Artocarpus Heterophyllus
Family : Moraceae
Common Name : Jackfruit tree, Kathal.
Hindi Name : Katha
Tamil Name : Katha
Malayalam : Palamaram, Murasapilapalam
Synonymous : Artocarpus integrifolius
Tree Characteristics :
A large monoecious evergreen tree, 18-25 m in height . Flowering Season - December to March; Fruiting Season – March to June.
Nursery Practice :
Seeds stored in saw dust or charcoal give 93% germination even after 20 days (Baghel et al., 2003). Seeds stored for long loose seed viability (Singh et al., 2003). Viability can be increased by storing seeds in a refrigerator for 45 days, compared with only 4 days viability in normal condition (Sharma and Mohan, 1991). Seeds stored in saw dust or charcoal give 93% germination even after 20 days (Baghel et al., 2003). Seeds stored for long loose seed viability. Removal of outer thin leathery seed coat and soaking in water for 8 hrs improves germination. Biotin (10 ppm) and kinetin (50 ppm) treatments of seeds have a positive influence on vigour index (Prakash, 1998). Treatment with 100 ppm GA shows positive influence on germination percentage (95.33%). In addition, seedling height, span of germination, and speed of germination are also affected. Propogated through By seeds. Approach and bud grafting. Seed Rate - 45-95 seeds/kg. Germination Percent -75.
Economic Use:
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Unripe fruits are used as vegetable. Fruits constitute a rich source of carbohydrate and essential amino acids. A yellow dye extracted from wood is used for dyeing clothes
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The heartwood is bright yellow in colour but turns light brown on exposure. It is fairly strong and durable.
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The leaves and fruits have medicinal properties. The leaves are useful in fever, boils, wounds, skin diseases with vitiated conditions of vata and pitta. The ripe fruits are sweet, cooling, tonic and are useful in ulcers.
