Kokum is a native tree of Western India that produces an oblong or oval fruit used to make products like syrup and dried rind. It grows well in coastal regions receiving over 250 cm of rainfall annually in lateritic or alluvial soil. Propagation is primarily through seed germination or softwood grafting, with two main varieties released in Maharashtra. Kokum is often intercropped with coconut or arecanut and requires minimal care once established. Mature trees bear hundreds of fruits annually from April to May that are processed into products extending their shelf life.

1. SHARVESH.S
M.Sc. Horticulture
ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY
Production technology of kokum

2. Introduction
• Kokum (Garcinia indica) belonging to the family Clusiaceae is
an indigenous tree of India.
• This fruit is native to Sahyadri mountain range of western
India.
• The chromosome number of kokum is reported as 2n = 54 by
Krishnaswamy and Raman (1949) and as 2n = 48 by Thombre
(1964).
• The tree reaches a height of about 10-15m.
• Its dark green foliage, drooping branches and pyramidal shape
make this slender tree very graceful in the forest or garden.
• The fruiting tree is very attractive.

3. • Kokum is one such native species, which is dioecious in
nature.
• Kokum is commonly known as kokum butter tree in English
and other vernacular names are kokum, ratamba, birand,
amsol (Konkani and Marathi) brindon (Portuguese in Goa),
murugalu (Kannada) and punarpuli (Malayalam).
• It is mostly found in Konkan region of Maharashtra, Goa,
Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, forests of Assam, Khasi Jayanti hills,
West Bengal and Surat district of Gujarat.
• Is mostly found as a kitchen garden plant or mixed crop in
plantations of coconut, arecanut, road side plants or in forest.

4. • Kokum fruits are round, oblong or oval with pointed tips and,
are crowned by the four parted stalk less stigma.
• Raw kokum fruits are dark to light green in color and crimson
red with a yellow tinge to dark violet or purple when fully
ripe. The fruits are grow up to the size of a lemon.
• An average kokum tree bears hundreds of fruits and each
fruits weigh around 21–85 g.
• Kokum fruit contains three to eight large seeds and is
covered with whitish pulp which is sweet in taste.
• About 700g seeds are obtained per kg of fruit.

5. • Kokum is generally not used as fresh fruit.
• It is used for making squash, syrups and dried as used as
souring agents in various preparations since long in entire
Western Ghats region.
• Kokum contains anthocyanin, fatty Acids ,hydroxycitric acid
(HCA) and garcinol. Anthocyanins are well known for their
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activity.
• Kokumis rich in anti-obesity compound, i.e.Hydroxycitric acid
(HCA).
• It has gained much attention in recent years for use in weight
loss and now lot of anti obesity products are being prepared
from Garcinia.

7. Area and production
• The major kokum growing areas are in Maharashtra, Goa
and Karnataka. There are report of these plants grown in
Kerala Tamil Nadu and Northeastern States.
• The majority of the plants are in forest or adjoining areas
of forest , borders area of plantation.
• The exact data of area and production are not available.
• The monocrops orchards of Kokum are rare.
• It is grown as intercrops with Coconut and arecanut is
these areas.

10. Climate and soil
• Kokum flourishes very well up to an elevation of about 800 m
from MSL.
• It requires warm and humid tropical climate. It thrives well in
coastal areas receiving over 250 cm of rainfall.
• It comes up well in lateritic, alluvial soils having depth of 1.2 m
and pH of 6.7. Kokum prefers valley situations.
• The locations where coconut and arecanut can be cultivated are
suitable for kokum.
• Though kokum can be cultivated as a rainfed crop, it can not be
cultivated on hill tops like that of mango or cashewnut.
• It can be grown as a monocrop or as a mixed crop in established
coconut and arecanut plantation.

11. Propagation methods
A. Sexual Propagation
Seed germination
• Kokum seeds regenerate rapidly in open fields and need moist
hot condition for germination.
• The seed treatments such as soaking in water, cycocel 500 ppm
have shown promise.
• The seeds can be sown on raised bed or in polybag. Soil was
found to be the best medium for seed germination in kokum.
• The mixture of soil, sand and FYM in 2:1:1 ratio is also
recommended as sowing media for kokum.
• Many times two seedlings are sown in polybag in Konkan region.
After sowing the seeds germinate after 40 – 60 days.

