Kala Jamun

Courtesy: Hundekar Home Garden,Bengaluru.



Jamun is indigenous to India. Its tree is tall and evergreen. Therefore It is generally grown as avenue tree or as wind break. Though the fruits are liked by all and sell at a high price, but it is still not grown as an orchard tree. Jamun is found all over India.

Jamun fruits are a good source of iron and are said to be useful in the troubles of heart and liver. The seeds of jamun are an effective medicine against diabetes and their powder is widely used in India to control diabetes.

Jamun fruits are highly perishable.

Fruits are normally packed in bamboo baskets and transported to local markers. In the market, fruits are sold on green leaves or on pieces of newspaper. The fruits prepacked in leaf cup covered with perforated polythene bags have little or no damage, during handling. Handling of fruits during transit from market to home is also easier in this container.

Jamun fruits can be processed into excellent quality fermented beverages such as vinegar and cider , and non-fermented ready-to-serve beverages and squashes. A good quality jelly can also be prepared from its fruits. The seeds can be processed into powder which is very useful to cure diabetes. These have a ready market.

Harvesting and postharvest management

Seedling trees start bearing at the age of 9-10 years, whereas budded ones take 5-6years. Flowering starts during March and continues up April in north Indian conditions. Fruits ripen during June- July or with the onset of rains. It takes about 3-5 months to ripen after full bloom. Fruits change their colour from green to deep red or bluish black. This is a non climacteric fruit hence it des not ripen after harvesting. Fully ripe fruits are harvested daily by hand picking or by shaking the branches and collecting the fruits on a polythene sheet. Jamun trees need a number of pickings, since all fruits do not ripen at a time. The average yield of fully grown budded and seedling trees is 50-70 kg and 80-100 kg /plant /year.