7.18 19.33 0.00 6.17 15.59 22.00
T3 Ascorbic acid 100 ppm 6.36 27.32 22.19 20.33 0.00 9.85 20.78 19.67
T4 Ascorbic acid 150 ppm 3.33 30.86 19.91 19.67 0.00 7.44 20.77 20.33
As vase solution
T5 Sucrose 4% 23.04 31.76 28.98 16.67 3.69 21.42 22.42 19.00
T6 Ascorbic acid 50 ppm + 53.65 25.94 40.39 17.00 37.79 0.00 49.09 22.67
Sucrose 4%
T7 Ascorbic Acid 100ppm + 59.90 30.44 48.80 16.33 54.80 10.43 25.93 23.00
Sucrose 4%
T8 Ascorbic acid 150ppm + 18.58 28.88 33.50 17.33 0.00 0.00 22.37 19.33
Sucrose 4%

and premature yellowing of leaves are major concern Ascorbic acid is a potential antioxidant which can
resulting in loss of flower quality. Foliage yellowing is delay leaf and petal senescence in chrysanthemum. It
known to be cultivar specific however, it is reported to be is also interesting to know that the endogenous level of
caused by poor production practices, improper storage, ascorbic acid has recently been suggested to be important
impeded water movement in cut stems and excessive use in the regulation of developmental senescence and plant
of chemical preservative solutions than recommended defense against pathogens. Its use as preservative has also
concentrations. It occurs prior to the onset of flower been documented in Rose, Carnation, Gladiolus, Tuberose,
senescence making the flowers unattractive and reduces Lilium, Red Ginger, etc. Besides functional role, ascorbic
its longevity. Chemical preservatives such as Thiadiazuron, acid is cheap, easily available and can be dissolved easily
Benzyl adenine, Silver thiosulfate and Methanol have in distilled water for its use in vase solutions.
been suggested by the group of researchers to manage Keeping these points in view, a study has been
leaf yellowing with varying degree of success. However, conducted at Division of Floriculture and Landscaping of
use of antioxidants such as carotenoids, ascorbic acid, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi to investigate effect of exogenous
a-tocopherol, glutathione, phenolics and flavonoids has not ascorbic acid on leaf and petal senescence through
been reported yet in spite of their high efficacy. Apart from spray as well as vase solutions. Cut stems of standard
that, the above reported laboratory grade chemicals were chrysanthemum cv. Pusa Centenary and cv. Yellow Star
found to be expensive and generally not easily dissolvable were harvested during morning hours from the research
in deionised or distilled water. farm at fully open stage before anthesis. Harvested stems

8 Indian Horticulture
were immediately placed in a bucket containing clean involvement of antioxidant enzymes in regulation of
water for rehydration and were brought to the laboratory. foliage discoloration and petal wilting after 14 days after
These stems were cut back to the uniform length of treatment. It is attributed to the fact that the ascorbic acid
60 cm and the leaves from the lower 1/3rd portion of the is absorbed directly through the leaves, thereby preserving
stem were removed and flowers were kept in distilled the chlorophyll content and also enhanced endogenous
water. The basal portion of the cut stems (2 cm) was ascorbic acid level.
recut under water and cut stems were kept in test tubes Ascorbic acid spray was helpful for keeping the
containing distilled water or different vase solutions as per cut flowers fresh, turgid and attractive for longer time.
different treatments (Table1). Freshly prepared ascorbic However, since foliage discoloration has been found
acid (L-ascorbic acid, lab grade chemical) solutions were cultivar specific, there is a need to standardize the ascorbic
uniformly sprayed alternate day onto petals and leaves of acid levels for each chrysanthemum cultivar. It is also
chrysanthemum cv. Pusa Centenary and cv. Yellow Star essential to validate efficacy of ascorbic acid in other
according to treatments and their effect on leaf wilting, important ethylene insensitive flowers.
leaf yellowing and vase life was studied (Table 1).
It was concluded from the study that the spraying
of flowers of Pusa Centenary with 100 ppm and
Yellow Star with 50 ppm concentration of ascorbic acid For further interaction, please write to:
delayed foliage discoloration (leaf yellowing, wilting, Ritu Jain, Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, ICAR-IARI,
browning), petal senescence and also enhanced the vase New Delhi 110 012. *Corresponding author e-mail: ritujain.
[email protected]
life of cut stems. These findings were also evident from

Textbook of Field Crops Production – Foodgrain Crops

The first edition of Textbook of Field Crops Production was
published in 2002 and there has been a heavy demand for the
book. This book is now being brought out in two volumes.
The chapters cover emerging trends in crop production such
as System of Rice Intensification (SRI), export quality assurance
in the production technology of commodities like Basmati rice,
organic farming, resource conservation technologies, herbicide
management etc. Good agronomic practices must judiciously
inter-mix the applications of soil and plant sciences to produce
food, feed, fuel, fibre, and of late nutraceuticals while ensuring
sustainability of the system in as much possible environment
and eco-friendly manner. The advent of hydroponics, precision
farming, bio-sensors, fertigation, landscaping, application of ICT,
GPS and GIS tools, micro-irrigation etc. is in the horizon. The
textbook covers both the fundamentals of the subject and at
the same time inspire and prepare both teachers and students
(Volume I) for the emerging frontiers.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
No. of pages : i-xii + 396 • Price : ` 700 • Postage : ` 100 • ISBN No. : 978-81-7164-116-1

For obtaining copies, please contact:

Business Manager
Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture
Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-I, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012
Tel : 011-25843657, Fax 91-11-25841282; e-mail : [email protected]

May–June 2021 9
 Rajender Kumar*, Himanshu Thakur,
Technology Sakshi Singh and Nidhi Sharma

High density planting system in apple using clonal

rootstock: A profitable venture

With the reduction in average land holdings, shifting from low density planting
systems to high density planting systems is need of the hour, as the trees under
these systems are more precocious, heavy yielders and produce better quality
fruits. One of the key advantage of these systems is the distribution of light which
is equally distributed over the canopy and each fruit gets optimum light for better
colour development. It allows most of the work to be done from the ground itself
and also gives an opportunity for mechanization which will reduce the amount of
labour capital later required.

H IGH-DENSITY planting refers to the planting

of higher number of plants per unit area than
the conventional system of plantings. Conventionally,
profitable if it is managed very well with several very
specific considerations as discussed here stepwise.

standard apple plants raised on seedling rootstocks are Selection of variety

planted at a spacing of 7.5 × 7.5 m and spur varieties at When high chill varieties like Royal and Red
a spacing of 5.0 × 5.0 m with a planting density of 178 Delicious are grown on lower altitude, they do not
and 400 trees/ha respectively. The average productivity develop colour which is the major challenge for their
of these orchards is approximately 6-8 metric tonnes/ha, commercial exploitation at intermediate or mid hill region.
which is much below the productivity obtained in high- Varieties having chilling requirement of 700-900 hours
density orchards (40-60 metric tonnes per hectare) where like Jeromine, Red Velox, Red Cap Valtod can be grown
the density of plant will be approximately 500 to 600 at medium altitude of 1200-1800 m.
trees/acre. High-density orcharding can be done on flat Altitude (m) Variety recommended
and fertile lands with assured irrigation using dwarf/semi-
dwarf clonal rootstocks which can be trained to modern 1200-1800 Early Red One, Gale Gala, Jeromine, Red Velox,
Redz Cap Valtod, Scarlet Spur II, Redlum Gala,
methods of canopy management, viz. Tall Spindle, Vertical Super Chief
Axis and Slender Spindle, etc. This technology is helpful
1800-2200 Auvil Early Fuji, Oregon Spur II, Vance Delicious
in best utilization of land and other required resources and
ease in orchard inter-culture operations, plant protection 2200-2400 Fuji, Red Chief, Royal Delicious, Top Red
as well as harvesting and to obtain export quality of the
Highly feathered nursery trees: If procuring
produce. High-density systems will be productive and
nursery trees, ideally it should have 10-15 feathers/tree.
Transplant shock caused by a high top to root ratio helps
to keep trees within this tight spacing. It also contributes to
significant fruit bud differentiation at the year of planting.

Selection of pollinizer variety

As in traditional system, we are using Golden
Delicious and Red Gold as pollinizer, which do not fetch
good price in market. New pollinizer variety like Gale
Gala, Redlum Gala and Auvil Early Fuji are getting
good market price and they can also be planted in the
33-40% ratio to increase the fruit set percentage and
overall productivity. One of the major advantage of
these pollinizing varieties is the synchronization of their
flowering pattern with commercial variety. Auvil early Fuji
is also a good pollinizing variety which is recommended
for higher elevation as it does not develop colour at lower
High density planting system in apple using clonal rootstock elevation.

10 Indian Horticulture
Variety Rootstock to be used Planting distance Training system

Gale Gala, Redlum Gala, Jeromine, M 9 (dwarfing rootstock) for standard or semi- 2.5 × 1.0-1.5 m Tall spindle
Red Velox spur variety
Red Cap Valtod, Super Chief, Scarlet MM 106 (semi-dwarf) / MM 111(semi-vigorous) 3 × 1.5-2 m Tall spindle
Spur for spur bearing variety

Vertical Axis and Slender Spindle, etc.

Tall Spindle: In tall spindle system of training, our
target should be to grow a tall narrow tree with a straight
leader up to the top wire and a fruiting area well exposed
to the sun. For it the ideal nursery tree should be at least
5 feet tall and preferably 6-7 feet. This tree should have
an abundance of healthy roots and a dominant straight
leader. It should have 8-12 feathers that are 15-30 cm long
and they should be distributed at regular intervals along
the leader. The maximum spacing between trees should
be 4 feet and 12 feet between rows depending upon the
vigour of rootstock and variety. The optimum Tall Spindle
spacing for an average vigour variety and soil is 3 feet by
11 feet. While planting the lowest feather should at least
be 60 cm above the soil and rootstock should be 10-15 cm
above ground level. Pruning the new tree is discouraged
therefore tying and training are more useful to encourage
the healthy growth and to produce fruitful feathers.
This is very different from planting conventional
orchards system where new trees are planted as whips
and severely pruned to encourage strong growth. During
the 1st year of tree training the leader is not cut and after
bud break, competing side shoots near leader along with
broken or damaged branches are removed. Any feathers
lower than 50 cm are also removed. The feathers having
Bending of branch below horizontal in Tall spindle
training system
diameter more than 50-66% of leader diameter should also
be removed. This is very critical as we need to maintain
Use of dwarfing rootstock the dominance of the leader. These branches whose
The other important consideration is the use diameter is exceeding the diameter of leader should be
of appropriate dwarfing rootstocks which is the key cut with bevel cut which will encourage the new growth
component of high density planting system. The most from below the cut.
successful high density orchards established to date have Tying down of feathers below horizontal is the most
been on M.9 and B.9 rootstock. The yield efficiency and important aspect of tall spindle. Then the support system
precocity of the Geneva rootstock are also being stated is installed at planting and trees are attached to it. Our
positive where fire blight is a concern. More vigorous goal during first year should be to let the leader grow as
rootstocks than these should only be used with the weakest tall as possible so that it should be reaching top in the 2nd
growing varieties such as Spur Delicious. Malling 9 is an or 3rd year itself. In the initial 1-2 years the trees energy
excellent rootstock for this system as are G.41, G.11, G.16, is directed to growth towards the top wire and producing
V2 and V3. Malling 26 rootstock should only be used for many feathers that will crop early.
weaker growing varieties. The base of the tree where the Vertical axis: This system of training is also similar
rootstock has been planted should be approximately six to tall spindle besides here the branches are maintained
inches above the soil. just horizontal unlike tall spindle where they are managed
below horizontal. This system also relies on high density,
Planting distance dwarfing rootstocks, minimal pruning, limb renewal, and
It depends on the vigour of variety and rootstock an effective support system. The major disadvantage
and also on the soil strength. In high density orchards is that it is a tall system that requires working off the
the density of plant should be approximately 500 to 600 ground. Maintaining sufficient vigour in the bottoms and
trees/acre. The maximum spacing between trees should controlling excess vigour in the tops is a challenge in
be 4-6 feet and 8-12 feet between rows depending on the some varieties.
elevation and the terrain of the land. Slender spindle: This system is bit difficult to
develop as compared to above discussed systems. After
Training system one year of the development of initial basic system the
In high density orcharding, trees should be trained to leader is bended and then new branches will develop on
modern methods of canopy management, viz. Tall Spindle, that side and at the end of year then the leader will be

May–June 2021 11
 sprinklers and drip irrigation system. Fertigation can
also be done where soluble fertilizer are being added to
the irrigation water and are applied straight-away with
irrigation water. Water soluble fertilizer like urea, MOP
or 19:19:19 (contains 19% Nitrogen, 19% Phosphorus
and 19% Potassium) can be applied with irrigation
water as fertigation. Non water soluble fertilizer like
single superphosphate should be applied as basal dose.
Deficiency of micronutrients like B, Zn, Mn and Cu should
be corrected through foliar application of boric acid
(0.1%), zinc sulphate (0.5%), manganese sulphate (0.3%),
and copper sulphate (0.3%) respectively. One important
care need to be taken that manganese sulphate and copper
sulphate should be applied by mixing with lime (0.5%).

