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Phalsa (Grawia subinaequalis) cultivation

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 Phalsa (Grawia subinaequalis)

Dr. P C. Tripathi*

Phalsa is a shrub or small tree of Indian origin. It has been used since Vedic

period. The ripe fruits are consumed fresh or processed into refreshing fruit and soft

drinks during summer. Phalsa fruit has a short shelf life suitable only for local marketing

.It is cultivated on a commercial scale mainly in the northern and the western states of

India. Phalsa is known by different name in different Indian languages such as Phalsa,

dhamin, parusha, and shukri in Hindi, dhaman in Punjabi, man-bijal in Assamese, phalsa

and shukri in Begali, mirgi chara and pharasakoli in Oriya, phalsa in Gujrati, phalsi in

Maharashtra, jana, nallajana, phutiki in Telagu, palisa, tadachi in Tamil, buttiyudippe

and tadasala in Kannada.

Area and distribution

Phalsa is found wildly growing in UP, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, MP, West

Bengal and many parts of south India. The cultivation of phalsa is limited to very small

scale in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat and UP. Most of the commercial

plantations are adjoining to big cities. The total area under phalsa is less than 1000 ha.

The popularity of this crop is restricted due to small fruit size, prolonged ripening period,

repeated harvesting and highly perishable nature of fruits. The currant statistics on area

and production of this fruit are not available. Apart from India it is cultivated in Pakistan,

Nepal, Bangladesh, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and experimental

basis in some provinces of United States of America.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal Scientist (Horticulture), National Research Centre for Women in Agriculture
Opposite Kalinga studio P.O. Bara munda, Bhubaneswar-751 003 (Orissa)
Nutrient composition

The phalsa fruits contain high carbohydrate ( 6.8 to 25.8 %), sugar and acid (0.42

to 2.5 %) and very little protein and fat. The citric acid in the major acid in the fruit with

traces amount of malic acid. The fruits are rich in vitamins and mineral. It contains high

amount of vitamin A and high antioxidant value. The phalsa fruits are rich in flavonoids,

carotenoids and anthocyanins. Flavonoids have known antioxidant activities while

anthocyanins help to reduce the risk of heart disease by inhibiting cholesterol formation.

The phalsa fruits are rich in potassium, which plays important role in energy metabolism

and normalizing blood pressure. The nutritional value of phalsa is given in Table 1.

Table 1. Nutritional value of phalsa fruits

Nutrients Nutrient value per 100g edible portion

Moisture (%) 80.8
Carbohydrate (%) 21.1
Protein (%) 1.5
Fat (%) 0.9
Fibre (%) 1.2
Calcium (mg) 129
Phosphorus (mg) 39
Potassium (mg) 375
Iron (mg) 3.1
Vitamin B3 (mg) 0.3
Vitamin C (mg) 22
Vitamin A (carotene) ug 419
Medicinal value

Phalsa has been used in various medicines since Vedic period. The ripe fruits

have a cooling effect on body. They have tonic and aphrodisiac properties. The fruits

cures thirst and burning sensation, remove and cure inflammations. These are said to be

good for heart and blood disorders, fevers and diarrhoea. The fruit is also good for the

troubles of throat. It also helps to remove the dead foetus. The unripe fruits and bark of

phalsa plant cures biliousness and Vata and Kapha. It also cures urinary troubles and the

burning sensation of reproductive system. An infusion of the bark is used as a

demulcent. The root is used in strangury, gleet and gonorrhea. The root bark is used for

rheumatism by Santhal tribe. The leaves are used as an application to pustular eruptions.

Some physicians also prescribe buds of phalsa for cure of diseases. In the experiment

with small mammals, it has found that phalsa provides protective role against gamma

irradiation.

Other uses

The fresh leaves are used as animal fodder. The bark is used as a soap substitute

in some areas. The mucilaginous extract of the bark is used in clarifying sugar and

jiggery. Fiber extracted from the bark is used for rope making. The wood is yellowish-

white, fine-grained, strong, and flexible. The pruned branches are used for basket

making, support sticks and fuel wood purpose. The flower contains grewinol , a long

chain keto alcohol (Laxmi and Chauhan,1976). The seed of phalsa contains 5 percent oil,

which is bright yellow in colour and contains 65 % linoleic acid, 13 .5 % oleic acid and

11% stearic acid (Morton,1987).

