Western Ghats Kokum Foundation - Organic Farming Association of ...

Efforts are being made by ICAR and Goa University to identify and collect the
promising genotypes from among the natural seedling population in Goa for further
evaluation studies. Some important genotypes with their fruit characters are listed in Table
5 (Rodrigues, 2003). Establishment of clonal Genoplasm bank of Kokum is under progress
at ICAR Complex for Goa.
Table 5: Fruit Characters of Some Promising Kokum Accessions of Goa.
Genotype Fruit wt. Pulp wt. Fresh Rind Dry No. Seeds
(g) (g) wt (g) Rind wt.(g) per Fruit
Mar-2 32.4 16.9 15.3 2.3 5
Sav- ver -1 33.8 16.0 17.5 3.5 4
Rib-1 30.0 12.9 17.1 3.0 3
Asn -3 28.6 13.5 14.9 1.7 3
Asn-2 23.4 12.0 12.4 1.4 4
May - 1 23.2 11.7 11.3 2.4 5
Asn-5 22.7 11.0 11.4 1.6 3
Asn - 1 22.4 12.0 10.3 1.9 5
May-2 22.1 9.0 2.3 3
Vast variability in the elite types is reported from Sindhudurg district of
Maharashtra. Besides this, survey results reveal that some elite genotypes namely MLDK-3
and MLDK-5 (Gawanekar et al, 2001), and DVA-1, DVA-2 & DVA-3 - the spreading type of
genotypes from Raigad district (Pujari et ai, 2001) have been already collected for further
evaluation at B.S.K.K.V. Dapoli, Maharashtra.
Propagation
The conventional way of propagation of Kokum is by seeds. As the crop is crosspollinated,
the seedling progeny shows heterogeneity and thereby variability.
Softwood grafting has been found to be successful and easier. The mature scion of 5 to 6
months old without defoliation is preferred for softwood grafting. Seedling of 22 weeks and
more are used as a rootstock. October is the best season for soft wood grafting. Graft could
be successfully maintained under either poly shed or in open sun after grafting. Tissue
culture is also being attempted for micro-propagation.
Higher Productivity
Productivity can be substantially increased by high density planting using grafted
plants of improved varieties.
Prospects of Cultivation of Kokum as a Mixed Crop with Cashew
Kokum can be the best mixed crop in cashew garden, where cashew is spaced at 10m
X 10 m. In between two rows of cashew, one row of Kokum can be planted at 5m intra row
spacing so as 'to accommodate 200 plants of Kokum per ha (Yadukumar, 2003).
Considerable increase in income can be realized from cashew + Kokum mixed cropping
system (Table 6). Kokum can also be planted advantageously and comfortably on all the
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Resource Book on Kokum (Garcinia indica Choisy)
Western Ghats Kokum Foundation, Panaji - Goa