Special pruning techniques

Special pruning techniques such as pinching, notching,
clicking and bending need to be done to maintain the
balance between the vegetative and reproductive growth
and to have more branches at desired place. The use of
plant growth regulator like 6-BA (6-benzyladenine) is very
effective in stimulating buds to break. Promalin is also
applied to buds where lateral shoot growth is desired. All
of these methods can provide a better alternative than
using a heading cut for inducing branching on the leader.
Minimal pruning at planting: For HDP system of
planting very little growth is needed to fill the available
Use of cloth pins for branch alignment space. Pruning is limited to only the removal of a few
larger branches along the leader. Generally, those
bended in opposite direction of first bend and it will also branches which are more the ½-2/3rd the diameter of
bear branches on alternate side and top canopy will look the leader at the insertion point are removed. Pruning in
like S-shape. This system is generally preferred by those subsequent years is limited to complete limb renewal by
growers who wish to work exclusively from the ground removing all dominant limbs.
level only and are not confident in building the wire Bending of branch: Bending is done in tall spindle
support systems. In this system, each tree is supported system of training to reduce the vigour of a branch.
with a wooden stake 8 feet long and 3 inches in diameter. Branch weights, rubber bands, or tying can be done for
The tree is pruned to develop a narrow conical shape and bending. Bending of branch will check the vegetative
excess vigour of the tree top is controlled by annually vigour and will keep the trees within allotted space, and
cutting of 2-year old wood to remove the top most 2 or 3 encourages the production of fruit buds for the following
limbs, which are generally too vigorous. The side limb is growing season.
tied to the post which will result in a zigzag shape. There Limb renewal: All scaffolds are renewed by complete
are 4 or 5 permanent limbs in the lower part of the tree removal if they become too large for the available space
and young temporary limbs in the top half of the tree. and become out of balance within the tree. Renewal cuts

Use of support system

As the rooting system of M 9 rootstock is brittle
and shallow and need support system to maintain the
sturdiness of plant, inadequate support system cannot
support the weight of the tree and the fruit especially
if we get heavy winds and snow storms then the entire
system will collapse. Depending upon the training system,
different support system can be used. We can use 8 to 10
foot long angle iron, and bamboo pole. The objective is
to support the tree and the fruit load within the second
or third year. Many times a multiple wires system having
wires at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 feet interval are tied especially
for M 9 rootstock.

Irrigation and fertilizer application

Another key criterion with high-density systems is
an efficient irrigation system where we can use micro Use of bamboo pole as support system

12 Indian Horticulture
 Use of multiple wire as support system

are made using the standard method of using a “bevel cm tip portion of such branch. This helps to minimize
cut” which encourages new shoots to form as replacement blind wood. In some varieties bending tends to result in
fruiting limbs. Tall Spindle differs from most other systems 2-3 more nodes of blind wood. This blind wood not only
in that there are no permanent limbs within the tree. reduces fruiting potential but also exposes the branch to
Girdling and notching: In notching, partial ringing sun and sunburn due to the fruit orientation and then
of a branch above a dormant lateral bud is done to clicking type pruning methods should be use to counter it.
increase the flowering shoots and to induce spur from bud. Spur pruning: It is a good way to rejuvenate trees
In girdling, the 2-3 mm strip of bark is removed. Apples that are heavy spur bearers such as Red Delicious and
produce auxin–a plant growth hormone, in their growing Empire. A tree will produce its highest quality fruit on
apical meristems and shoot tips. It flows down inhibiting spurs that are 2-5 years old. Any spur that is older than
bud break for a distance below the growing shoot tip. 5 years reduces reduced quality fruit and should be
A shallow cut into the cambium and phloem interrupts removed. Some spur removal with pruning should be done
the flow of auxins to the dormant buds and these buds every year on trees older than five years. The age of a
will start to grow. The best time to girdle or notch is in spur can be determined by its size. Spurs on the bottom
late February to the beginning of March when the sap of limbs should be removed, as they will never produce
is starting to flow. These are very effective methods to high quality fruit. Spur pruning initiates new shoot growth
reduce the tendency towards blind wood. Girdling should to produce new fruiting wood.
be done approximately every foot of the trunk on second Thinning of flower: As on an average, one spur bear
year trees. 5 flowers, retain only 1-2 fruit after fruit set so that fruit
Summer pruning and pinching: This technique can could attain good size and quality.
be used to remove shoots that are growing too much. It
can be performed by pinching the shoot apex to reduce
shoot elongation. Pinching of shoots at 8-10 cm growth is
also carried out to develop the fruiting spurs and to check For further interaction, please write to:
the growth of branches. Rajender Kumar, Department of Horticulture, GBPUA&T,
Clicking: Clicking is a method of tipping the Pantnagar 263 145, Uttarakhand. *Corresponding author e-mail:
[email protected]
branches of one-year-old wood where we will remove 3-5

May–June 2021 13
 Parmeshwar L. Saran* and
Research Hiteksha I. Damor

Morphogenetic diversity in DBM-4 accession of

jal brahmi

Successful restoration of overexploited species depends upon variability,

conservation and cultivation. Elite accessions were characterized for quantitative
and qualitative traits for sustainable cultivation and industrial uses. The evaluated
accessions were having sufficient variability in morphology, herbage yield and
chemical content. The accession DBM-5 was showing maximum dry herbage yield
(19.88 t h-1y-1) and DBM-4 rich in bacoside-A3 and bacopaside-II. Overall, economic
and/or industrial yield was found maximum in accessions DBM-4, therefore, they
may be further used in crop improvement program as valuable selection.

M ORPHOLOGICAL variation in vegetative traits

is a key determinant in unraveling phenotypic
diversity of any plant population. Diversity in plant
higher biosafety profile over the allopathic or synthetic
medications. Medicinal plant like jal brahmi utilization
and conservation have allured global attention due to
genetic resource provides opportunity for breeders to their overexploitation these days. The increasing demand
develop new and improved cultivars with desirable has placed B. monnieri as the second most priority species
characteristics, which include both farmer-preferred traits among the most important Indian medicinal plants and
(yield potential), and very important consumer preferred is identified among the seven important medicinal plants
traits (superior quality). In addition to this, characterization recommended for immediate attention and included in
of herbage morphology is a classical approach which is the list of highly endangered medicinal plants of India
well suited for analysis of genetic diversity in regards by NMPB and Technology Information Forecasting and
of plant resources conservation and utilization. Herbal Assessment Council (TIFSAC), Department of Science
medications are receiving widespread acclaim globally and Technology, GOI, India.
in more than 80% of the world population, due to their Bacopa monnieri (L.) Penn. commonly known as ‘Neera-
Brahmi’ of family Scrophulariaceae is a perennial, prostrate
and creeping herb which is identified in habitat including
wetlands and muddy shores. Jal brahmi, a nootropic herb
being used as a promising agent in modern Ayurveda
system owing to its antioxidant, cholinergic, anti-beta
amyloid property; also, has been used as a traditional
Ayurvedic medicine to enhance memory and to prepare
popular ayurvedic preparations like ‘Brahmirasayanam’
and ‘Brahmighritam’. Bacoside A is the major active
compounds of jal brahmi.
The diversity of different B. monnieri accessions
collected from different parts of country were evaluated
for horticultural traits. The leaves of herb are oblanceolate,
relatively thick, succulent and arranged oppositely on the
stem/stolon. At the same time larger leaf size or leaf area
(ranging from 0.57-0.81 cm2) was observed in DBM-5 and
DBM-2. However, DBM-10 had a very tiny leaf size (0.39-
0.46 cm2). Small, actinomorphic flowers are borne in leaf
axils, which are whitish, blue to medium purple in colour
with various sizes of flower-stalk length. At the same time
elite accession DBM-9 exhibited maximum stolon length
(95-122 cm). Variation was observed in flower pedicel
Variation in leaf shape/twisting and pedicel length of jal length and pedicle diameter. Higher pedicel length (1.57
brahmi accessions cm) and pedicel diameter (0.52-0.91 m) was exhibited by

14 Indian Horticulture
Representative variation in leaf shape and size in different
jal brahmi accessions. Dry herbage yield of different elites under field trials

DBM-4. Flower colour was purple to purplish white in Crop exhibited very good plant growth round the
most of the genotype but whitish purple flower colour year even under polyhouse conditions and harvested
was also observed. three to four times in a year. Maximum dry herbage yield
was observed under open field condition as compared to
Table 1. Jal brahmi accessions with distinct polyhouse. The morphometric traits like stolon length,
morphological characters thickness and leaf size might be helpful for contribution in
higher herbage yield. The highest fresh herbage yielding
Accession Distinct characters accession was DBM-5 (13.5 kg m2) followed by DBM-9
DBM-2 Maximum stolen leaf length, light green colour and (10.1 kg m2) and DBM-4 (7.9 kg m2). On an average dry
twisty top leaves herbage yield was observed maximum in DBM-5 (19.88
DBM-4 Maximum pedicel length and high total bacoside t h-1y-1) followed by DBM-4 (18.84 t h-1y-1) as compared
content especially bacoside-A3 and bacopaside-II to check (17.29 t h-1y-1).
DBM-5 Maximum herbage yields, leaf size and number of The whole plant is used in indigenous system of
leaves medicine as a nerve tonic and for epilepsy and insanity
DBM-9 Maximum inter nodal length and stolon thickness due to richness in Bacosides which are a class of chemical
compounds, that are dammarane-type triterpenoid
DBM-10 Smaller leaf size/area
saponins. Elite DBM-4 observed for having maximum
average bacoside-A3 (1.13 % W/W) and bacopaside-II
(2.52 % W/W) content on dry weight basis. It developed
through selection and is a trait specific elite accession
which produce quality herbage rich in saponins. Among
the evaluated accessions, DBM-5, DBM-9, DBM-2
exhibited high herbage yield whereas DBM-4 was also
containing maximum bacoside-A3 and bacopaside-II. The
accession DBM-4 and DBM-5 is rich in quality as well
as herbage yield, respectively. Therefore, it can be used
further in crop improvement and commercial cultivation
as a new selection.

For further details please contact at below address:

Parmeshwar L. Saran, Principal Scientist (Horticulture),
ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Research,
Boriavi, Anand-387 310. *Corresponding author e-mail:
Fresh herbage yield under field conditions [email protected]

Movable screens in rose production

• Use movable screen, an important tool for rose cultivation.
• It can help growers manipulate environment conditions — lowers temperature, changes humidity
and influences production numbers.
• The movable screens can be used year-round and in a variety of climates — from the Netherlands
to India.

May–June 2021 15
 B K Dubey and
Research P K Gupta*

Yamuna Purple-10 (G-404): A new promising

garlic variety

The new variety of garlic Yamuna Purple-10 was tested at different locations and
found superior at Jammu, Karnal, Kalyanpur, Chiplima, Jabalpur, Durgapura, Akola,
Junagarh, Rajgurunagar, Coimbatore and Dharwad. It has also been identified
for cultivation at National level and accordingly notified by the Government of
India vide notification No. SO 4272 (E) dated 26 Nov. 2019 and recommended for
cultivation in Zone-II (Jammu, Ludhiana, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan) and Zone-
IV (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra). It is recommended
for planting by the second fortnight of October and becomes ready for harvesting
in about 165-175 days. Average bulb yield is 18-20 tonne per hectare.

G ARLIC (Allium sativum L.) is one of the most

important and versatile of horticultural commodities
consumed in various ways for culinary, medicinal and
Haryana and Rajasthan) and zone IV (Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan). It’s
a high yielding variety developed through clonal selection
antimicrobial purposes. Garlic is rich source of various by National Horticultural Research and Development
nutrients, vitamins, fibers and has tremendous medicinal Foundation, R. R. S., Karnal to meet out the domestic as
values. Its medicinal value has been realized by the well as the export requirements. The variety was tested
medical community, especially Unani and Ayurvedic across the country under ICAR-AINRPOG in different
systems of medicine for disorders of digestive system, climatic zones and found superior in performance over
cholesterol, sterility, cough, etc. Its antibacterial action by check. Recommended for commercial cultivation during
virtue of allicin has also been found to have potential in rabi season the variety was notified by the Government
organic farming for treatment of plant diseases. In India it of India, wide notification No. S.O. 4272(E) dated 26
is grown in 3.17 lakh ha area with the production of 16.10 November, 2019.
lakh. The average productivity is 5.08 tonne/ha, which can
be improved by adoption of high yielding garlic varieties, Production technology
suitable cultural operations, pest management practices The plant has dark green, broad and erect leaves, plant
and post-harvest management. height 90 to 95 cm and number of leaves 8 to 10 per plant.
Bulbs of this variety
Yamuna Purple-10 are compact, globular
The new garlic in shape and purplish
v a r i e t y Ya m u n a or purple white in
Pu r p l e - 10 ( G - 4 0 4 ) , colour. They are large
IC No. 0597827 has in size with 4.8-5.5 cm
been identified at diameter. Cloves are
the national level for bold with 1.0-1.4 cm
release during the 10th equatorial diameter
Annual Group Meeting and 2.5-3.5 cm polar
of I CAR All India diameter. The number
Ne t w o r k R e s e a r c h of cloves is 24-28 per
Project on onion and bulb. Total soluble
garlic (AI N R P O G) solids and dry matter
held at IAR I, New content in bulb are
Delhi during 31 May 40-41 oB and 41-42%,
to 2 June, 2019. It has r e s p e c t i v e l y. B u l b s
been recommended contain 34.61 micro
for zone II ( Jammu, mol/g pyruvic acid.
Ludhiana, Delhi, The other nutritional
Yamuna Purple-10 growing in field

