JACKFRUIT

Jackfruit is also known as poor mans fruit. It is commercial crop native of western ghat. It is major and staple food of Southeast Asia. In India, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are major Jackfruit growing states. In UP, its regular plantation is exist. In other states it is grow as mixed crop or as shade tree. Jackfruit is major source of Vitamins and minerals. It is used as vegetable and ripe fruit is used for eating purpose. Several products like Jam, nectar, squash etc., are prepared from Jackfruits. It also possess medicinal property i.e. used in cancer treatment and for skin treatment.

AIt required well drained, rich fertile soil for cultivation. pH of soil should be in range of 6 to 7.5. It is tolerant to soil having lime and chlorine content. Also soils near river beds are suitable for its cultivation.  

Pant Mahima: Tall and spreading variety with light green to light brown fruits. It is used for table purpose as well as for cooking purpose. Average weight of fruit is about 6.5 kg.

For planting, pits of "1mx1mx1m" are dug in summer and then kept open in sun. It will kill harmful bacteria and protect crop soil borne pest and diseases. Then fill pits with Farm Yard Manure or well decomposed cowdung@20-30kg, Single Super Phosphate@0.5kg and Phorate@10-20gm. Plant 3-4 seeds per pit. 

Time of sowing
Optimum time for Jackfruit planting is in month of June-July.  

Propagation by seeds

Seed Treatment
Soak seeds in NAA solution@25ppm for 24hour before sowing. It will help in early germination of seeds along with good growth.

 Nutrient requirement (gm/plant)

No regular training and pruning is required. But to protect crop from insect attacked and diseases, remove weak, disease, dead branches at end of rainy season. 

Depending upon weed intensity carryout weeding operations. Use mulch to protect crop from weed attacked. It also help in proper growth of crop.

During initial years, i.e. till crop reaches to bearing stage (tree start bearing from 6-8 years), intercrops like chilly, bhindi, brinjal, and pulses like cowpea, horse gram, black gram can be taken as intercrop. 

In rainy season it does not required water. Provide irrigation depending upon rainfall intensity and frequency. Jackfruit crop required irrigation during initial 2-3 years afterward no irrigation is required. In heavy rain avoid water stagnation as it cannot survive in waterlogged conditions.

• Pest and their control

Bark Borer: It bore holes in bark.

Shoot and Fruit borer: It is a major pest of jackfruit. Due to its infestation, tender fruits may get drops. It leads to yield loss of 30%. 

• Disease and their control

Blossom rot, fruit rot or stem rot: Serious disease of Jackfruit. If not controlled can lead to loss of 15 to 32%. 

Jackfruit ripening take place 3-5 days after harvest. Not fruit but its ripe flakes are stored at low temperature. Research finding shows that ripe fruit can be stored for three to six weeks at 11-12.5^oC with 85-95% relative humidity.