Zizyphus Jujuba
Family : Rhamnaceae
Synonyms :Zizyphus mauritiana
Common Name : Indian Jujuba
English Name : Indian jujuba
Hindi Name : Makkay, Ghont
Telugu Name : Paraki
Bengali Name : Siakul
Tree Characteristics :
Indian jujube is a much-branched, evergreen but rather thorny tree with a spreading crown. It grows up to 12 metres tall with a bole 40cm or more in diameter. Where climatic conditions are severe, it is commonly a compact shrub growing only 3 - 4 metres tall. The plant is widely cultivated as a fruit crop in southeastern Asia and is also grown in Africa. It has the potential to be more widely grown as a commercial crop.
Nursery:
Fruits collected in February to March, depulped and dried in the sun. Unsound and hollow seeds are sorted out by floatation in 18% salt solution. Viability of seed is for 1 to 2 years. Stored seeds germinate better. No. of seeds per Kg 700 to 1800; Germination percentage is 31 to 95. Storage of the seed for 4 months to let it after-ripen improves germination. If facilities are available, stratification in sand for 60 - 90 days at 5°c is recommended. Scarification, extracting the seed from the stone, and treating it with sulphuric acid has also been recommended. To germinate, seeds need full sunlight. Seed should germinate in 3 - 4 weeks when the seed is left in stone, quicker if it is cracked, and only 1 week if it is carefully extracted. The seed should be sown in full light in trays or beds, and the seedlings pricked out when 2 pairs of true leaves have developed. It is likely that seedlings will need about 15 months in the nursery.
Economic Uses :
The bark, including the root bark, contains tannins. The leaves are a source of tannins
When pounded and mashed in water, the bark yields brown and grey or reddish dyes.
The wood is used for general construction, furniture and cabinet work, tool handles, agricultural implements, tent pegs, golf clubs, gun stocks, sandals, yokes, harrows, toys, turnery, household utensils, bowling pins, baseball bats, chisels and packaging. It produces excellent firewood (sapwood has 4900 kcals/kg) and good charcoal. Its drooping branches are easily accessible for harvesting.
