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

Variability for Morpho-physical Properties of Fruits in Kokum
Gawankar M. S., Shingre D. V., Dalvi M. B. and Jamadagni (2001), Dr. B.S. Sawant Konkan
Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Maharashtra
Kokum is one of the important fruit tree that has remained under- exploited and
neglected. The tree itself is ornamental with a dense canopy having lush green leaves with
red tinged tender emerging leaves followed by deep red round fruits. The pyramid shaped
handsome evergreen tree; it is a good choice for growing on roadside as avenue tree. Deep
red to purple coloured edible ripened fruits are mainly used for making delicious
refreshing drink "Amrut Kokum". Amsols are prepared from dried kokum rind, have
tremendous export potential. Fruits contain 6 to 8 seeds, which yield about 23 to 26 per
cent valuable edible fat known as Kokum butter and it is in solid form at normal room
temperature up to 40° C. Kokum butter is used as a base in various cosmetics and
pharmaceuticals and therefore, possesses export potential (Haldankar et al., 1992). The
present investigation was undertaken to identify promising strains of kokum having bold,
juicy and deep purple red colour fruits and to study variability of morphophysical
characters of the fruits in kokum genotypes.
A continuous work on screening of seedlings and maintenance of germplasm of
Kokum is in progress at the Agricultural Research Staion, Mulde, Tal, Kudal, Dist.
Sindhudurg, Maharashtra in the year 1996. Out of these fifteen genotypes, six bearing
genotypes were selected for the present investigation on variability of morphophysical
characters of fruits. For the sake of convenience, each entry was designated by MLDK
(Mulde Kokum) with relative selection number. The grafts started bearing from the year
2000. The yield for the season 2000-2001 was considered for the present investigation. The
yield in terms of number of fruits and weight of the fruits/plant was recorded. The fruit size
was measured using a pair of callipers. Weight of the rind was recorded after cutting the
fruits into two halves and removing the seeds and pulp. The pulp was thoroughly washed
under the tap water to separate the seeds and pulp. The weight of such seeds was recorded
as a weight of the fresh seed. The total number of seeds/fruit was recorded. Plant habit was
decided by observing growth habit of the plant.
The data pertaining to different yield contributing characters showed variation
both in productivity and quality of the fruits.
I. Weight of the fruit: average weight of the fruit varied from 25.4 g to 58.38 g. Maximum
fruit weight was recorded in MLDK-3 (58.38 g/fruit) follwed by MLDK-5 (50.98 g/fruit).
The lowest fruit weight (25.4 g/fruit) was recorded in MLDK-9).
II. Volume of the fruit: Fruit volume ranged from 18.7 cm3 to 53.83 cm3. maximum fruit
volume was recorded in MLDK-5 (53.83 cm3) and the lowest in MLDK-2 (18.7cm3). MLDK-
8 and MLDK-9 recorded fruit volume i.e. 25.09 cm3 followed by MLDK-3 (25.18 cm3)
III. Fruit length and breadth: Fruits of all the genotypes have not shown much variation in
length and breadth. Khanvilkar et al. (1986) also reported least variation in different
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Resource Book on Kokum (Garcinia indica Choisy)
Western Ghats Kokum Foundation, Panaji - Goa