16 Indian Horticulture
 Yamuna Purple-10 bulb Yamuna Purple-10 clove

constituents are 0.21 mg Copper, 0.61 mg Iron, 0.27 mg well as quality. Garlic being a shallow rooted crop (5-8
Manganese, 0.90 mg Zinc, 0.30 mg Sulphur, 27.84 mg cm), the use of drip and sprinkler irrigation on raised bed
Calcium, 12.72 mg Magnesium, 369.90 mg Potash, 9.90 is very much successful for increasing yield and quality of
mg Sodium, 1.68 mg Nitrogen and 150.30 mg Phosphorus bulbs. Application of weedicide viz. Oxyfluorfen @ 0.25
per 100 g. Twenty bulbs of the variety weigh 650 g to 750 kg a.i. per hectare + 1 hand weeding at 45 days after
g. It is recommended for planting by 15-30 October. The planting has been recommended to control the broad
variety becomes ready for harvesting in about 165-175 leafy weeds. The crop gets matured for harvesting when
days after planting. Average bulb yield is approximately top of plants turns yellowish or brownish and 50% neck
18-20 t/ha and keeping quality is good. It is suitable for fall occurs. Drying and curing is most important post-
table and processing purposes. It is highly tolerant to harvest activity to improve the shelf life of bulbs during
major diseases of garlic like purple blotch, Stemphylium storage.
blight and other environmental stresses.
A spacing of 15×10 cm is recommended for obtaining SUMMARY
optimum yield of good quality bulbs. Well rotten NHRDF Purple-10 is a new addition to the list of
FYM may be applied @ 20 tonnes/ha or 5 tonnes/ha promising garlic varieties. It is purple in colour with
vermicompost at the time of field preparation and mixed medium maturity and high yielding (180-200 q/ha) variety.
well in the soil. In addition, 120 kg N, 50-80 kg P2O5, 50-
60 kg K2O/ha and 30 kg/ha Sulphur need to be applied
through chemical fertilizers. The foliar applications at the For further interaction, please write to
rate of 1% of 19N:19P:19K at 30, 45 and 60 days after P K Gupta, (Director), National Horticultural Research
planting and 13N:46P at 75, 90 and 105 days after planting and Development Foundation, Vill. Salaru, Post- Darar,
improves the yield and quality of the garlic bulbs. Use of Distt- Karnal-132 001, Haryana. *Corresponding author
Zinc, Boron and Sulphur also helps to improve yield as e-mail: [email protected]

Gardening provides you . . .

• Feeling of peace and tranquility, reduces stress, and offers a sense of self-esteem and mastery of environment

• Horticultural therapy, which is utilized in psychiatric hospitals, general hospitals, physical rehabilitation centres,
homes for elderly, prisons and schools

• This therapy helps the individual to overcome the diagnosed problems or cope with the problem much better
while developing relationship with plants and landscaping.

• The patients can achieve higher level of personal development and satisfaction.

May–June 2021 17
 Md. Ramjan* and
Prospects Kripa Shankar

Indigenous (traditional) vegetables as food and medicine in

Adi community of East Siang (Pasighat), Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is popularly known as land of the rising Sun (latitude 26° 30’
N and 29° 30’ N and longitude 91° 30’ E and 97° E). It is a picturesque state in
the remote north eastern part of India with 83,743 sq. kms area. It stretches from
snow- capped mountains in the north to the plains of Brahamputra valley in the
south. The climate of Arunachal Pradesh varies with elevation; areas that are at a
very high elevation in the upper Himalayas, close to the Tibetan border have an
alpine or tundra climate whereas in the middle Himalayas, people experience a
temperate climate. Areas at the sub-Himalayan and sea level elevation generally
experience humid, sub-tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters.

T HE state of Arunachal Pradesh falls under the

Himalaya Biodiversity hotspot and harbor a rich
diversity of flora and fauna. The native inhabitants of
plants are thought of having medicinal properties. Raw
plant parts are used with their indigenous preparation
along with meat and fish. This tradition of eating raw plant
the state include 26 major tribes and 110 sub-tribes. Most parts is handed down from genertaion to generation and
of the tribal people still depend primarily on the plant belived that they get direct medicinal benefit by this way
resources for their life support and livelihood. As the state of eating. Besides the parts used in raw form of eating,
harbor multi-ethnic diversity, it has a great potential for other parts are also used in cooking. These plants are used
ethnobotanical studies. as medicine in other forms such as juice, supernatant, after
Arunachal Pradesh receives heavy rainfall of 80 to 160 boiling, crushing, direct application, etc. Plants are used as
inches (2,000 to 4, 100 mm) annually, mainly during May- medicine from time immemorial; as many as 1,200 plants
September. The mountains slopes and hills are coverd are mentioned in ancient text.
with alpine, temperate, and sub-tropical forests. Pasighat The present survey was carried out at College of
(East Siang) is one of the districts which are dominated Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University,
by the Adi tribe. In the tribal society the use of plants Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh. The different species
as vegetable in daily diet with medicinal values is well of plants were found to be used by the Adi people
known since early days. They used different plant species as vegetable (Table 1). Plants belonging to different
in the treatment of various diseases using the various parts families were used as raw or in cooked form. Solanaceae
of the vegetables like, roots, stems leaves, flowers, fruits, and rubiaceae is found to be most widely used family
tuber, etc. of the plant. followed by asteraceae, piperaceae, zingiberaceae,
The state has 17 districts, out of which six districts actinidiaceae, apiaceae, lamiaceae, and caryophyllaceae.
are inhabited by the Adi community, namely East Siang, They used various parts of the plants such as leaves, young
Upper Siang, West Siang, Lower Dibang valley, Lohit inflorescence, tender stalks, tuber, fruits and other palnts
and Upper Subansiri. Adi is one of the major tribes and parts in this mode of eating. The belief behind this mode
consists of 14 sub-tribes, namely Ashing, Bori, Bokar, of eating is that it is good for health and acts as a remedy
Karko, Komkar, Minyong, Millang, Pasi, Padam, Panggi, for various ailments. This could be attributed due to the
Pailibo, Ramo, Shimong and Tangam. The Adi language presence of phytochemical composition in these plants
spoken by the people belongs to Tibeto-Burman language that enhance the power of immunity of human body.
family. Adi people celebrate different festivals which are Raw plant foods are considered to be rich in nutrition
essential parts of their socio-cultural life. Festivals reflect composition and energy; and low in calories. These are
the traditions, costumes and life style of the people. The further rich in various vitamins like, vitamin C, vitamin A,
festivals are mainly celebrated for feasts, good harvest of vitamin B, vitamin E, carotenoids, folate as well as various
crop, merriment and for narrating the myths, legends, minerals like calcium, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus,
folklores and mythologies. zink, boron, fiber, etc.
The Adi people have the tradition of eating raw leaves, Further proper documentation and domestication is
young inflorescences, tender stalks and other palnt parts needed to assess the scientific and medicinal properties
as vegetable in their diet since time immemorial. These of these plants. It may be hypothesized that the longevity

18 Indian Horticulture
Table 1. Plants used by the people of Adi tribe living in Pasighat, East Siang area of Arunachal Pradesh

Botanical name Local Family Habit Parts used Traditional Use

name

Diplazium esculentum Takang Athyriaceae Herb Tender leaves Boiled young shoots and leaves are taken with
& shoots boiled rice as vegetable for lactative

Centella asiatica Kipum Apiaceae Herb Whole plant Fresh whole plant extract is taken 2-3 times a day
as stomachic

Begoniya josephii Sisi baying Begoniaceae Herb Shoots & Paste of shoots and leaves is given 2-3 times a
leaves day for antidysentric

Chenopodium album Gilimili Chenopodiaceae Herb Leaves & The leaves and young shoots may be eaten as a
young shoots leafy vegetable, either steamed in its entirely, or
cooked like spinach

Clerodendrum Ongin Verbanaceae Shrub Leaves Tender leaves are taken as vegetable to check
colebrookiamum blood pressure

Eryngium foetidum Adiori Apiaceae Herb Leaves Leaves are taken as chutney (condiments) believed
to be appetizer. Paste from stem and leaf is applied
together on forehead as a remedy for headache

Houttuynia cordata Roram Saurururaceae Herb Shoots Extract of tender shoot is given for stomach ache.
Warmed leaves are packed in banana leaf for snuff
or massage to get from sinusities

Mussaendra Akshap Rubiaceae Shrub Leaves Leaves are cooked and served as vegetable
roxburghii

Physalis minima Bodopatti Solanaceae Herb Fruit Fruit extract is administrated for gastric problem

Portulaca oleracea Guber Portulaceae Herb Stem & Stem and leaves are taken as vegetable with boiled
oying leaves rice for stomachic

Solanum nigrum Kopir Solanaceae Herb Stem, leaves Stem and leaves are used for vegetable and
& berries considered digestive and liver tonic.
Berries are eaten raw or cooked

Solanum torvum Kopir Solanaceae Shrub Fruit Berry is taken as raw as well as in cooked form.
Good for cough and tonsillitis.

Solanum spirale Okobang Solanaceae Shrub Leaves & fruit Tender leaves used for stomach disorder, warm
decoction of fruits is used in stomach ache and
also as vegetable, chutney and salad

Solanum kopir Solanaceae Shrub Fruit Expectorant, tooth-ache, cough, cold, respiratory
xanthocarpum problems

Spilanthus acmella Marshang Compositae Herb Leaves & Flower are chewed to cure tooth-ache
flowers

Zanthoxylum armatum Ombe Rutaceae Tree Leaves & Fruits are crushed, made into paste solution to
fruits prevent malaria

Zanthoxylum rhetsa Onger Rutaceae Tree Leaves Tender leaves are used as vegetable. Infusion of
seed mixed with Allium sativum and little salt is
prescribed in case of stomach bloating and used
as hair cleaning agent

Sida acuta Holap Malvaceae Herb Tender leaves Tender leaves are cooked and eaten as vegetable

Pouzolzia viminea Oyik (small Urticaceae Herb Leaves Is eaten as vegetable and it is considered by Adi
leaf) tribe to increase lactation in women

Pouzolzia hirta Oyik (big Urticaceae Herb Leaves Is eaten as vegetable and it is considered by Adi
leaf) tribe to increase lactation in women

Oxalis corneculta Phakep Oxalidaceae Herb Whole plant Whole plant is taken as vegetable, as anti dysentric
and to relieve intoxication from wine

Alocasia macorrhiza Engee Araceae Shrub Rhizome Pain reliever from insect bite

Alpinia malaccensis Pupure Zingiberaceae Shrub Rhizome A piece of fresh rhizome is taken as anthelmentic

Calamus erectus Tara Arecaceae Tree Seed & Fresh seed are taken for dyspepsia. Tender shoot
tender shoot are taken as vegetable and anthelmentic

Drymaria cordata Tayitoar Caryophyllaceae Herb Whole plant Fresh whole plant mixed with Psidium guajava fruit
is taken in gastritis

May–June 2021 19
 Diplazium esculentum Centella asiatica Begoniya josephii Chenopodium album
(Takang) (Kipum) (Sisi baying) (Gilimili)

Clerodendrum Eryngium foetidum Houttuynia cordata Mussaendra roxburghii

colebrookiamum (Adiori) (Roram) (Akshap)
(Ongin)

Physalis minima Portulaca oleracea Solanum nigrum Solanum torvum

(Bodopatti) (Guber oying) (Kopir) (Kopir)

Solanum spirale Solanum xanthocarpum Spilanthus acmella Zanthoxylum rhetsa

(Okobang) (Kopir) (Marshang) (Onger)

Pouzolzia hirta Pouzolzia viminea Oxalis corneculta Drymaria cordata

(Oyik, big leaf) (Oyik, small leaf) (Phakep) (Tayitoar)

20 Indian Horticulture
 Sida acuta (Holap) Alocasia macorrhiza (Engee)

of life in rural and forest dwelling people are more as biodiversity conservation and security of the traditional
compared to the urban and city dwellers owing to the healthcare system.
daily physical work combined with all these medicinal
doses they faced everyday as vegetables. The daily intake SUMMARY
of herbal medicine in the form of vegetables might be The present investigation revealed only a fraction
one of the important reasons for the life longevity and of traditional knowledge of plants used by the Adis of
less occurrence of the developed world killer ailments like pasighat East Siang. An elaborate and long term study
cancer, diabetes, heart diseases. is required for understanding and documentation of
The traditional knowledeg of eating raw plants by traditional knowledge possessed by the Adi cummunity
adi tribe of pasighat (East Siang) Arunachal Pradesh as and its cultural connection. It is also important to conserve
medicinal/ nutritional supplement in their diet is an age- the language and the traditional lifestyle to foster the
old practice in this region of the state. ethnic knowledge for the next generation.
To conserve the above mentioned traditional
knowledge, there is a need for scientific research and
documentation in particular. Thus, collaborative research
and integrated efforts are necessary to preserve the
knowledge of indigenous people in traditional healthcare. For further interaction, please write to:
Mass awareness programmes on usefulness of plants will Md. Ramjan, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central
be a basic tool for conservation and sustainable utilization Agricultural University, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh 791 102,
India.*Corresponding author e-mail: mohammadramjan165@
of these natural resources. These efforts may help in
gmail.com
upliftment of the rural economy as well as long-term