Botanical Description

Phalsa belongs to Tiliaceae family. The botanical name of phalsa is Grawia

subinaequalis DC which was earlier known as Grewia asiatica L The closet relative of

phalsa is Grawia elastica var. vastita.which is generally found in small hillocks and

valleys. Apart from these two species, there are around 140 species in genus Grewia. The

important ones are Grewia glabra, Grewia micrococas, Grewia optiva, Grewia tilifolia,

and Grewia belosa.

The phalsa plant is a medium, drooping shrub, which may attain a height of 4 m if

unpruned. The stem is gray in colour with rough bark. It bears several long, slender,

drooping branches. The young branches are covered with dense hairs. The leaves are

alternate, simple, and broadly cordate to ovate shaped with pointed tip. The leaves are 20

cm in length and 15 cm in wide with coarsely toothed with 1-2 cm petiole. The

inflorescence is 3 to 5 flowered axillary cymes clustered in groups of 2 to 8 which are 16

to 25 cm long. The receptacle is 3 to 4 mm with hairy upper half. The flowers are small 1

to 2 cm diameter and bright orange-yellow in colour. There are five 5 oblong,1-5 cm long

glabrous sepals. The petals are also five in numbers but 5 to 7 cm long and orange -

yellow in colour.

The fruits are very small, purple to crimson red in color when ripe. The fruits

have 2 to 3 cm long peduncle and are produced in clusters. Fruit is botanically a drupe.

Fruits are 1.0 to 2.0 cm in diameter, 1.0 to 1.5 cm in length with average fruit weight of

1.0 to 2.0g. Fruits ripe 45 to 55 days after flowering. All fruits on a cluster do not ripe at a

time. At ripening the fruits turn from light green to cherry red or purplish red and finally

in dark purple. The ripe fruit is covered with a very thin, whitish blush, and becomes soft
and tender. The flesh is light greenish-white becomes colored purplish-red near the skin.

The fruits are sweet acid in taste with mild pleasant flavour. The fruit usually contain one

seed, which are hemispherical and 5 – 7 mm in size.

Climate

The phalsa is a subtropical fruit plant but can be grown in wide climatic

conditions except high attitude. The plant grows satisfactorily up to an elevation of 1,000

m. The plant does well in the areas of where there is distinct summer and winter. The

plants are deciduous and normally shed leaves on the onset of winter season and go on

dormancy. But in warmer region plant does not shed leaves and there is no dormancy. It

can grow at temperature ranging from 3 O C to 45 OC. Plant can tolerate light frost. But

requires protection from the very low temperatures. Adequate sunlight and warm or hot

temperatures are required for fruit ripening, development of appropriate fruit color, and

good eating quality.

Soil

The phalsa plant grows vigorously and produces satisfactorily under variable soil

types including fine sand, clay or even limestone. But loamy soil is best for the growth

and productivity. The optimum pH of soil for phalsa is 6.1 to 6.5. Phalsa is often grown

in marginal lands close to city markets to facilitate prompt marketing of fruit. But the

higher yield and quality fruits can be obtained when grown in well drained loamy soil.

Varieties

There is no recognized variety of Phalsa, but there are local favorites for different

growing regions. In Hissar area of Haryana, two local varieties i.e. tall and short are

grown. The dwarf variety is more productivity than tall variety. The dwarf variety has
higher total sugar and non –reducing sugars while tall variety has more reducing sugar.

The seed protein of both are different (Dhawan et al , 1992). In Kanpur area two varieties

namely, Local and Sharbati are grown. Chundawat (1990) mentioned that much

variability is not available in Phalsa.

Propagation

Phalsa in propagated by various methods such as seed, cutting, grafting and

layering but seed propagation is still most popular method of multiplication of phalsa.

Seed

Phalsa is mainly propagated by seed .The seed are extracted from ripe fruits. Seed

are very small around 5 mm in diameter and 0.5 to o.75 gm in weight. Around one to two

kg seeds are required for production of seedlings for one-hectare area. The seed remain

viable for 90 to 100 days at normal temperature and 6 months at cold storage. Seed are

usually sown in July. Seed should be sown on raised bed in lines .The distance between

the rows should be 30 to 45 cm. The germination of fresh seed is usually good and Seed

germinates in 15 –20 days. Seedlings of 7 to 8 month are planted in the field. The plants

produce first crop of well-developed fruits after 15 to 18 months of planting.

Cutting

The phalsa plant is readily propagated by hardwood cuttings (Samson, 1986).

