University of horticultural sciences, Bagalkot

• College of horticulture,Mysuru
Tamarind
Tamarind/Indian date/Imli
Tamarindus indica
Family: Leguminosae, 2n=24,
origin=Tropical Africa
It is the most popular tree found cultivated throughout
India as stray plantation or avenue. Regular orcharding is
wanting but common in waste land. The wood is used in
cart wheels, rice pounders. The pulp of fruits is used for
culinary purpose. The seeds are rich in pectin. India is
the major producer and consumer of this fruit in the
world.
Uses and composition: This tree is generally grown for it’s
fruits which are used mature or not. Immature fruits are
used for chutney and ripe fruit pulp is an important
ingredient in south Indian vegetable dishes to induce
sourness. Continuous use of tamarind in daily food in
urinary system of human beings. It is an important
condiment and refreshing acid drink and syrup are also
made. Seeds are eaten roasted or boiled.
Acidity is due to tartaric acid, pulp is 55% of pod. Seeds
have 63% starch
• Climate: Semi arid tropical and subtropical region but
can be grown in monsoon region with good drainage.
It prefers warm climate

• Soil: self sown in forest and wastelands. A compost of

fibrous loan and sand suits very much.
• Cultivars: No standard cultivars are available. Some
selection have been reported from Rahuri and Tamil
Nadu. The genus Tamarindus is a monotype one
containing the only species indica belongs to sub
family Caesalpiniaceae of the family Leguminosae.
• On the basis of Fruit size and shape
• Baily recognized two types of tamarind
• East Indian type having long pods with 6 to 12 seeds
• West Indian type having shorter pods containing 1 to
4 seeds.
• Paulos (1975) recognized a tamarind type known as ‘
Valalatchi’- which bears long and rectangular pods.
• On the basis of pulp colour:
• The yellow or brown pulp type , turning dark brown
on storage. It is harvested after full maturity.
• The reddish pulp Red type is locally (Yogeshwari) has
been released by Marathawada Agriculture University,
Prabhani.
• On the basis of organoleptic taste
1.sweet type
• The ripe fruits have sweeter pulp coupled with less
acidity and fruits are mainly used for dessert purpose.

• Makham Waan,Secthong,Manilasweet are few

cultivars found mostly in South East Asia(Thailand)
• Cultivar “Pratistan” released by FRS,Aurangabad is a
sweet type(61%).
2.sour type
• No.263 has been released by MAU,Parbhani.
Urigam+higher pulp seed ratio and cumbum (good
yielder) are popular in TN.
• PKM-1(Periyakulum-1) has been released from HRS,
Periyakulum.Suitable for high density orcharding
(160plants/acre against 40plants/acre under
conventional planting).
Genotypes: T-9, T-10 ,T-11, T-12, No.5, No.65, No.68,
No.96 and No.109
Propagation: Seed propagation is common. Budding is
also successful. Cuttings also root easily during rainy
season.
Air layering/mound layering , approach grafting ,veneer
grafting and softwood grafting .
For arid region, in situ soft wood grafting on one year
old seedling when new growth on one year old
seedling takes place for which activated scion should be
employed .
Planting
• Spacing:12*12m,10*10m, 5*5m.
• Pit size:1 m
• planting is done in the beginning of mansoon .
• No pruning is required .
Nutrition
Being a leguminous tree ,it may not required
nitrogenous fertilizer.Phosphorus application at pit
filling will be advantageous.
Irrigation
Once the plant has established it hardly needs any
irrigation . In heavy rainfall areas proper drainage
would be essential
Fruiting
• Flowering takes place in May to June and the fruits
are available in February to March . A seedling tree
takes 13 to 14 years for first flowering but vegetatively
propagated plant takes7 to 10 years. Productivity
increases and continues to be productive for more
than 60 years.
Harvesting
When harvested the fruits are almost semi-dried and
do not spoil due to high acidity.
A fully developed tree can give production of 200 to
250kg per annum.
Post harvest handling
After harvest the fruits are allowed to dry and their
hard shell is removed. Tamarind pulp is also exported
to Europe and America for preparing chutney and meat
sauces. Under ordinary conditions the pulp remains
good for about a year provide it is kept in dry
conditions.
Problems
• Diseases: the tree is affected by a number of roots
,such as Saprot, brownish saprot and white rot.
• Pest: Scales , Mealybug, white grubs,leaf eating
caterpillar, black citrus aphids, whiteflies, thrips,
cowbugs, bud and flower pests ,fruit borers.
Submitted To:-
Dr.Venkat Rao
Asst.Prof FSC
COH MYSURU

Submitted By:-
Chandana B S
Prarthana A M
Shruthi U
Vaishnavi G