12. Vegetative propagation:
Softwood grafting
• The scionsticks should be selected from high yielding female trees
• Terminal shoots of 0.5 – 0.6 cm thickness and 10 – 12 cm length, of
greenish brown colour are selected as scionsticks. The mature
scions of 5 – 6 month old contribute more success.
• The rootstock should be healthy and vigorous. Kokum seedlings of
10 – 12 cm height, 0.25 cm thickness at collar region with green
apical softwood are selected. The age of rootstock should be more
than 22 weeks.
• October to November and March to August was found to be the
best season for softwood grafting in kokum under Konkan
conditions.

14. ii) In-situ grafting
• In seedling population, many times the proportion of male
seedlings is remarkably higher.
• Conversion of excessive male seedlings into good female
types helps to augment production of kokum orchard.
• Coppice grafting can be useful for conversion of male kokum
plants into female.
• In-situ grafting was reported for better establishment than
planting grafts of kokum.

16. iv)Tissue culture
• Tissue culture is being attempted for micro propagation.
• Morphogenic responses of matured seed segments of kokum
were studied with increase in BAP concentration from 1– 4.5
mg/per L water increased number of shoot formation.
• The seed segments explants cultured on WPM without any
plant growth regulators did not show any regeneration.

18. VARITIES
Konkan Amruta
• This variety released from KokamKrishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli,
Maharashtra in 1997.
• This is the first ever variety of Kokam released.
• It flowers in the month of November under konkan conditions and
fruits ripes in the month of March- April .
• The fruits are medium in size (35 g weight) with 6-7 seeds/fruit.
Fruits are apple shaped.
• The rind weight is around 17.55 g. The Total soluble solid are
9.0OBrix and acidity is 5.12 percent. A seven year tree yields 138 kg
fruits per year.

19. Konkan Hatis
• This variety released from KokamKrishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli,
Maharashtra.
• It flowers in the month of December underkonkan conditions
and fruits ripe in the month of April-May .
• The fruits are big size with 90-95 g weight with 5-6 seeds/fruit.
Fruits are apple shaped.
• The rind weight is around 48-50g. The Total soluble solid are
9.2OBrix and acidity is 5.10 percent.
• A seven year tree yields 250 kg fruits per year.

21. CHES GI-V-8
• It is a promising seedling selection with higher fruit weight.
The tree has upright growth, medium sized. The fruits ripe in
the months of May –June.
• The fruit weight ranges between 75 to 85g.
• Fruits are dull red colored, 4-5 seeds/fruit, rind dark red,
flesh white, 8 segments, juicy and acid sweet, seeds attached
to flesh. The rind recovery is 62 per cent.
• The fruit contains 13.50 Brix total soluble solids and
62mgVitamin – C /100g pulp.
• The average yield is 300-500 fruits per tree.

22. CHES GI-VIII-5
• It is a high yielding promising seedling selection. The tree is
spreading, medium sized.
• Fruits ripe in the months of May –June. The average fruit
weight ranges between 50-60 g.
• Fruit are dull red in colour, 6-7 seeds/fruit, rind dark red, flesh
white, 8 segments, juicy and acid sweet, seed attached to
flesh.
• The rind recovery is 59.5 per cent. The fruit contains 14.10
Brix total soluble solids, 64 mg Vitamin C per 100 g pulp. The
average yield is 1000-1200 fruits per tree.

23. CHES GI-V-4
• It is a high yielding promising seedling selection.The trees are
spreading type, medium sized, 3- 4 m height , 4-5 m tree
spread. The fruits ripe in the month of May –June.
• The fruit weight ranges between 45 to 50g. Fruits are dull
red coloured, rind dark red, flesh white, 8 segments, juicy
and acid sweet, seed attached to flesh.
• The rind recovery is 48 per cent.
• The fruit contains14.50 Brix total soluble solids and 36 mg
Vitamin C /100g pulp. The average yield is 1000-1250 fruits
per tree.

24. Planting methods
• Kokum can be planted as a monocrop or as a mixed crop in coconut
and arecanut plantation and can also be planted in a kitchen garden
• Square system of planting can be adopted.
• Hedge row system can also be used which provide scope for
intercropping and better intercultural operations.
• In an established coconut plantation planted at 7.5 to 8 m spacing
Kokum can be planted in the centre of 2 coconut palms.
• 300 kokum plants can be accommodated per hectare as a mixed
crop in coconut plantation planting of kokum as mixed crop has
proved to increase the coconut yield by 34 per cent.
• While planting in kitchen garden, kokum should be planted at least
4 to 5 m away from other tall plants.

