The first step towards growing jack trees is the selection of an appropriate cultivar.
Jackfruit Cultivars: There are mainly two types of jackfruit trees based on the characteristics of fruit flesh. These are hard-flesh varieties and soft-flesh varieties. In South India, hard-flesh varieties are known as “Varikka” and soft-flesh varieties are known as “Koozha”. Flesh of “Hard/Varikka” jackfruit is crunchy, fleshy or thick, and dry with moderate sweetness. Flesh of “Soft/Koozha” jackfruit is soft, fibrous, moist, and too sweet.
Climate: The jackfruit tree is well suited to tropical lowlands where humid and warm climate is prevalent. They thrive well in equatorial to subtropical climate at an elevation up to 1600 meters. Jackfruit trees require an average rainfall of 100 to 240 centimeters for healthy growth and fruit production.
Soil: Well-drained, rich and fertile loamy soils or lateritic soils are the most suitable soils for jackfruit trees. Water-logged soils and poorly aerated soils are detrimental for plant growth.
Propagation and Planting: Propagation can be done by seeds; however seed propagation gives highly variable seedlings. Commercial propagation is by grafting and air-layering. One-year old grafts can be planted in well-prepared pits at the onset of monsoons. Pits of size 50x50x50 cm may be prepared well in advance to weather in the sun. At the time of planting, pits may be filled with a good soil mixture prepared by mixing top soils and organic manures such as farmyard manure and compost. Soon after planting, plants are watered.
Manuring and Watering: Organic growing practices are preferred for jackfruit cultivation. Established jackfruit trees require very less care. Every now and then, large quantities of farmyard manure or compost or leaf manures may be added and mixed with the top soils to replenish soil fertility. Watering is done depending upon the requirements of the plants, wetness of the soil, and prevailing climate.
Pruning: Growing plants do not require pruning. Mature plants require minimal pruning such as removal of dead and diseased branches. After every harvest, fruit-bearing stems need to be cut down to the trunk to induce new growth. Pruning can be done every year or at the interval of 3-4 years. Pruning increases productivity of the plants.
Insect-Pest and Disease Management: Shoot borer caterpillars (Margaronia ceasalis), Mealy bugs and Jack scales are the major insects of the jackfruit tree. They can be controlled by hand-picking or by spraying pyrethrum-based organic pesticides. Common diseases are: Pink disease, Stem rot, Fruit rot and Male inflorescence rot. They can be controlled by the application of 1% Bordeaux mixture.
Harvesting: Fruiting season is mainly from March to September. Individual fruits are harvested by cutting the fruit from its base by a sharp, big knife. A mature jackfruit tree produces about 100 to 250 fruits per annum. On an average, a fruit weighs about 3-5 kg. Researches reveal that jackfruits as big as 55kg have been obtained elsewhere.
Jackfruit Trees: Timber, Fodder and Other Uses
Jackfruit wood is highly durable, and its timber (hardwood) is termite-proof and is extensively used for building furniture, and for constructing doors and windows for houses and other types of buildings. Its softwood is good for manufacturing musical instruments, especially veena, a South Indian musical instrument. Leaves of jackfruit trees can be used as a food for goats and other animals. A yellow/saffron dye can be extracted from its hardwood, which is used for dyeing clothes of the Buddhist monks.
Jackfruit Trees as Garden Plants: Dwarf varieties of Jackfruit trees can be grown for ornamental purposes as the tree has attractive, elegant, evergreen foliage. Jackfruit is a popular fruit plant in tropical kitchen gardens. Jackfruit trees can be grown for screening and shade purposes also. In coffee plantations, jackfruit can be grown as a shade-tree. Jackfruit trees can also be grown as a support for black pepper vines.
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