Wood type and planting date influence rooting of phalsa (Singh et al.1961). Jauhari

(1960) reported that treatment of 100 ppm IBA for 24 hours resulted in 60 % cutting.

Singh (1961 ) reported 68 % success with 100ppm IBA in hard wood cutting of Phalsa.

Treatment with auxins (IAA, IBA, NAA) improve rooting of difficult-to-root hardwood

cuttings of phalsa (Yadava and Rajput, 1969). Higher rooting have been reported in hard
wood and soft wood cutting with long dip (24 hour ) with low concentrations of IBA

,NAA has been found. The quick dip ( 5 minutes to 2 hour) of cutting in higher

concentrations ( 1000 ppm to 10000 ppm ) of IBA ,NAA or their combinations also

found inducing rooting. Baghel et al (2004) found 10 to 20 % rotting in semi hard

woodcutting in rooting media containing biofertlizer.

Layering

The phalsa plant is also propagated by layering (Samson, 1986). Treatment with

auxins (IAA, IBA, NAA) improve rooting in ground layers and air layers (Mohammed

and Chauhan, 1970).Higher success in air layers of phalsa was reported with treatment of

IBA,NAA and 2,4 -D or both. The success rate was different in different treatments but

higher concentration and combination of IBA and NAA gave higher success than lower

concentration and control.

Grafting

Soft wood grafting was found successful in some of the experiment. The

defoliation of scion one to two weeks prior to grafting was found successful in increasing

success in grafts.

Planting

Phalsa Plants are planted at 2.5 to 4 m distance and 1000 to 1500 plants can be

planted in one-hectare area. Higher yield can be obtained from high density planting .The

pair row planting with 60 cm distance between row and 3 m distance between two pair

row has also been reported tow give more yield . Phalsa is grown in marginal land.

Therefore pits of 60 cm x60cm x60 cm size should be prepared. These pits should be
filled mixture of farmyard manure and soil. Eight to twelve month old seedlings are used

for planting.

Planting of phalsa can be done in July –August or February. Those area where

phalsa tree shed their leaves in winter and plant remains in dormancy; February is best

time of planting. In those area where winter is very short or there is no winter, phalsa

plants do not shed leaves, rainy season i.e. July-August is the best time of planting.

Nutrition

Phalsa is considered stress-tolerant and is commonly grown under neglect (Hays

1953).The phalsa plant shows good response to nitrogen applications. High levels of

phosphorus supply increase sugar content in the fruit while higher potassium suppresses

sugar and promotes acidity. Nijjar (1969) considered 1kg Nitrogen /plant to be sufficient

for good crop. However Chundawat and Gupta (1974) found that application of 15 kg

farmyard manure and 125 g Nitrogen per bush after sprouting is optimum for high

production. Pundir and Pathak (1981) recorded higher yield of phalsa by application of

100 kg Nitrogen, 40 kg Phosphorus and 25 Kg potassium per hectare. Singh and Singh

(2003) found that 100g Nitrogen /plant gave higher yield than other treatments under

Kanpur conditions. Over all it can be summarized that 100g nitrogen, 40g phosphorus

and 40 g potassium per plant should be given. The best time of application of fertilizer

and manure is February after the pruning of the trees.

Apart from major nutrient; phalsa plants need frequent application of

micronutrient. The plant is very sensitive to iron deficiency. The beneficial effect of zinc

sulphate (0.5%), ferrous sulphate (0.4%)have been reported by Singh et al. (1981) and
Wali et al (2005).The foliar application of nitrogen and potassium during fruiting season

have been found to increase yield and quality of fruits(Wali et al.2005).

Irrigation

Phalsa is a drought tolerant plant and does not require frequent irrigation. But it

has found that irrigation during fruit set and fruit development increases yield and quality

of fruits. One irrigation is usually recommended after fertilizer application. Thereafter for

better yield and quality, irrigation should be given at 15-20 days interval during fruit

growth and development period.

Pruning

Pruning is an important practice for phalsa. It has been found that tall-growing

wild phalsa plants produce fruits which are of marginal quality and are not relished by

most consumers. While low-growing dwarf and/or bushy type of phalsa plants, which

develop a good blend of sugar and acid in the fruit flesh, are preferred for cultivation

(Hays 1953). Phalsa bears fruit on current season's growth and for good yield, there is a

need for regular annual pruning to cut the old growth and to enhance the new growth.

Annual pruning to a height of about 1 m encourages new shoots and higher yield of

marketable fruit than does more drastic trimming (Singh and Sharma 1961).