Please renew your Indian Horticulture subscription on time

For assistance contact:

Business Manager
Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA)
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012
Telefax: 011-2584 3657; E-mail: [email protected]

May–June 2021 21
 Sheikh M Sultan*, Susheel Kumar Raina,
Prospects Suheel Ahmad and Sheeraz Salim Bhat

Ziziphus jujube Miller – A fast vanishing

minor fruit plant of Kashmir, India

I N the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir,

Ziziphus jujube is found growing at different places in
Kashmir province with temperate climate mainly in wild
of energy, vitamins and also income when sold in local
markets. The leaves provide fodder for livestock; the hard
wood is used for turning, making agricultural implements,
form and at very few places is cultivated for fruits while fuel and high quality charcoal. More importantly, extract
Ziziphus mauritiana is cultivated in Jammu province with from fruits, seeds, leaves, roots and bark of this plant is
tropical or sub tropical climate. Of the two subspecies used in many traditional medicines to alleviate the effects
of Ziziphus jujube occurring in Kashmir, Ziziphus jujuba of insomnia, skin diseases, inflammatory conditions and
ssp. spinosa grows wild at many places with thorny, often fever. In many regions, Ziziphus is grown as a hedge; with
shrubby plants bearing smaller fruits; the other one viz., its spines creating effective live-fencing besides their strong
Ziziphus jujuba ssp. jujube with thorn less trees bearing root system stabilizes the soil preventing soil erosion.
larger and tastier fruits is cultivated at few places. The Some species, like Ziziphus mauritiana and Ziziphus jujuba
fruits especially of later subspecies are consumed by are found on nearly every continent, whereas other species
locals and are of medicinal importance. During our recent are restricted in their distribution. These two are major
exploration and germplasm collection programme, we domesticated Ziziphus species for fruit production. In India
have collected eight accessions of Ziziphus jujuba ssp. as well as in China, Ziziphus trees have a long tradition
spinosa and only two of Ziziphus jujuba ssp. jujube from of selection and cultivation, as result a these two species
various parts of Kashmir. Variability in fruit size, shape, occurring in these countries are better known and more
color and taste was recorded in these collections. A unique widely researched than those in other regions. Ziziphus
accession of Ziziphus jujuba ssp. spinosa has been collected mauritiana is commonly cultivated in India, while Ziziphus
from Ganderbal area having moderately thorny plants jujube is predominantly cultivated in China.
bearing bigger, brown, shining and tasty fruits almost Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk. (Ber, Indian Jujube, Chinese
equivalent to the fruits of Ziziphus jujuba ssp. jujube. Such date, Indian cherry, Indian plum) is highly drought
accessions can be suggested to be possible progenitor of resistant plant, thus considered as an ideal fruit tree for
later subspecies. Earlier both these subspecies of Ziziphus arid and semi-arid regions in tropical and subtropical
jujube were more common in Kashmir and unfortunately climates where most of the fruit crops cannot be grown
are now fast vanishing from the region. Therefore, more either due to lack of irrigation facilities or adverse climatic
concerted efforts should be made for their conservation and soil conditions. It is found growing wild as well as
both ex situ and in situ for our future generations. We in cultivated forms throughout the warmer regions up to
firmly believe that under the prevailing uncertain climatic an altitude of 1500 m above mean sea level. In India, the
conditions, these wonderful and multipurpose minor major ber growing states are Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar
fruit plants being highly drought tolerant and capable of Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra,
growing on dry wastelands hold a great promise in the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Its plants are large
region. shrubs or trees, may be evergreen and up to 15 meter
Ziziphus Mill. is a very important genus of buckthorn tall. Drupe fruits are eaten fresh and also processed to
family Rhamnaceae native to South Asia and comprising prepare delicious murraba and candies. Fruits can also
about 100 species of trees, shrubs, climbers, and a herb be used for preparation of jam and wine. These contain
distributed mostly in the tropical and sub-tropical regions high amount of vitamin C (85 - 95 mg per 100 g), more
of the world, mainly Asia and America, although few of vitamin C has been found in the fruit flesh near the seed
these extend in the Pacific Islands and Australia. Some rather than near the skin of the fruit. Drupes are 1.0 - 1.2
of these occur in the temperate regions as well. About 17 × 1.0 cm. in size, globose, oblong or ovoid, orange yellow,
species have been reported in India, 12 in China, 13 in turning deep red, pulpy, with persistent tube at base;
Pakistan, 7 in Bhutan, 8 in Nepal and 6 in Bangladesh. stones irregularly furrowed with a hard, thick, boney shell
Ziziphus trees and shrubs inhabit arid environments on enclosing 1 - 2 red-brown shiny seeds 6 - 7 × 5 - 6 mm.
every continent due to their versatility in being able to in size. Fruits are produced from September to January.
adapt to drought stress. The fleshy drupes of some species Ziziphus jujuba Mill. ( Jujube, Chinese ber, Red date
are rich in sugars and vitamins, and this fact has made and Chinese date) is small deciduous tree, rarely shrub up
Ziziphus species important fruit trees for many centuries. to 10 m tall, spinose or unarmed. Drupe red at maturity,
The highly nutritious fruits provide a valuable source turning red-purple, oblong or narrowly ovoid, 2.0 - 3.5

22 Indian Horticulture
 a b c

d e f

Fruiting shrub (a), heavy bearing late maturing plant with bigger green fruits (b) and a small tree of Ziziphus jujube
subsp. spinosa (c), a huge tree (d), fruiting branch (e) of Ziziphus jujube subsp. jujube, and local community initiative
for protection of trees in Shopian area (f).

cm. long, 1.5 - 2 cm in diameter; mesocarp fleshy, thick, have collected many plant specimens growing in the wild
sweet or sour-tasting; stone acute or obtuse at both ends, which were identified as Ziziphus jujuba Mill. subsp. spinosa
2-loculed, 1 - 2-seeded; fruiting pedicel 2 - 5 mm or (Bunge) Peng, Li & Li, a new addition to the flora of the
longer. Seeds compressed to orbicular, 1 × 0.8 cm in size. Indian subcontinent from the Kashmir Himalayas. This
Flowering from May to July and fruiting from August wild subspecies of Ziziphus jujube was earlier known as
to October. Three accessions of Chinese ber namely Ziziphus acidojujuba Cheng & Liu and is widely distributed
Ta-Yan-Jhao (EC27715-A), Ta-Yan-Tszov (EC36768) and and considered an important honey plant in North China
Moodeung (EC280769) were introduced from Russia for its fragrant flowers rich in nectar. In Kashmir, Ziziphus
and Korea, they are established in the field gene bank of jujuba ssp. spinosa occurs as thorny shrub often bearing
ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Shimla and have been less tasty smaller fruits which upon maturity form a
distributed to several places in north eastern India. The cavum, completely hollow mesocarp. Another subspecies
plants are thorn less bushy, spreading, or upright, 5-10 m found growing in Kashmir is Ziziphus jujuba ssp. jujube
tall. Leaf shape is ovate, broad elliptic and elliptic with which is cultivated for its bigger and tastier fruits and
serrate margin. Chinese ber requires a small amount of is characterized by taller thorn less trees not forming
chilling during winter to set the fruits however, it can a cavum upon drying. This species could have been
withstand wide range of temperature (below freezing to introduced in Kashmir through the famous Silk Route.
34°C). Fruits are borne solitary or in clusters, with smooth
surface, obtuse fruit apex and base. Pulp color greenish- Characteristics and germplasm collection
white, less sweet in taste with moderate pulp aroma. Fruit Ziziphus jujuba ssp. spinosa occurs wild in Kashmir
length varies from 1.8 - 4.3 cm and diameter 1.2 - 3.3 cm. and locally called as ‘Bar-e-Kund’ grows on dry areas like
Stone shape oval to spindle. Average fruit varies 8 - 18 g Karewa lands, slopes near foot hills, fencing of orchards
in weight with 16 - 21% total soluble solids and pulp to at some places at an altitude of 1600 - 2300 m. We
stone ratio varying from 1.2 - 1.9. have observed small populations of this plant growing
In the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and in Tral area of Pulwama district and at various places
Kashmir, Ziziphus mauritiana has been reported to be in Ganderbal district during our recent exploration and
grown on 7.90 thousand hectares with a production of germplasm collection programme of wild fruits from
13.20 thousand metric tonnes in Jammu province with various areas of Kashmir. It is a thorny deciduous shrub
tropical to subtropical climate while in temperate Kashmir 1 - 3 m tall mostly with spreading habit. However, at few
province, Ziziphus jujube is the species found growing places we have seen small upright trees of this species with
at different places mainly in wild form and at very few solid branched trunk more than 5 m in height. We have
places it is being cultivated rather maintained for fruits. also observed some plants moderately and some heavily
While revising genus Ziziphus in the Kashmir Himalaya armed with spines but we have not been so far able to

May–June 2021 23
 a b c

d e f

Variation in fruit shape, size and color (a - d), stone/seed shape and size (f) in Ziziphus jujube subsp. spinosa. Fruits
of unique accession of Ziziphus jujube subsp. spinosa collected by authors (d) comparable to the fruits of Ziziphus
jujube subsp. jujube (e).

locate spineless plants of this species. The fruits mature Ziziphus jujuba ssp. jujube is now rare in Kashmir and we
from September to October. During our exploration have collected its two accessions only, one from Pampore
programme we have collected eight diverse accessions area at an elevation of 1630 m and another from Shopian
of this species varying in fruit shape, size, color and area at an elevation of 1930 m. Three very huge plants
taste from an altitudinal range of 1671 - 1779 m. Fruits believed to be around a century old were observed
shape may be globose, oblong or ellipsoid. Color varies in Pampore area with fruits maturing in the month of
from light brown, dark brown to tan. We have recorded September while in Raqhama village of Shopian almost
fruit length of 0.9 - 2.1 cm, breadth of 0.8 - 1.9 cm, fruit a dozen comparatively smaller trees were found to be
weight of 0.775 - 4.057 g and stone weight of 0.071 - 0.408 growing. The fruits here mature late in October. Mature
g in this species. Stone globose to ellipsoid, obtuse or fresh fruits of Ziziphus jujuba ssp. jujube are brownish, tasty,
sometimes acute as well, superficially tuberculate, often and narrowly ovoid, on an average 2.7 in length, 2.4 in
with two locules each with single smooth surfaced, brown, breadth, fruit weight 6.473 g and stone weight of 0.238 g,
compressed, orbicular seed. One heavy bearing late stone acute at both ends, 2-loculed, 1or 2-seeded, seeds
maturing bush type accession with fruit size of 1.8 x 1.6 orbicular and compressed.
cm, fruit weight of 2.923 g and stone weight of 0.343 g
has been collected from Tral area. However, fruits of this Utilization
accession form a cavum upon maturity and drying; besides The fruits are eaten fresh or in dried form. Various
its fresh fruits are almost tasteless. On the other hand one functional compounds such as vitamin C, amino acids,
unique accession with shrubby plants has been collected triterpene acids, polysaccharides, and polyphenols
from Lar Ganderbal area with fruit size of 2.1 x 1.9 cm, have been reported in the Ziziphus. In Unani system
fruit weight of 4.057 g and stone weight of 0.371 g. The of medicine, it is known as ‘Unnab’ and its sherbet is
accession is unique in being moderately thorny, bearing believed to have a sort of ‘cooling effect’ on the body.
very tasty, brown shining crispy fruits with thin epicarp, Traditionally, species belonging to the genus Ziziphus have
and comparatively thicker mesocarp, besides not forming been largely used as medicine to treat many diseases and
cavum upon maturity. These characteristics bring it closer body disorders, such as chest and respiratory problems,
to Ziziphus jujuba ssp. jujube and thus can be suggested to scabies, pimples and the inflammation of mouth and gums.
be its possible progenitor. This accession has a potential It is reported to be a good blood purifier and stomachic.
to be exploited as a minor fruit crop in the region. The fruits are useful in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis,
Ziziphus jujuba ssp. jujube is thorn less cultivated diabetes, eye diseases, inflammatory skin conditions, liver
subspecies locally called as ‘Bre’ resembling ‘Ber’ referring disorders, ulcers and wounds. In Uri areas of Kashmir,
to Ziziphus mauritiana in other parts of the country. Ziziphus jujuba ssp. jujube is locally called as ‘Singli’ and

24 Indian Horticulture
a decoction prepared by grinding its seeds in salty water ssp. jujube trees by wire fencings as a local community
is taken orally two spoons thrice a day for two months as initiative. Root suckers of these protected plants are
a cure for jaundice. In Kashmir, the leaves especially of being carefully maintained and groomed for propagation
Ziziphus jujuba ssp. jujube are added to boiling water used purpose. The village community is eager to distribute
for taking bath to cure various skin ailments. The foliage these juvenile plants among interested people for revival
is used as fodder for livestock at many places. of this valuable plant genetic resource. The village is
interestingly and correctly known as ‘Bre Baag’ meaning
Need for conservation a ‘Ber Orchard’. As mentioned earlier we have collected
Four or five decades back Ziziphus jujuba ssp. jujube a total of 10 accessions of both these subspecies for
was more commonly grown in Kashmir and its trees were conservation. The authors firmly believe that under the
seen in countless number of villages and people fondly prevailing uncertain climatic conditions, Ziziphus jujuba
consumed its fruits especially for medicinal purposes. holds a great promise as a multipurpose minor fruit crop
However, unfortunately over these years this potential in the region being highly drought tolerant and capable
minor fruit has fast vanished and now-a-days is growing of growing on dry wastelands. Therefore, more concerted
at very limited places across Kashmir. Even Ziziphus jujuba efforts should be made for their conservation both ex situ
ssp. spinosa growing wild at various places throughout and in situ for our future generations.
Kashmir is greatly threatened due to merciless cutting
and habitat loss. Therefore, efforts should be made for
their conservation both ex situ and in situ. During the For further interaction, please write to:
exploration programme, the authors while interacting Sheikh M Sultan, ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station, Srinagar,
with local people at village Raqhama of Shopian, lauded Jammu and Kashmir 191 132. *Corresponding author e-mail:
[email protected]
their efforts in protecting about a dozen Ziziphus jujuba

HANDBOOK OF
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
Agricultural Engineering interventions have led to significant improvement
in agricultural productivity by timeliness of operations, reduction in drudgery,
prevention of post-harvest losses and achieving higher cultivation intensity.
Timely farm operations with efficient use of inputs, post-harvest processing and
value addition to agricultural produce and conservation and sustainable use of
natural resources are essential for ensuring higher returns to the cultivators.
This is the maiden attempt of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to
publish the Handbook of Agricultural Engineering. The handbook comprises
50 chapters under four sections, namely Farm Machinery and Power, Soil and
Water Engineering, Energy in Agriculture and Agro-Process Engineering. This
publication would be useful to farmers, students, researchers, extension workers,
policy makers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.