25. • Considering the growth habit andconical canopy of kokum
Dr. B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli has recommended
a spacing of 6 X 6 m for sole plantation of kokum.
• A pit of 60 cm3 is prepared before monsoon and filled with a
mixture of top soil, 10 kg FYM and 1 kg Single Super
Phosphate.
• Planting is done at the onset of monsoon
• The initial growth of kokum seedling and graft is very slow
and hence requires staking. When grafts are planted,
periodical removal of suckers below graft joint is essential.

26. Irrigation
• Irrigation helps for better establishment of kokum plant.
Initially 15 L of water per week in winter and twice a week in
summer.
• For the first three years after planting, irrigation is essential.
• The modern methods like drip irrigation are beneficial than
the conventional methods.
• Mulching helps to retain soil moisture.
• The weed near kokum plant should be removed and used for
mulching.

27. Nutrient management
• 2 kg FYM, 50 g N, 25 g P2O5 and 25 g K2O is recommended
for 1 year old kokum plant.
• This dose is increased in same proportion every year upto 10
years and there onwards 20 kg FYM, 500 g N, 250 g P2O5
and 250 g K2O is recommended.
• The fertilizers are applied in the month of August after the
heavy rains, in a circular trench around plant of about 30 cm
deep and 30 – 45 cm wide and covered with soil.
• Farmers in the Konkan region do not apply inorganic
fertilizers to kokum. FYM or available organic manures are
used.

28. Training and pruning
• Kokum is an evergreen plant with attractive conical shaped
canopy.
• When seedlings are planted, the central stem is allowed to
grow without pinching to develop the canopy.
• The plant attains a height of about 10 m when it is fully grown.
• It is often experienced that as the height increases the lower
portion of plant comes under shade and becomes less
productive.
• Furthermore it is also noticed that the fruits at the top of tall
tree remain small in size and becomes unmarketable.

29. • Maintaining the height of kokum tree at about 4 – 5 m by
decapitating the apex have preliminary shown promise at
Dapoli.
• When the grafts are planted it is observed that only one
branch grow in certain direction.
• This growth should be prevented by regular pinching.
• Growth in all directions should be tried to induce on a graft.
• The suckers from rootstock below graft union should be
removed regularly.

30. Harvesting and yield
• The seedlings start flowering 7 to 8 years of planting whereas
flowering in grafts is noticed after 3 to 4 years.
• Generally kokum plant flowers during December to January.
• The fruits are harvested after about 120 days of fruit set.
• Kokum fruits are ready for harvesting from the month of
April to May.
• About 40 – 70 per cent fruits are trapped in rains and hence
lost.
• Post flowering foliar spray of Potassium Nitrate and
Monopotassium Phosphate helps to prepone harvesting by
about 10 to 34 days.

31. • Generally 6 – 8 pluckings are required in high yielding plants.
• Spraying of ethrel at the 300 ppm at the stage of full
maturity of kokum fruits helps to facilitate harvesting by
reducing the number of plucking and improving the yield as
well as chemical composition of fruits.
• In a seedling population 30 – 50 kg yield per plant is
obtained.
• In a well managed plantation 100 kg yield per plant is
obtained.
• When kokum is planted as mixed crop in coconut plantation
15 kg yield per plant is obtained.

33. Diseases and pests
• Major diseases and pests are not noticed in kokum. The
drying back of twigs has been noted at CHES Chettalli.
• It is advised to remove the diseased portion of a branch and
smearing of Bordeaux paste on the wound.
• The leaf eating beetles (Podontiacongregata
(Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) are noticed in Chettalli
conditions.
• It is present through the year on the host and causes large
scale defoliation of the plant by larvae and adult beetles

34. Post harvest practices
• The Shelf life of kokum fruits is 4 -5 days under ambient
temperature. It can be extended up to 28 days if stored at
13oC and 86 per cent relative humidity.
• The products such as kokum syrup, salted kokum syrup and
dried rind are traditionally prepared from rind of fruit and oil
is extracted seeds in Konkan region of Maharashtra and
coastal region of Karnataka.Dried rind is prepared by sun
drying .
• The fresh fruits are manually cut into halves and the fleshy
portion containing the seeds is removed.

35. • The outer skin is sun dried for 3-5 days. The juice is prepared
form outer rind of the ripe fruits. Kokum butter is obtained
from the seed of kokum.
• It is a solid, stable hard butter.
• It is used in preparation of cosmetics, bar soaps and skin
lotions.

36. Dried kokum