Ghaffoor et al (2001) reported that among different pruning intensities, 100 cm

pruning gave the maximum number of clusters/plant (1771) and the highest yield/plant

(18.41 kg). while, pruning on 22 December produced maximum number of fruit

clusters/plant (1660) and the highest yield/plant (18.17 kg) under Pakistan conditions.

Singh et al (2004) found that pruning of shoot by 50 cm was found better than others

treatments in Rajasthan conditions in terms of yield. Singh and Singh (2003) found that
pruning at 75 cm above ground gave highest yield in Kanpur conditions. On the basis of

the various experiments, it can be summarized that pruning at an height of 75 to 100cm

during winter improve yield and quality of fruits. Apart from improving yield and quality

of fruits, regular pruning control the tree size and fruiting zone remains with the reach

and harvesting became easier.

Flowering and fruit development

Phalsa plant starts fruiting after 15 to 18 months of planting but the good yield sis

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 and yellow in colour.

Although phalsa flower are hermaphrodite but cross pollination is essential for better fruit

set. Gill et al (2001) found that fruit set (61.60%) in open pollination was significantly

higher than the self-pollination (23.00%). Irrespective of modes of pollination, there were

non-significant differences on fruit set in tall (45.00%) and dwarf (38.01%) types of

phalsa. The main insect pollinators for phalsa are Apis florea, A. mellifera, A. dorsata,

Megachile bicolor and Chalicodoma cephalotes were observed foraging both nectar and

pollen, while other foraged for nectar only.

It has been found that the use of plant growth regulators increases the size of the

fruits . The two sprays of 2.5 ppm 2,4-D at flowering and 8 days after flowering

increased yield by 74%.The spray of 60 ppm GA and 5 ppm , 2,4,5-T was also found

increasing yield by 64 %. These sprays also reduce the time of harvesting (Chundawat,

1968). Gibberellic acid has been reported to improve fruit set and increase fruit size

(Randhawa et al. 1959).

 Exogenous application of gibberellinA4/A7 (5 and 10 ppm) increased TSS,

TSS/acid ratio and total sugar content of the fruit. The treatments of 50 per cent flower or

cyme thinning followed by spray application of gibberellinA4/A7 (20 ppm) significantly

increased fruit weight and size (Singh et al 2000).

Harvesting and yield

Phalsa fruits ripe 40 – 55 days after flowering. The fruit are harvested in April and

May when they turn to crimson red from green. For sending to distant market mature

crimson red fruit are harvested while for local market dark purple colour ripe fruits are

harvested. Harvesting is done manually as they very small and all fruits do not mature at

a time. Harvesting continue for almost one month and is done several times at alternate

days due to gradual and steady ripening of fruits on clusters. The average fruit yield is 5

to 10 kg per plant (Salunkhe and Desai, 1984).

Post harvest handling and value addition

The fruits are highly perishable and must be marketed and utilized within a day

or two. The mature fruits can be stored for 48 hours while ripe fruits can be stored for 24

hours. Thereafter fruits colour turns to dark red and fruit became flaccid and taste of

fruits became bitter due to fermentation. Due to shorter shelf life local markets sell the

fruits in near. Khushk et al (2005) reported that in Pakistan 80% of phalsa producers sold

pre-harvest crops to contractors. The producer's share of the retail price was only 27%.

The phalsa is used for preparation of Phalsa juice (sarbat) and Phalsa squash. Phalsa juice

ferments very rapidly and preservative such as sodium benzoate must be used for longer

storage of the juice (Anand, 1960).

Disease

Leaf spot disease

This disease is common in rainy season. It is caused by fungus Cercospora

grewiae. The symptom of the disease appears as small black spots on both side of the

leaves and slowly a whitish material covered whole leaf. This results in early defoliation

of leaf. The application of 0.3% solution of DM –45 has been found effective in

controlling the disease.

Rust:

This disease is caused by Dasturella grewiae. Light brown spot develop on the

lower side of leaves as a result of the infection. This results in defoliation of leaves.

Alternate Sprays of DM –45 (0.3%) and Sulfex (0.2% ) at 15 days interval effectively

control this disease.

Pest

Leaf-cutting caterpillar (Euproctis fraterna)

The caterpillar causes heavy losses to leaves. Fully-grown caterpillars are reddish

brown in colour with dark coloured head. It pupates on the plants. These usually attack

the plants in the night and in case of severe infestation entire plant may be defoliated. The

insect can be controlled by dusting of carbaryl (0.1%) or spray of endosulfan (0.2%).