For obtaining copies, please contact:

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Business Manager
Size : Royal Octavo (16 cm x 24 cm)
Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture
No. of pages : i-viii + 808
Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan I, Pusa, New Delhi 110012
Price : ` 1500
Postage : ` 100 Telefax: 011-2584 3657; E-mail: [email protected]

May–June 2021 25
 Kalpana Yadav*
Prospects

Microgreens: An ultimate superfood

Microgreens are new generation smart food products whose popularity is

increasing with time. Microgreens are tiny edible greens obtained from different
kinds of vegetables, herbs, and plants. Microgreens are popularizing as new
culinary ingredients. Microgreens have a higher content of vitamins, minerals,
and many bioactive compounds and more nutritious than their mature plant
parts. Microgreens do not require specific nutrients for growth and can be grown
throughout the year.

T HE lifestyle changes associated with the improved

standard of living in terms of social, economic, and
cultural standards have led to the major lifestyle associated
mustard, buckwheat, arugula, bull’s blood beet, celery,
cilantro, amaranth, golden pea, basil, spinach, mizuna,
pepper cress, popcorn shoots, red mustard, red beet, red
problems including diseases and nutritional deficiencies. cabbage, red orach, sorrel, red sorrel, wasabi, cabbage,
The non-availability of fresh and pesticide residue-free broccoli, radish, lettuce, kale, rapini, etc. Microgreens
vegetables for consumption is a big problem in the future. are cut along with the stem and attached cotyledons/
The urban populations are mainly dependent on long seed leaves with the help of scissors. If left for a longer
food chains that begin in distant rural areas limits the time, they will begin to rapidly elongate and lose color
availability of produce that has short shelf-life and poor and flavor.
shipping ability. As a result of that, many urban populations It is different from sprouts in the sense that sprouts
reside in areas classified as ‘food deserts’, where people do are the germinated seeds that are consumed with the
not have ready access to fresh agricultural products like embryonic root and the seeds. Microgreens are different
fruits and vegetables and also lacking complete package from baby greens in their size and much smaller than
of essential nutrients and depend mainly on processed baby greens. Their status remains in between sprouting
and packaged foods. Increased health consciousness and baby greens. It is also known as vegetable confetti.
associated with lifestyle changes has created a vast demand
for functional food globally. Microgreens are considered
‘practical nourishments’ which are food items that have
explicit wellbeing advancing and infection forestalling
properties, that are extra to their typical healthy benefits.
These are additionally named a decent wellspring of
minerals in the human eating regimen. Microgreens are
an arising class that can tackle practically all the medical
conditions identified with wholesome lack. The culinary
value of microgreens rose high in the past decades owing
to its high nutrient content, versatility, flavor profile, and
crisp texture imparted to the dish.

What are microgreens?

Microgreens are young and tiny seedlings of
vegetables and herbs, harvested when cotyledons (seed Nutritional composition
leaves) are fully expanded and the first pair of true Microgreens are richer sources of several
leaves are emerging or partially expanded. The size of micronutrients particularly vitamins and minerals.
these microgreens is ranges from 1-3 inches (2.5−7.6 cm) Microgreens are higher in nutritional content than their
in height which usually occurs within 7–14 days after mature parts. The composition of vitamin A, C, E, K,
germination, which varies from crop to crop and variety enzymes, and carotenoid differs according to types of
to variety and other environmental conditions. It has three microgreens, growing medium, amount of sunlight and
basic parts; a central stem, two cotyledon leaves, and temperature, and the time of harvesting. Bright colored
typically the first pair of very young true leaves. microgreens are found to be more nourishing than light
The commonly cultivated microgreens are spinach, ones. Microgreens have a higher content of a-carotene,

26 Indian Horticulture
β-carotene, violaxanthin, lutein, and neoxanthin in Sowing time
comparison to sprouts. They have more protein, iron, Seeds can be sown around the year as per the
and Zn content than sprouts. It is interesting to know consumer’s requirement. During the reuse of previous
that antinutritional factors like nitrate (NO3- ) and nitrite sowing media, roots and other remaining parts of
(NO2- ) content are also very low in microgreens. preceding crops should be completely removed from the
trays/container. Dry the media properly by exposing it to
Growing microgreens: Indoors vs outdoors sunlight and then fill the trays/container. Any living place
The absolute first choice a microgreens farmer should like rooms or any type of mini-greenhouse can be used
make is to decide, regardless of whether to develop their to keep your greens to maintain optimum temperature,
harvest inside or outside. As indicated by my developing humidity, and light intensity. Microgreens grown in an
experiences with microgreens, an indoor arrangement is environment with high light conditions, low humidity and
a superior alternative since it permits more prominent good air circulation will result in a better harvest.
command over the developing climate. Microgreens are
most flourishing in the same temperature range, so a Harvesting and packaging
farmer can use any spare room in their home or garage Microgreens can be harvested at 7−14 days after
and by creating a perfect and controlled environment, germination (tropical climate) and somewhat longer
they can grow their greens very easily. Outdoor setups (14-28 days) in cold weather (temperate climate) that
have their own pros and cons. One advantage of growing depends on the crop, and other environmental conditions.
microgreens outdoors is that it does not need any Microgreens along with the stem and attached seed leaves
artificial light source, but outdoor farming requires the can be cut with the help of scissors. Microgreens have a
appropriate environmental conditions. There are many short time span of usability and require better strategies for
drawbacks to growing microgreens outdoors. Apart from storage and transport. Business microgreens are frequently
this time frame, it is not possible to grow microgreens put away in plastic clamshell containers. Biodegradable
without supplemental heat due to the threat of extreme clamshell containers are also available in the markets.
temperature fluctuations and frost. A greenhouse can be
a better option for the outdoor cultivation of microgreens,
but it can be very expensive for a farmer.

How to grow microgreens?

Microgreens can be grown in different mediums
like soil, tissue paper, hydroponics, etc. But generally,
a mixture of Coco-peat, vermiculite, and perlite can be
used for growing microgreens in a 5:2:1 ratio respectively.
The release of macro-and micronutrients present in this
medium is very slow; hence, a farmer can reuse the
same media several times for the growth of their young
greens. Microgreens seeds generally do not require extra
nutrition for germination but require only ideal conditions
(environmental and proper water moisture conditions for Benefits of growing microgreens as a business
imbibition) for germination up to the microgreen stage The benefits of integrating leafy greens and
which makes the production of microgreens easy and microgreens into their diet are gradually being understood
cost-effective. Treatment of seeds by various chemicals is by people worldwide, ensuring that demand continues to
also not suitable for farming of microgreens and the use grow. And we are also seeing more and more problems
of hybrid seeds may not be economical for you. and crop failure of vegetables grown outdoors, so there
is an indoor future for agriculture.
Low start-up costs - Farmers may start their
business with very low investment by simply supplying
one restaurant with their greens or producing enough
microgreens to sell at a farmer's market once a week and
rising production according to customer demand.
Quick turnaround time - Microgreens from seed to
harvest take around 7-14 days. A farmer doesn't have to
wait for a whole season or more to harvest.
Year-round growing - Microgreens can be grown
round the year and a farmer can use microgreens to earn
extra money and diversify their business for more profit.
Higher nutrition - Microgreens are ‘functional
foods’. They are a complete pack of different vitamins
and nutrients.

May–June 2021 27
 High-value crop - A farmer can sell their microgreens nutrient-rich than their mature counterparts. Concerning
to top restaurants and food stores to get higher prices and flavor acceptability, microgreens also have strong market
as a local producer they can also charge a premium for acceptability. By exposing them to low temperatures with
their microgreens. modified atmospheric packaging, consistency and quality
can be preserved.
SUMMARY
Microgreens are the immature form of green leafy
vegetables and can be harvested within 7-14 days including For further interaction, please write to:
stem and leaves. They have an appealing appearance, Kalpana Yadav, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural
soft texture, and powerful flavor, and supply a full pack University, Hisar, Haryana. *Corresponding author e-mail:
[email protected]
of essential nutrients. Microgreens are usually more

The Handbook of Agriculture is one of the most popular

publication of the ICAR with a wider readership. The
present edition presents science-led developments in
Indian agriculture, the ongoing research efforts at the
national level and with some ideas on the shape of
future agriculture. While information in some chapters
such as Soil and water, Land utilization, field and forage
crops has been updated with latest developments, many
new topics such as the Environment, agrobiodiversity,
Resource conservation technologies, IPM, Pesticides
residues, Seed production technologies, Energy in
agriculture, informatics, Biotechnology, Intellectural
Property Rights, Agricultural marketing and trading and
Indigenous Technical Knowledge have been included in the
present edition. For those who take intelligent interest in
agriculture – and their number is increasing fast – the
present edition would serve as a useful book.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Size : Royal Octavo (16 cm x 24 cm)
No. of pages : i-xii + 1618
Price : ` 1500
Postage : ` 100
ISBN No. : 978-81-7164-096-6

For obtaining copies:

Business Manager
Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture
Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-I, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012
Tel: 011-25843657, Fax: 09-11-25841282; E-mail: [email protected]

28 Indian Horticulture
 Arti Verma*
Technology

Cultivating Garden pea in Punjab

Pea (Pisum sativum) is a rich source of digestible proteins, vitamins and minerals
like iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Its green beans are very common in
Indian cuisine. Pea has a global value as food source for millions of people and
is extensively cultivated as pulse and vegetable crop. Being leguminous crop,
it fixes the atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic relation with root nodule
bacteria. In India, during 2019-2020, garden pea is grown over an area of
5,63,000 ha with the annual production of 57,03,000 metric tonnes. However, in
Punjab, pea is cultivated in about 43,860 ha area with the production of 4,60,450
tonnes mainly in Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr districts. Besides Punjab,
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh
and Bihar are major pea growing states. We can also preserve the green pods/
tender seeds for a long time by drying, canning or freezing in order to fetch higher
prices during the offseason. Pea is easy to grow, but have a very limited growing
season. Therefore, its cultivation as per recommendation of Punjab Agricultural
University is of utmost importance.

P EA, being a cool season crop, requires frost-free

weather especially at flowering and pod formation
stage though vegetative growth is not affected by the frost.
treated seed shade dry well before sowing. One packet
of culture is sufficient for one acre seed.
Nutrients application, irrigation and their timing are
The optimum temperature for its germination is about 20- the major prerequisite for growing healthy crop. Go for
25oC. Though, its seeds can germinate at 4-5 oC but under refined annual soil testing to know the nutrient status
severe frost condition, its flowers and young pods may be of the field and based on soil test report follow proper
damaged. High temperature reduces the pod quality as manuring and fertilization of the crop. Farmyard manure
sugars in the seeds changes to hemicellulose and starch. @ 8 tonnes should be properly incorporated at the time
A temperature above 27oC shortens its growing period of land preparation. Generally, pea crop has low nitrogen
but adversely affects pollination process.
Sowing time and seed rate play crucial role not only
in crop production but also in escape of several insect-
pests and diseases. Likewise, a healthy pea crop can
be possible only if sown between mid-October to mid-
November (for rabi season crop). Avoid early sowing of
crop in September to get rid of pea wilt to some extent.
The optimum seed rate is 45 kg/acre for early maturing
varieties, while 30 kg/acre for main season varieties. The
sowing should be done in line, with the spacing of 30
cm × 7.5 cm and 30 cm × 10 cm (row × plant) for early
and main season varieties, respectively. Farmers may also
make use of seed-cum-fertilizer pea drill having a sowing
capacity of one acre in an hour. Seed treatment prior to
sowing with Rhizobium leguminosarum culture is the
simplest way to increase pea production and quality as it
helps in quick nodulation on the roots which in turn fix
atmospheric nitrogen. Farmers can get this culture from
the Department of Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural
University, Ludhiana. Culture should be mixed
thoroughly in half litre of water and the suspension is
rubbed gently on all the four sides of the seeds. Let the Irrigation of the crop

May–June 2021 29
Plant protection

Major insects infesting pea crop and their management

Insect Symptoms

Leaf miner The greenish larvae make serpentine tunnel in the leaves and feed on it. The infested leaves wither and
(Chromatomyia horticola) dry. Flowering and pod formation are drastically affected.
Pea thrip Nymphs and adults of thrip cause severe damage to the young crop by sucking the cell sap from leaves
(Thrips indicus) and flowers.
Pea-stem fly The maggots of fly bore inside the stem leading to withering and ultimate drying of the affected shoots.
(Ophiomyia phaseoli) The adults also cause damage by puncturing the leaves, and the injured parts turn yellow. The damage
is more severe on seedlings than on the grown up plants
Management
a) At the time of sowing, apply 10 kg Furadan 3G (carbofuran) granules per acre.
b) Sow the crop in the second fortnight of October to escape the damage of this pest.

