INDIAN GOOSEBERRY AMLA

BY MANVENDRA SINGH PAYAK M.B.A.-( A & FB ) 2nd sem. AMITY INSTITUTE OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

a known fruit to 1 billion of the Indian Population

Consumed as Fruits, Pickles, Chutneys, Salted and Sugared Fruit. A commonly used ingredient in most of the Ayurvedic preparations, used as Fresh Fruits Dried Fruits Fruit Pulp Extract Form Immuno enhancer for both Children and Elders Health tonic - CHAYAVANAPRASH constitutes 70% Indian Gooseberry

ORIGIN & HISTORY

Amla is worshipped as an auspicious fruit from the ancient time and respected as a symbol of good health. Amla tree are socially and religiously propagated among people and cultivated for promotion of good health.

Amla (Phyllanthus emblica [Emblica officinalis], (Euphorbiaceae), is native to the tropics of southeastern Asia, specifically India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and China. The Hindus worship this tree as the Mother Earth.

Scientific classification
Kingdom Division Class Order Family Tribe Subtribe Genus Species Plantae Flowering plant Magnoliopsida Malpighiales Phyllanthaceae Phyllantheae Flueggeinae Phyllanthus P. emblica Emblica officinalis Indian Gooseberry, Emblic Myrobalan Amla, Amalaki.

Biological Name: Other Local Name:

BOTANY OF PLANT
Amla is a medium-sized deciduous tree with gray bark and reddish wood which successfully grows in variable agro-climatic

and soil conditions.

The amla tree is a deciduous tree growing to a height of 60 ft (18 m).

The leaves are very fine and small, only 1/8 in (3 mm) wide and 1/2 to 3/4 in (1.25-2 cm) long The flowers are small, greenish-yellow and borne in compact clusters in the axils of the lower leaves. The fruits are round or oval, with smooth textured skin. There are ~6 to 8 pale visible lines, appearing as ridges.

Contd
unripe fruits are light green turning a yellow to red at maturity.

The stone is tightly set in the center of the flesh and contains 6 small seeds.

Parts Used:
Fresh Fruit, Dried fruit, the nut or seed, leaves, root, bark and flowers. Ripe fruits used generally fresh, dry also used.

Chemical Constituents:
The major chemical constituents of Amla are Phyllemblin, Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Gallic acid, Tannins, Pectin etc.

INDIAN SCENARIO
THE area under amla (Indian gooseberry) has been expanding rapidly in the last couple of yearsearly of 1980 3,000 hac. 2000 25,000 hac. late of 2004 50,000 hac. 2006 1,00,000 hac. This hardy plant is suited for being raised in wasteland,arid, semiarid, salt affected, coastal or ravine areas. Intensive cultivation is being done in the salt-affected districts of Uttar Pradesh including the ravenous area in Agra, Mathura, Etawah, Fatehpur and semi-arid tracks of Bundelkhand.

Contd
It is spreading rapidly in the semi-arid regions of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and the Arawali ranges in Haryana, Kandi area in Punjab. Uttar Pradesh tops in area, production and productivity followed by Gujarat, Tamil Nadu . According to the Aonla Growers Association of India (AGAI), there is a wide gap in the price of fresh amla

North India - 400 Rs / quintal South India - 3000-4000 Rs / quintal It is reported that around 5000 to 10000 kg per month of fruit are exported from Tamil Nadu to Singapore and Malaysia on an average. The demand is for fruit from theEuropean countries also

Cultivation practice

Varieties SOIL

Banarasi, Chakaiya, Francis, Krishna, Balwant, NA-6, NA-7, NA-9, Anand-2 and BS-1.

Light as well as medium heavy soils except purely sandy soil is ideal for amla cultivation. The tree is well adopted to dry regions and can also be grown in moderate alkaline soils. Ph of soil should be 6.0 - 8.0 The tree is well adopted to dry regions and can also be grown in moderate alkaline soils.

Climate-

It is a tropical plant.

Annual rainfall

--

630-800 mm

Mature plant can tolerate temp. -- 0*c to 46*c. Protect plant up to 3 year from -- Hot wind in May June frost during winter months Fruit set in spring, the fruits remain dormant through summer without any growth thus makes it highly suitable crop for arid zone.

--

Planting

Grafts are planted in the beginning of monsoon in June-July. Spacing of 8 to 10 m both ways is recommended. Pits of 1 Cubic m are dug and allowed to weather in summer for a fortnight. Each pit is filled with 3 to 4 baskets of fYM mixed with dug soil. After first rain the plants are planted in the centre of the pit and staked properly.

Harvesting:Commercial crop starts fruiting after 6-8 years of planting. Productive life of trees is estimated to be 50-60 years under good management. Generally harvested in November- December

Yield:A matured tree of about 10 years will yield 50-70 kg of fruit.

Nutrition:
N 90 kg/ acre
120 kg/acre 48 kg/acre P2O5 K2O -

15 kg FYM and 0.5 kg phosphorus at the time of planting in each pit .

Spray 0.6% Borax - 3 time in the month of sept. oct.

Irrigation:Aonla trees are hardy and stand very well against drought. Young plants require watering during summer months at 15 days interval till they are fully established.

PLANT PROTECTION
INSECT PEST:=
Gall Caterpillar: (Betonra Stytophora Swinhoe):Young caterpillars bore into the aptical portion of the shoot during rainy season and make tunnel . Due to this, aptical growth is checked. Control:- Cut the infected apices and give a prophylectic spray of systemic insecticide like rogor 0.03%. Leaf rolling caterpiller:(Garcillaria acidula):The caterpillar rolls the leaf and feed inside reducin photosynthetic capacity of leaves Control;- Spray 0.08% Malathion or 0.04% Mono crotophos.

Dark Eating Caterpillar :It damages stem and branches of grown up trees by eating bark.

Control:- Few drops of kerosene should be applied in holes to

keep this in control.

DIEASES
Ring rust (Ravenella emblica Syd.):Ring rust appears as circular or semi-circular reddish solitary or gregarious spots on leaves from August infection on fruit follow.

Control:-

0.2% Dithane, Z-78, at interval of 7-28 days during July-September.

Fruit rot:(Pencillium):Water soak lesion on fruit surface develops and enlarges in size followed by development of colonies of pathogen.

Control ;-

Treatment of fruits with borax.


Sapling stage Fruiting stage Amla cultivation Bunch of fruits Flowering stage Harvested amla

Health Benefits of Amla

Very helpful in skin diseases. Prevents premature graying of hairs and dandruff. Act as natural hair conditioner and provides good nourishment. helpful in improving liver function. Helps in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar level. works as brain tonic and helps to alertness and memory. Improving eyesight. improves general health weakness and makes our bodys immune system strong