Bark eating caterpillar (Inderbela tetranis)

This insect is mostly found in neglected orchards. The insect makes tunnels in

trunk and branches of trees. The insect eat bark in the night. The effected plants show

retarded growth and reduced productivity .The insect can be controlled by application of

paint mixed with monocrotophos (0.1%) or carbaryl (0.4 %) at the time of pruning.
Mealy bug

Mango mealy bug (Drosicha mangiferae) has been reported to cause severe

damage to plant. The fruit set is severely affected by the attack of this insect. This insect

can be controlled by spray of 0.4% monocrotophos or diazinon.

Literature cited

Anand, J.C. 1960. Efficacy of sodium benzoate to control yeast fermentation in phalsa
(Grewia asiatica L.) juice. Indian J. Hort. 17:138–141.

Chundawat, B.S. 1990. Arid fruit culture. Oxford &IBH Publishing CO PVT LTD, New
Delhi.

Chundawat, B.S. and Singh.R. 1980. Effect of growth regulators on phalsa (Grewia
asiatica L.). I. Growth and fruiting. Indian J. Hort. 37:124–131.

Ghaffoor, A., Waseem, K., Hafiz, S.A. 2001 Growth and yield response of Phalsa/Falsa
(Grewia asiatica L.) to various pruning intensities and dates. Pakistan Journal of
Forestry 2001. 51: 49-61.

Gill, S.S., Kaushik, H D. and Sharma,S K. .2001 Effect of modes of pollination on fruit
set and insect pollinators of phalsa (Grewia subinaequalis D. C.). Res. on Crops 2 (2) :
193-196 .

Khushk, A. M., Ahmed, Q. B., and Saifullah Hisbani(2005): Phalsa production and
marketing system channels and margins in Sindh Province of Pakistan.Indus Journal of
Plant Sciences, 4 ( 3) 259-268.

Lakshmi, V. and Chauhan. J.S. 1976. Grewinol, a keto-alcohol from the flowers of
Grewia asiatica. Lloydia 39:372–374.

Mohammed, S. and Chauhan K S.. 1970. Vegetative propagation of phalsa (Grewia

asiatica L.). Indian J. Ag. Sci. 40:581–586.

Morton, J.F. 1987. Phalsa. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia Morton, Miami, FL.

Salunkhe, D.K. and Desai, B. B. 1984. Phalsa. p. 129. In: Salunkhe and Desai (eds.),
Post harvest biotechnology of fruits. Vol. 2. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Samson, J.A. 1986. The minor tropical fruits. In: Tropical fruits. Longman Inc., New
York.
Sastri, B.N. 1956. The wealth of India: Raw Materials .4. Grewia Linn. Tiliaceae. p. 260–
266. In: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India.

Singh, A. K., Singh, G. N. 2003. Effect of different levels of pruning and nitrogen on
growth and yield of Phalsa (Grewia subinequalis D.C.). Orissa Journal of Horticulture,
31 ( 2) 86-88 .

Singh, D. B., Awasthi, O. P., Singh, R. S..2004. Response of pruning on growth,

flowering and fruiting in Phalsa (Grewia subinaequalis DC).Horticultural Journal, 17 (
1) 9-13.

Singh, J.P. and Sharma , H C. 1961. Effect of time and severity of pruning on growth,
yield and fruit quality of phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.). Indian J. Hort. 18(1):20–28.

Singh, J.P., Godara,P.S. and Singh, RP. 1961. Effect of type of wood and planting dates
on the rooting of phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.). Indian J. Hort. 18(1):46–50.

Singh, Z. Grewal, G.P.S. , L. Singh,L..2000 Effects of gibberellina4/A7, and blossom

thinning on fruit set, retention, quality, shoot growth and return bloom of Phalsa (Grewia
asiatica L.). ISHS Acta Horticulturae 525: 467-472.

Wali,V K, Kaul, R. and Kher, R.2005. Effect of foliar sprays of nitrogen, potassium
and zinc on yield and physico-chemical properties of Phalsa (Grawia subinaequalis DC)
cv. Purple round. Haryana Journal of Horticultural Sc.34(1/2):56-57.
 Fig 1.Freshly harvested phalsa fruits

Fig 2. healthy phalsa bushes growing in the field

Year 2009

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