Major disease of pea and their management

Disease Symptoms Management

Powdery mildew First symptoms appear on the upper surface of the Sulfex @ 600 g in 200 litres of water per
(Erysiphe pisi) leaves as very small and discoloured spots which soon acre should be sprayed on the appearance of
give rise to enlarge white powdery areas on leaves, stem symptoms.
and pod. Multiple infections may cover the whole plant. 2 - 3 sprays may be given at 10 days interval.

Wilt, root rot and Wilt attacks young plants. The affected plants show Seed treatment with Talc based formulation of
collar rot yellow-orange internal discolouration in the lower Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 15 g per kg seed
(Fusarium oxysporum and internodes. Diseased plants appear unthrifty, variously before sowing is effective.
Rhizoctonia solani) dwarfed depending upon the severity of infection, and Avoid early sowing in infested areas.
may wilt and die.

Rust During December-January, yellow and reddish brown Remove and destroy weed host plants of this
(Uromyces viciae fabae) coloured raised pustules appeared on the ventral leaf disease (especially Rewari).
surface. Rust is more serious in the late sown crop. For controlling powdery mildew and rust together,
Sulfex @ 200 g can be sprayed in combination
with Indofil M-45 @ 400 g per acre

White rot Irregular water soaked spots on leaves, stem and pods Avoid pea crop sowing in fields where susceptible
(Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) appear. Symptoms are more frequent on pods which crops like brinjal, cauliflower, carrot are sown.
turn papery brown in colour in the later stage. Go for crop rotation with non-host crops like
White mycelial growth appears on the infected portion tomato and chilli. This will help in reducing the
under wet and cool weather. Black hard sclerotial bodies disease spread. All left over crop debris should
embeded in mycelium are formed within the pods. The be collected and burnt.
disease is high at flowering and pod formation stage.

requirement. Therefore, full dose of nitrogen 20 kg (45 kg Improved varieties

urea), phosphorus 25 kg (155 kg superphosphate) per acre Varieties on the basis of period of maturity :
should be applied before sowing. A pre-sowing irrigation is Early maturing varieties: AP-3, Matar Ageta-7,
essential for proper seed germination. For the production Matar Ageta-6 and Arkel.
of peas, first irrigation should be done after 15 days of Main season varieties: Punjab-89 and Mithi Phali
sowing. Irrigations at flowering and pod formation stage
are necessary. This crop can also be grown under rainfed Important precautions
conditions provided with sufficient moisture at the time of a) Avoid spraying the crop with hazardous insecticides/
sowing. A total of 3-4 irrigations are required depending fungicides at least 20 days before the picking of pods.
upon soil type and weather conditions. Two hoeings are b) Avoid direct contact with chemicals while treating the
necessary after 4th and 8th week of germination to keep seeds with insecticide/ fungicide.
the field free from weeds. Hoeing helps in weed removal c) Always use rubber gloves for application of granules/
and pulverizes the soil for proper aeration. However, it insecticides.
is difficult to control the weeds manually, if the crop is d) Keep the insecticides / fungicides in a store far from
sown in rows in closed spacing. living area.
Well developed and green pods (with tender seeds)
should be harvested always. Number of pickings depends
upon the maturity group of peas. Picking should be done
either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. For further interaction, please write to:
Picking during mid day deteriorates the quality of pea Arti Verma, PAU, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Langrova, Punjab
pod due to heat stress. 144 516. *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

30 Indian Horticulture
 Priyanka Suryavanshi*
Technology and Dipender Kumar

Livelihood security of small and marginal

farmers through Ocimum cultivation

In view of achieving the target of doubling farmers income by March 2022, there
is a need to identify crops and varieties that may suit resource poor farmers.
Introduction, adaption and acceptance of new crops, varieties and latest technical
knowhow for crop production can potentially strengthen farmers’ cropping systems
by increasing yields, improving drought resilience and also by capturing new
market opportunities. In this context, ocimum cultivation may be adopted by small
and marginal farmers of India. It is a miracle plant which is valued for its medicinal
properties. It has been harvested for use in Ayurveda treatments for 5,000 years
and is known as the ‘Queen of Herbs’. Essential oil of ocimum is widely used in
perfumery, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and confectionary industries. Farmers may
adopt ocimum cultivativation in rainfed areas in Kharif season as it requires lower
input and gives better returns, thus it has the potential of enhancing farmers
income.

T HE aromatic plants belonging to genus Ocimum is

popularly known by the name Basil. Basil was derived
from greek word ‘Basilica’ which means royal plant. Basil
constituents of this oil are eugenol, eugenol methyl ether
and carvacrol. The oil is reported to possess anti-bacterial
and antiviral properties. Drugs obtained from tulsi are
is an excellent shrub and known as the ‘queen of herbs’. used to cure fever, decreases inflammation and increases
It belongs to the family of ‘Lamiacea’. In India, Basil is stamina. It is used in treating coughs, bronchitis, skin
cultivated over an area of 25,000 ha and it accounts for diseases, and diarrhea. These preparations are considered
annual production of about 250-300 tonnes of oil. The to be prophylactic against epidemics including cholera,
annual export of dry leaves herb, its products, essential influenza and malaria. The tulsi seeds, taken mixed in
oil, and its derivatives/chemical constituents of Ocimum water, juice or cow’s milk, are antioxidant, nourishing,
are worth 5,000 tonnes. mucilaginous and demulcent. They are used in treating
Tulsi leaves contain a bright yellow volatile oil which low energy, ulcers, vomiting and diarrhea or as an overall
is useful against insects and bacterial. The principle tonic. The herb improves resistance to stress and has

Field view of Ocimum crop at maturity stage

May–June 2021 31
 Field view of one month old Ocimum crop

a normalizing influence on blood pressure and blood with 99% purity. The linalool obtained from this variety
sugar imbalances. The plant is also richly endowed with is superior to that obtained from lavender and will be a
bioavailable antioxidants, vitamins A and C and calcium. cheaper source of linalool for the industry.
It has marked insecticidal activity against mosquitoes.
The oil is used as antiperspirant and as fly and mosquito Holy Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
repellent. CSIR-CIMAP is actively involved in both Tulsi is well known for its traditional medicinal values
genetic enhancement of the Ocimum species as well as due to its antioxidant and anti-ageing properties. The
developing various cultivation practices for increasing decoction of leaves is effective for relief from seasonal cold
yield of herb and oil yield. Commercial farming of and cough and stomach disorders. The crop is cultivated
genus Ocimum can be grouped in cultivation of these by a large number of farmers which can give a net profit
two species. of about ` 70–80,000 per ha.
CI M-Ayu: The variety CIM-Ayu developed by
Indian basil (Ocimum basilicum) CSIR-CIMAP has the potential to produce 16 q dry leaf
Indian basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a short-duration yield or 110 kg/ha oil rich in eugenol (83%) even in rainy
crop and is cultivated in India for its essential oil used season. The variety is being cultivated as annual crop
extensively in flavour, fragrance, food, oral health, etc. in around 4000 ha in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat,
The crop thrives well on moderate fertile and well-drained Karnataka and Maharashtra states of India for its leaf oil
sandy loam oil. It can be grown in subtropical and tropical and dry leaves for use in herbal tea.
climate conditions. Temperate climate is not suitable for CI M-Angna: The plant morphology is distinct
this crop. CSIR-CIMAP has developed high-yielding by having greyish purple stem with green leaves,
varieties with chemical variability, namely, CIM-Saumya, which turn purplish in winter season. The variety
CIM-Snigdha and CIM-Surabhi. The crop is propagated is producing dry leaf herb yield (14 q/ha) or 90 kg/
by seeds/seedlings during months of June and July, ha essential oil yield containing eugenol (40%) and
and it can yield about 80 kg oil giving a net profit of germacrene-D (16%).
` 35,000–40,000 per ha in about 3 months.
Improved agronomic practices for basil cultivation
Varieties
CIM-Saumya: The variety is a short-duration crop of Soil
3 months and has the potential to produce about 80–100 Ocimum cultivation is avoided in highly saline,
kg/ha oil rich in methyl chavicol (62%) and linalool (25%). alkaline or water logged conditions as these are not good
CIM-Snigdha: This variety developed by CSIR- for its yield. It gives best result when grown under well
CIMAP is distinct in leaf morphology and has unique drained soil with good organic matter. Well drained soil
aroma. The variety matures in 80–90 days yielding ranging from pH 5.5-7 suits best for its growth.
essential oil rich in methyl cinnamate content (78.7%).
CIM-Surabhi: The essential oil of sweet basil with Seed and sowing
linalool, linalool acetate in desired combinations is used About 500 g seeds are enough to raise the seedlings
in various cosmetic and perfumery products. This high for transplanting in one hectare of land. Seed beds of 4.5
oil-yielding variety (100–120 kg/ha) is developed with × 1.0 × 0.2 m size are prepared. Before sowing, to protect
a unique chemical composition having 70–75% linalool crop from soil borne disease and pests, seeds are treated

32 Indian Horticulture
 Ocimum basilicum crop at full bloom stage

with Mancozeb @ 5 gm/kg of seeds. The seeds are very weeding is done one month after planting and the second
small and hence it should be mixed with sand and sown 4 weeks later. One hoeing and earthing up operation
to a depth of 2 cm. After sowing, the seeds in the nursery, is required at two months after planting. Use mulch to
a mixture of farm yard manure and soil should be spread maintain soil moisture and to inhibit growth of weeds.
in a thin layer over the seeds and irrigate with a sprinkler Do not use chemical herbicides to eradicate weeds and
hose. The seeds germinate in 8-12 days and the seedlings do not keep weeds till flowering as this will increase weed
are ready for transplanting in about 25-30 days time. A pressure in coming years
spray of 2% urea solution on the nursery plants at 15
to 20 days before transplanting helps in getting healthy Harvesting
seedlings for transplanting. Harvesting is usually done in bright sunny days for
good oil yield and quality. The crop is harvested at 90-
Transplanting 95 days after planting in a stage when the plant is in
Seedlings of six weeks old and having 4-5 leaves are full bloom and the lower leaves start turning yellowish.
transplanted in July at a spacing of 45 × 30 cm to get high The whole plant is harvested after leaving about 15 cm
herbage and oil yield. Water seedling beds 24 hours before from the ground level for regeneration of the crop. The
transplanting so that seedlings can be easily uprooted harvested produce will be allowed to wilt in the field
and remain turgid at transplanting time. The plots are for 4-5 hours so as to reduce the moisture and also the
irrigated immediately after transplanting. The seedlings bulkiness.
will establish well by the time of second irrigation. At this
stage, gap filling and replacement of the poor plants are Post-harvest processing
also done so that uniform plant stand is achieved. Post-harvest processing is usually the most critical
stage in determining the end quality of the aromatic
Crop nutrition plant material. After harvesting, drying of leaves
As Tulsi is grown for its herbage, it is necessary to is done. Then steam distillation is done to obtain
frequently replenish the soil. Farm yard manure / compost Basil oil. The oil should be stored in sealed amber
are to be applied at 10-15 t/ha before planting. Ensure coloured glass bottles, containers made of stainless steel,
that FYM / compost is well decomposed before use. The galvanised tanks, aluminium containers in a cool and dry
optimum fertilizer dose recommended for this crop is 80 place. For transportation, it is packed in airtight bags.
kg N, 40 kg of P2 O5 and 40 kg K2 O per hectare. Leaves should be stored in dry places. From herb, several
One third dose of N and the entire dose of P2O5 and K2O products like Panch Tulsi oil, Tulsi Ginger, Tulsi Powder,
should be given as a basal dose, whereas, the remaining N Tulsi Tea and Tulsi Capsules are made after processing.
is applied in two split doses after first and second cuttings. Extraction of oil through steam distillation is better than
Application of 1-1.5 kg farm yard manure/m2 in nursery hydro-distillation as it takes less time and improves the
is recommended for obtaining healthy seedling. oil recovery.

