Devanahalli Pomello

Pomello

Devanahalli Pomello of the Rutaceae family is a citrus fruit locally known as chakkota, an exotic crop variety which is grown in several villages of Devanahalli taluk in Bangalore Rural District. This citrus fruit's size is said to be the largest in the world, and it is also known in the western countries as pomelo (Citrus maxima), shaddock and batawana lemon. In view of its sweet taste and flavor better than the or other varieties in the market, pomella is in demand in the market. As this variety of fruit is grown only in and around the Devanahalli town it is given the name “Devanahalli Pomello (Chakkota)".^[1]

The horticultural product is protected under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act (GI Act) 1999 of the Government of India. It was registered by the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks under the title "Devanahalli Pomello" and recorded at GI Application number 131 under Class 31 as a horticulture item.^[1]

Location

The villages around Devanahalli taluk with in the geographical range of 13°06′50″N 77°33′08″E / 13.11389°N 77.55222°E / 13.11389; 77.55222 and 13°21′36″N 77°50′21″E / 13.36000°N 77.83917°E / 13.36000; 77.83917 where the fruit is grown were initially in: Beerasandra, Bidalur, Chanarayapatna, Kundana, Melinathotadahalli, Neelaganapalya, Neelaguntepalya, Raghunathapura, Rajathafarm, Shivanapura, Soopanahalli, Vishwanathapura.^[1] However, in view of large land acquisition for building the airport, the plant is now grown only in a few villages that too in a non-contiguous form.^[2]

History

The pomello fruit bearing tree, the main forbearer of the grape vine,^[3] is grown by the farming community known as Thigala. Because of its unique sweet taste, which is unlike similar other local varieties of pomellos’ which have bitter taste, the Devanahalli variety of pomello is in large demand. However, some five decades back due to natural causes this plant’s special trait was compromised due to crossing with local types and was nearing extinction. However, a few old plants in the area were identified and then propagated widely.^[1]

In recent years this plantation faced a serious threat of nearing extinction due to construction of the Bengaluru International Airport at Devanahalli for which land was acquired at high prices causing felling of these trees. Farmers preferred to sell their horticultural land than do farming of pomello trees. However, the horticulture department undertook conservation measures by collecting germ plasma of the fruit to preserve its novelty; plants were collected at the department's biocentre in Hulimavu for propagation among the farmers. Alternatives of grafting have also been explored. In view of the special soil conditions at Devanahalli and its Geographical Indication (GI) status it can not be planted in other places.^[2] It is now back in reckoning with increasing demand. ^[3] To promote cultivation of this fruit tree a Conservation Centre has been established at Devanahalli by the Department of Horticulture and more farmers are coming forward to grow this fruit tree.^[3]

It is said that Mahatma Gandhi who tasted this fruit offered by a local farmer during his visit to Nandi Hills, a hill resort near to Devanahalli, liked its taste and suggested to the authorities that this variety be conserved.^[1][4]

Characteristics

Pomello orchard

The agro-climatic conditions in Devanahalli is of cool and moderate humid weather which is conducive to the growth of this variety of pomello. The soil type is generally of red soil consisting of gravel, loam and clay with high drainage conditions favourable for the growth of this tree. Rainfall in the area varies from 300–807 millimetres (11.8–31.8 inches).^[1]

The tree grows with a twisted trunk of 10–20 cm thickness (3.9–7.9 in) to varying heights of 5–15 metres (16–49 ft) and with branches in even shape. It has needles on the branchlets, aged limbs and trunk. Its leaves are large with petiole in the shape of wings, with dull green colour and in elliptical or oblong egg shape. The flowers are sweet smelling and fruits are formed in circular or egg or pear shape with width varying from 10–30 centimetres (3.9–11.8 in). The colour of the pulp is pink or red, and juicy. Segments of the fruit are easy to remove. The outer skin of the fruit is of greenish yellow colour. The seeds in a matured fruit varies from 8 to 10 and are used for germination.^[1] The fruit has Vitamin-C and beta carotene.^[4]

The propagation method followed is by "cuttings, grafting and Air layering". After fine tilling and kneading of the soil, the plant grafts are planted in square pits of 1 m size with 1 m depth. The pit is filled with a blend of farm yard manure, top soil, and cake of neem and groundnut to quarter of the depth of pits and then watered. During the rainy season fertilizers are added and neem oil is also added as a pest control measure. It is also irrigated suitably where such facility is available. The plant flowers twice a year during December/January and June/July followed by growth of fruits in the following months. The whole process takes about 9 months. To generate seedlings, the fruits are plucked after 11 months. On an average, each tree yields about 300 to 400 fruits annually.^[1] The fruits weight about 2 and 2.5 kg and can weigh even up to 10 kg.^[2] They have a long shelf life of 45-60 days. Fruits are not graded size wise and are known by their distinguishing pink or red colored juicy carpels which have sweet and sour taste. Quality control is maintained by the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science of the University of Agriculture Sciences, Bangalore.^[1] There are now only less than 100 farmers engaged in cultivation of this fruit.^[2] The fruit is directly edible and is also used to prepare desserts and jellies.^[2] Pomello peel is also used in making cosmetic and Ayurvedic medicines.^[3]

In a nursery run adopting organic farming method in Devanahalli grafting of this plant is done, which takes about 3 months time, and about 400 saplings are marketed in a year.^[4]

References