Irrigation Expected returns

In summer, apply 3 irrigation per month and in rainy An average yield of 20 tonnes of green herbage and
season, no irrigation is required. About 12-15 irrigations 100-120 kg/ha from whole herb will be obtained. Tulsi
should be given in one year. First irrigation should be farming involves an average cost of cultivation ` 45,000/
given after transplanting and then second irrigation is ha and gross returns of ` 1,00,000/ha after selling the herb,
given during seedling establishment. Apply mulch to thus leading to a net return of ` 55,000/ha.
conserve soil moisture. However, before harvesting,
irrigation should be discontinued.
For further interaction, please write to:
Intercultural operation Priyanka Suryavanshi, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and
Weeds have to be managed before they start Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. *Corresponding author
e-mail: [email protected]
competing with the main crop for nutrients and light. First

May–June 2021 33
 Continued from Cover II Some unique fruits for...

a long and up to 7-9 cm wide. The fruit has a more or less

pronounced oxalic acid odour and the flavour ranges
from very sour to mildly sweetish. There are two distinct
type of carambola–the smaller, very sour type and the
larger and sweet type. The carambola is found growing
in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Carambola grows
well on sand, heavy clay or limestone, but loamy soil is
best. It cannot stand water logging. Carambola is usually
multiplied by seed, air-layering and Inarching. The tree
required humid tropical and sub-tropical climate and
sunny place. It is generally planted at 6 × 6 m distance.
Half kg mixture of N, P, K, Mg (6-6-6-3) may be given 3
to 4 times per year for good growth and yield. It requires
light irrigation in dry seasons. Carambola fruits mature in
August–September and February–March. The fruits fall
at ripening. A tree may yield 40 to 90 kg fruits. Carambola
fruits are eaten fresh and served in salads. They are also
cooked to prepare jam, chutney and curries.

Fruiting of Bilimbi (a) and ripe fruits (b)

handling because of the thin skin. They cannot be stored

for more than a few days. The bilimbi is generally
regarded as too acidic for eating raw. The fruits are used
to make chutney, salad etc.

Carambola
Carambola (star fruit; Averrhoa carambola L.) belongs
to family oxalidaceae. It is believed to have originated
in Ceylon and the Moluccas but it has been cultivated in
Fruiting branch of carambola (a) and ripe fruits (b)
southeast Asia for many centuries. The carambola tree
is slow growing, short-trunked with a much-branched,
bushy, rounded crown which may reach 6-9 m height. Natal plum
The leaves are compound and spirally arranged. The Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) is a close relative
flowers are borne in small clusters and are red-stalked, of Karonda. It is native to South Africa. It is small to
lilac, purple streaked coloured. The fruits are waxy, moderate size, thorny shrub which can tolerate salinity
orange-yellow, oblong, longitudinally angled, 6-15 cm and salty winds and is good crop for coastal areas. The

34 Indian Horticulture
 a a

Fruiting twig of Citrus hindsi (a) and ripe fruits (b)

2-4 m tall tree. The branches are light-green and angled

when young, with a few spines. The fruit is oval-oblong
Fruiting shoot of natal plum (a) and ripe fruits (b) or round, 1.6-4 cm wide. The fruit rind is golden-yellow
to reddish-orange and edible. The pulp is acid to subacid
plant is short, compact with shiny, deep green leaves. It and contains small seeds. Kumquats are believed to be
requires hot humid sub-tropical climate but can tolerate native to China. The various kumquats are distinguished
low temperature (up to -5° C). It is also drought resistant, as botanical species rather than as cultivars. Kumquat
grows well in full sun as well as shade. It can be grown requires moderate temperature ranging from 26 to
in any soil such as limestone, heavy clay, sandy having 37º C, but could withstand frost. Kumquats are rarely
good drainage. Natal plum is easy to multiply by seeds grown from seed as they do not do well on their own
and vegetative means. Its seeds germinate two to four roots. They are usually grafted onto the trifoliate orange.
weeks after sowing. It can be easily multiplied by stem Kumquats are planted at 1.5-2 m distance. For pot
cutting and air layering. Vegetatively propagated plants culture, they can not be allowed to become pot-bound,
produce fruits within two years while seedling takes 4-5 and need sufficient watering and nutrition. Fresh kumquats
years to fruits. Natal plum can be planted as hedge like can be eaten raw and preserved whole in sugar syrup.
karonda. Regular pruning is required to restrain the size of Kumquats are excellent for making marmalade. The
plant and increase yield. It usually flowers in April–May fruit may be pickled by merely packing in jars of water,
and September–October in Bengaluru conditions but few vinegar, and salt.
flowers may be seen around the year. The flowers are
snowy white, scented and larger than karonda. Fruits are Hog plum
plumpy, oblong - round, 2-3 cm long and 1-2 cm wide, Hog plum (Spondias mombin L.) is medium sized
crimson red coloured and sweet. The fruit are rich in tree which belongs to family Anacardiaceae. It is native
carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals (Table 1). The fruit to southern Mexico to Peru and Brazil and common in
can be eaten fresh or used to prepare jams, jellies, and moist lowland forests. The leaves are deciduous, alternate,
sauces. The fruit has potential to improve nutrition, boost pinnate, 20-45 cm long with 5-15 cm long leaflets. The
food security and support sustainable land development. flowers are small, fragrant, whitish, borne in panicles of
15-30 cm long and attract lot of bees. The fruits are borne
Kumquat in clusters aromatic, ovoid or oblong, 3-4 cm long and
Hongkong kumquat (Fortunella hindsii Swingle syn. up to 2.5 cm wide. The fruits are golden-yellow coloured
Citrus hindsi), belongs to the sub-family Aurantioideae with thin, tough skin, very juicy pulp, very acidic. It is
of the Rutaceae. It is slow-growing, shrubby, compact, grown to a limited extent in India. It is well-adapted to

May–June 2021 35
 a a

b b

Fruiting twig of hog plum (a) and mature fruits (b) Fruiting twig of sour karonda (a) and mature fruits (b)

arid as well as humid zones. The tree may be propagated Pant Manohar, Pant Sudarshan, Pant Suvarna which are
by seeds but it can be multiplied by cuttings which root pink red coloured pickle type varieties while Konkan
quickly. The tree is fast-growing in full sun. The tree bold, CHES K-II-7 and CHESK-35 are dark black
flowers in November and December and again in March, coloured, bold size and table purpose varieties. Karonda
and the fruits ripen in June to August, and in November– is propagated through seed and vegetative methods such
December. The raw fruits are used for pickle and chutney as cutting, layering and budding. It is planted at 3×3 m
making. Ripe fruits are eaten fresh or used to make jam distance in orchards or at 0.6 m distance as hedge. One-
and various other things. The juice is used to prepare ice year old plant should be provided 5 kg of FYM and 100
cream, cool beverages and jelly. gm mixture of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash. This
dose should be increased proportionately up to 3 years.
Karonda Training of plant in the initial stage is essential to provide
Karonda (Carissa carandas) belongs to Apocynaceae the required framework. Pruning is required every year
family. It is an evergreen medium-sized, thorny shrub or to maintain the size of the plant and yield. Karonda plant
short stature tree. It grows naturally all over the country starts yielding after 3 years. In Western Ghats, flowering
particularly lower Himalayas and Western Ghats. It is takes place from December to March and fruit mature
a well suited to arid climate and grown well at higher in the month of April to June. All fruits generally do not
temperature and used for making hedge for orchards. It matures at one time therefore harvesting is generally done
produces berry-sized fruits bright red to Reddish black in 3-4 times. A plant may yield 4-5 kg fruits. The fruits are
colour. Karonda fruit is a rich source of iron and contains used as fresh fruit or pickle making. It is also used for
a fair amount of Vitamin C (Table 1). It is a very hardy, jam, jelly, squash, syrup, chutney, etc.
drought-tolerant plant that thrives well in a wide range
of soils. It can be grown successfully in tropical and sub- Miracle fruit
tropical climate. Plant growth is affected in high rainfall Miracle fruit is native of Africa. The fruits are not
and waterlogged areas. Karonda is grown successfully on a sweet but they contain a glycoprotein named miraculin
wide range of soil types, viz. sandy loams, laterite, alluvial which binds to receptors on the taste buds resulting in
sand, and calcareous soil but good growth and higher yield acidic foods to taste sweet. This effect lasts from a half
can be obtained in alluvial sandy loam soils with good hour to two hours. It is an evergreen, dense shrub, which
drainage. There are several released cultivars of Karonda. usually may grow up to 3 m height. The leaf is simple,

36 Indian Horticulture
 a b a

Fruiting twig of miracle fruit (a) and ripe fruits (b)

5-8 cm long, 2-3 cm wide. These forms cluster at the tip

of branchlets. The plant starts bearing after 3-4 years of b
planting. The plant grows well in acidic soil (4.5-5.8 pH).
They require tropical climate with high humidity. The
plants perform good under partial shade but can tolerate
drought and bright sunshine. It is multiplied through
seeds. The seeds germinate in 15-20 day. The seedling
became ready for planting in one year. Planting can be
done at 4-m distance. The plant starts fruiting after 3-4
years. There are two fruiting season September -October
and February -March. The flowers are small and white.
The fruit are bright red coloured and 2-3 cm long. The
fruit contains one seed. The fruits can be used as food
additive. The fruit extract can be used as a low-calorie or
noncaloric sweetener. The leaves are sometimes infested
by leaf eating caterpillars and fruits are infested by fruit fly. Fruiting branch of passion fruit (a) and ripe fruits (b)

Passion fruit around the year under tropical humid conditions, but
Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) is a native of Brazil. there are two main flowering periods March–April and
It belongs to the family Passifloraceae. It is grown mostly August–September. About 60-70 days are required from
in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. In India, fruit set to the harvest of fruit. Harvesting is done when
passion fruit was introduced in early part of 20th century fruit turns slightly coloured. A vine may yield 10-12 kg
in Southern India. It is a perennial, vigorous, climbing, fruit.
woody vine which produces round or ovoid fruits. Fruits
have a tough, smooth, waxy dark purple/yellow coloured Phalsa
rind and orange coloured pulpy juice. The fruits are Phalsa (Grawia subinaequalis DC) is fruit of Indian
generally processed to make fruit juice, concentrate, etc. origin which belongs to Tiliaceae family. The phalsa is
Fruits are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and minerals a medium shrub, which may attain a height of 4 m. It is
(Table 1). Passion fruit is used for urinary infections and cultivated on a commercial scale mainly in the northern
as a mild diuretic, digestive stimulant and health tonic. and western states of India. Phalsa fruits contain high
Passion fruit is grown on many soil types but light to carbohydrate, vitamin A and antioxidant value (Table
heavy sandy loams, of medium texture are most suitable. 1). The phalsa fruits are rich in potassium, which plays
It is propagated through seed, stem cutting, grafting and important role in energy metabolism and normalizing
serpentine-layering technique. Passion fruit has three blood pressure. Phalsa is a sub-tropical fruit plant but can
types, yellow and purple and their hybrids. The yellow be grown in wide climatic conditions. Phalsa plant grows
passion is more acidic and less starchy while the purple are vigorously and produces satisfactorily under variable soil
less acidic and more starchy but both types are cultivated. types including fine sand, clay or even limestone. But
In India, there is no released variety of both yellow and loamy soil is best for the growth and productivity. It is
purple types. The local lines of Purple types and yellow propagated by various methods such as seed, cutting,
types are cultivated by the growers. A hybrid of yellow grafting and layering but seed and stem cuttings are most
and purple form named ‘Kaveri’ has been developed popular methods of multiplication. There is no recognized
at IIHR RS, Chettalli which is popular throughout the variety of phalsa, but local varieties such as tall, dwarf,
country. Passion fruit is planted at a spacing of 3 × 2 m Local and Sharbati, etc. are grown in different growing
distance. The vines are trained on a frame of wires regions. It is planted at 2.5 to 4 m distance. Planting can
and poles for commercial cultivation but for backyard be done in July –August. It needs regular annual pruning
gardens these may be trained on the tree or over fence. to cut the old growth and to enhance the new growth
Passion fruit requires regular irrigation. A fertilizer dose and yield. Phalsa is a drought tolerant plant and does
of 110 g N, 60 g P2O5 and 110 g K2O per vine per year not require frequent irrigation. The phalsa plant shows
is recommended for 4 years. Passion fruit bears flowers good response to nitrogen applications. Phalsa plant starts

May–June 2021 37
 fruiting after 15 to 18 months of planting but the good
a
yield is obtained only after three years of planting. The
flowering starts in the month of February–March and
continue for almost one month. The flowers are small 1
to 2 cm diameter and bright orange-yellow in colour. The
fruits are very small (1-2 cm diameter), round, purple to
crimson red in colour when ripe. The fruit are harvested
in April and May. The average fruit yield is 5 to 10 kg per
plant. The average fruit weight is 1.0 to 2.0 g. Fruits ripe
45 to 55 days after flowering. The fruits are sweet acid in
taste with mild pleasant flavour. Phalsa fruit has a short
shelf life suitable only for local marketing. The phalsa is
b used for preparation of Phalsa juice (sorbet) and squash.

Star gooseberry
Star gooseberry (Phyllanthus acidus ) is a small tree
with dense and bushy crown. It prefers hot, humid tropical
conditions with a short dry season. Star gooseberry is
found throughout sub-tropical and tropical Asia, Central
and south America. It is considered that it originated in
Madagascar and south Asia. It can be multiplied by seed
and vegetative means. The seeds germinate easily and are
main method of propagation. The soft wood and semi-
hard wood cutting and air layering may also be used for
multiplication. The plant grows rapidly and starts bearing
at the age of 2-3 years. It usually flowers two time in a
Flowering twig of phalsa (a) and ripe fruits (b)

Table 1. Nutritional value of fruits (per 100 g edible portion)

Nutrient Barbados Bilambi Carambola Hog Natal Karonda Surinam Star Purple Miracle Phalsa Kamq
cherry plum plum cherry goose passion fruit uat
berry fruit
Energy (kcal) 32 - 31 48 62 42 43-51 - - - - 274
Moisture (%) 92.0 94.2 92.0 90 84.1 91 90.7 91.7 85.6 59.5 80.8
Carbohydrate 7.69 6.73 4.6 13.63 2.9 7.93- 6.4 13.6 18.8 21.1 72.1
(%) 12.5
Protein (%) 0.4 0.61 1.04 0.7 0.5 1.1 0.92 0.71 0.9 7.7 1.5 -
Fat (%) 0.3 0.6 0.33 0.4 1.3 2.9 0.64 0.52 0.1 3.4 0.9 3.8
Fibre (%) 1.1 2.80 g 1.0 - - 0.48 0.7 4.4 1.2 0.4
Vitamin A 38ug 0.035 61 IU 270 - - 1600IU 717IU 0.04mg 419ug 2530
(mg) ug
Vitamin B1 0.02 0.010 0.014 0.02 0.04 - 0.03 0.05 Trace - - 0.35
(mg)
Vitamin 0.06 0.026 0.016 0.2 0.06 - 0.04 0.01 0.1 - - 0.40
B2(mg)
Vitamin 0.4 0.302 - 0.3 0.2 - 0.03 1.5 - 0.3 -
B3(mg)
Vitamin 1677.6 15.5 34.4 21 38 220-200 20-30 8 30 22.7 22 151
C(mg)
Calcium (mg) 12 3.4 3 36 11 2.1 9 5 3.6 1 129 266
Phosphorus 11 11.1 12 11 7 28 11 23 12.5 - 39 97
(mg)
Potassium 146 - 133 - - - - - - - 375 995
(mg)
Iron (mg) 0.02 1.01 0.08 3.9 1.13 - 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.24 3.1 1.7
Magnesium 18 - 10 - 16 - - - - - - -
(mg)
Sodium(mg) 7 - 0.016 - - - - - - - - -
Zinc(mg) - - 0.12 - - - - - - 0.09 - -

38 Indian Horticulture
 singly or in cluster of 2-4 in leaf
a b
axils. The fruits are ribbed, oblate,
2-4 cm diameter, bright-red to
deep-scarlet coloured at ripening.
The fruit pulp is orange-red, juicy,
acid - sweet with 1 to 3 smaller
seeds. Surinam cherry is adapted
to tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Young plants are damaged by low
temperature. The plant requires full
sunshine. It requires only moderate
rainfall and being deep-rooted,
can stand a long dry season. The
Surinam cherry grows in almost in
Fruiting in star gooseberry (a) and mature fruits (b)
all type of soils, But it is intolerant

a b

Fruiting branches of Surinam cherry (a) and ripe fruits (b)

year in moist humid area in February–March and August– to salt. Seeds are common mean of propagation. They
September. Flowers are formed at leafless parts of the main remain viable for around one month and fresh seeds
branches, at the upper part of the tree. These are borne germinate in 3 to 4 weeks. Layering has been successful.
in clusters composed of male, female or hermaphrodite Regular fertilizer application promotes fruiting. The
flowers. The flowers are small and pinkish and appear fruits develop and ripen quickly, only 3 weeks after the
in clusters in 5 to 12.5 cm long panicles at leafless parts flowers open. The plants bloom in May–June and fruits
of the main branches, at the upper part of the tree. The ripe within a month, they bloom again in October and
fruit is ripe between 90-100 days. The fruits are numerous, November. The fruits should be picked only when they
oblate, with 6 to 8 ribs, and are densely clustered. They are so ripe as to fall into the hand at the lightest touch.
are pale yellow or white, waxy, crisp, juicy and very sour. The pruned bushes may yield 2-3 kg per plant. The fruits
The fruits mature in May and October–November. A can be eaten fresh. The syruped fruits are excellent for
mature tree may yield 5-7 kg fruits. The raw or ripe fruits fruit cups, salads and pudding, ice cream. They are often
are used for making chutneys or souring agents. The pulp used to make jam, jelly, or pickles.
is rich in carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins (Table 1).

Surinam cherry
Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) is a shrub with For further interaction, please write to:
spreading branches. It is native of Surinam, Guyana and Prakash Chandra Tripathi, (Principal Scientist), Division of
French Guiana to southern Brazil. It was introduced in Fruit Crops, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research,
Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bengaluru 560 089. *Corresponding
India by Portuguese voyagers long back. The leaves are
author e-mail: [email protected]
ovate to ovate-lanceolate. The flowers are white, borne

May–June 2021 39
 A D Munshi, T K Behera,
Research Amish K Sureja*, B S Tomar,
J Singh and S S Dey

Pusa Gynoecious Cucumber Hybrid-18

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), known as Khira in Hindi is a very popular and
important vegetable grown in hills and plains of India. It is used as salad, pickle
and also as cooked vegetable. Apart from being used as salad, it is also used for
pickling and rayata preparation. Due to good taste and low energy content, they
are regarded as refreshing condiment. In north Indian plains, generally two crops
are taken in a year viz. spring-summer and kharif season crops. The consumer
preference in India is long cylindrical type, medium thick indigenous (desi) hybrid
of cucumber with earliness and high yielding ability. Keeping in view these facts, a
gynoecious cucumber hybrid Pusa Gynoecious Cucumber Hybrid-18 was developed
by Division of Vegetable Science IARI, New Delhi and recommended by AICRP
(vegetable crops) for cultivation in Zone I [Humid Western Himalayan Region i.e.
Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand] during spring-
summer and kharif season and subsequently notified by central sub-committee on
crop standards, notification and release of varieties of horticultural crops during
the year 2021.

P USA Gynoecious Cucumber Hybrid-18 (DGCH-18)

is a gynoecy based hybrid which becomes ready for
first harvesting in 40-45 days after sowing during spring-
2018-19 along with check PCUCH-3. The results indicated
that Pusa Gynoecious Cucumber Hybrid-18 yielded 24.52
t/ha which was 31.44% higher than check PCUCH-3
summer and kharif season. Fruits are attractive green (Table 1). At multilocation testing DGCH-18 has fruit
in colour with mild whitish green stripes originating length of 18.36 cm (Table 2) and average fruit weight
from the blossom end 212.88 g (Table 3).
and brownish green
blotchy patches present Cultivation
near the stem end; 18- It can be grown
20 cm long having soft successfully on all type
skin, crispy and tender of soils but prefers well-
flesh with average fruit drained loam and sandy
weight 200 g. Average loam soils rich in organic
yield in AICRP (VC) matter. The seed rate is
trials at six Centres over 1.5-2.0 kg per hectare.
3 years is 24.52 t/ha, Seed should be treated
which is 31.44% higher with 2 g Captan/ Thiram
than National check per Kg of seed. As a
PCUCH-3. spring-summer crop, it is
sown from mid February
Performance of Pusa to February end and as
Gynoecious Cucumber kharif season crop in
Hybrid-18 June-end. The seeds are
Pusa Gynoecious sown in the hills 45-60
Cucumber Hybrid-18 cm apart on the slope
(D GCH-18) has been of channels prepared
tested in yield trial at a distance of 2.0 m.
at several centers The spacing between
throughout India in channels is increased to
AICRP (vegetable crops) 2.5 m when sowing is
trials from 2016-17 to done on both the sides.
Fruits of ‘Pusa Gynoecious Cucumber Hybrid-18’

40 Indian Horticulture
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42 Indian Horticulture
Table 1. Mean performance of Pusa Gynoecious Cucumber Hybrid-18 (DGCH-18) in AICRP (VC) from
2016-17 to 2018-19

Entry IET (2016-17) AVT–I (2017-18) AVT–II (2018-19) Average yield % increase over
(t/ha) check

DGCH–18 24.65 24.51 24.40 24.52 31.44

PCUCH-3 20.94 17.40 17.63 18.65

(Check)

Table 2. Average fruit length (cm) of Pusa Gynoecious Cucumber Hybrid-18 (DGCH-18) in AICRP (VC) from
2016-17 to 2018-19

Entry IET (2016-17) AVT–I (2017-18) AVT–II (2018-19) Average fruit length (cm)

DGCH–18 16.55 18.69 19.83 18.36

PCUCH-3 (Check) 17.28 17.77 18.55 17.87

Table 3. Average fruit weight (g) of Pusa Gynoecious Cucumber Hybrid-18 (DGCH-18) in AICRP (VC) from
2016-17 to 2018-19

Entry IET (2016-17) AVT–I (2017-18) AVT–II (2018-19) Average fruit weight (g)

DGCH–18 214.70 217.45 206.49 212.88

PCUCH-3 (Check) 225.40 184.33 188.92 199.55

Two to three seeds are sown 2 cm deep in each hill. seedlings from damping off and other root borne diseases.
Bower or trellis system of training is preferred during Downy mildew and virus are the major problem during
kharif season to obtain high yield and disease free crop. kharif season. A need based spray of Imidachlorpid @
Apply 15-20 tonnes of well-rotten organic manure per 0.3 ml/l or acetamiprid @ 0.3 gm/litre of water followed
hectare before field preparation and 100 kg urea, 200 kg by Dimecron @ 2ml/liter of water at two to three weeks
single super phosphate and 80 kg muriate of potash at interval should be applied judiciously to prevent the crop
the time of last ploughing. Another dose of 50 kg urea from Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus and important
should be top-dressed at 8-10 leaf stage. Spray 1 % urea if sucking pests like aphid and whitefly.
crop growth is poor. When seedlings become 8-10 cm tall,
thinning should be done to keep 1 or 2 seedlings per hill. SUMMARY
Weeds are controlled by 2-3 hoeing and hand weeding Pusa Gynoecious Cucumber Hybrid-18 is a gynoecy
in the channels and between the channel. Crop needs based hybrid of cucumber with earliness and desirable
earthing up twice at one month interval to facilitate good horticultural traits for spring summer and kharif season
root development and to reduce the weeds. Care should cultivation in Zone IV (Sub-humid Sutlej- Ganga
be taken that fruits should not touch the wet ground Alluvial Plains i.e. Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and
surface by providing some support under the fruit at the Jharkhand). Apart from superior quality characters, it
time of maturity to avoid rotting especially during kharif showed 31.44% higher yield over the National check
season hybrid PCUCH-3.
Irrigation is given in the channels. Frequent irrigations
during summer crop and light irrigations during rainy
season crop depending upon the weather conditions. It
is ready for first harvesting in 40-45 days and 50-55 days For further interaction, please write to:
after sowing during kharif and spring-summer season, Amish K Sureja, (Principal Scientist), Division of Vegetable
respectively. Drenching with ridomil @ 2 g/litre and Science, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
110 012. *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]
blitox @ 3g/litre of water is necessary to prevent the

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful;

they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.
– Luther Burbank

May–June 2021 43
 T Janakiram
Hort Fact Sheet

Carambola (Star fruit) at a glance

Flowering branch Fruiting branch Mature fruits Ripe fruit

Carambola Believed to be originated in Sri Lanka and the Moluccas, cultivated in southeast Asia and
Malaysia for many centuries. Very sour type, richly flavoured with more oxalic acid; the
larger, sweet type, mild-flavoured with less oxalic acid.
Botanical name Averrhoa carambola L.
Family Oxalidaceae
Economic part Fruit
Propagation techniques Seed, Cleft-grafting, Air-layering
Nursery period 10-12 months
Multiplication time July-September
Spacing 6mx6m
Climate and soil Tropical and sub-tropical, thrives up to an elevation of 4,000 ft (1,200 m) with evenly
requirements distributed rainfall throughout year
Leaf Compound, spirally arranged, alternate leaves, 20-25 cm long, with 5-11 nearly opposite, Grown up tree
ovate-oblong leaflets 3 to 8 cm in length.
Growth form Perennial, vigorous
Flowering period February-March, July-August
Pollination Cross pollination
Pollinating agents Insects
Economic yield After 6 years
Yield 30-40 kg/tree
First harvest 3 years
Harvesting method Fruit manually Partial ripe fruits

Harvesting period July-September, November-December Carambola

Pests Fruit fly, fruit moths and fruit spotting bugs

Diseases Brown spot, Root rot
Shelf life 5-7 days
Shelf life in cold storage 2 weeks at 10oC

Nutritional value of Averrhoa carambola L. ( Per 100 g of edible portion)

Nutrient Quantity Nutrient Quantity
Energy 31 Kcal Riboflavin 0.016 mg Cross and vertical
section of the fruit
Carbohydrates 6.73 g Sodium 2 mg
Protein 1.04 g Potassium 133 mg
Total Fat 0.33 g Calcium 3 mg
Dietary Fiber 2.80 g Iron 0.08 mg
Vitamin A 61 IU Magnesium 10 mg
Vitamin C 34.4 mg Potassium 12mg
Thiamin 0.014 mg Zinc 0.12 mg

For further details, please contact or write to: Cross sectional view
of the mature fruit
Dr. P.C. Tripathi
ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research,
Bengaluru, Karnataka 560 089