Improved genotypes of harad (Terminalia chebula): A new potential crop for Jammu & Kashmir region of India

Interest in domestication of harad, due to its mutipurpose uses and market potential, has received much impetus recently. The large sized fruit of harad fetches higher price in national and international markets. The present study was carried out in farmers' fields in three villages of Jammu district. Trees were grouped into three categories: i. Improved (5–10 years old), ii improved (10–15 years old) and iii naturally growing (15–20 years old). Ten trees using simple random sampling were selected and analyzed for tree parameters (height, diameter, crown spread) and fruit parameters (fruit length, fruit diameter, fresh fruit weight, fresh pulp weight and dry fruit weight, fruit yield per tree, fruit productivity). Natural growing plants were older (15–20 years) than both the improved groups (5–10 years and 10–15 years). The both groups of improved plants had significantly lower size (height, dbh and crown spread) than natural growing plants. Fruit parameters (fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit fresh weight, fresh pulp weight per fruit) of both the improved groups were statistically at par and like their mother tree due to precocity but significantly higher than the natural plants, however, these parameters were significantly lower in natural plants. Maximum fruit yield per plant and per hectare was observed in improved plants of 10–15 years age group followed by improved trees of 5–10 years age-group. Minimum yield per tree was observed in naturally growing plants (15–20 years) despite their largest crown spread due to small sized fruits. The price received by the farmers and, net margins for pre-harvest contractors and forwarding agents were higher for improved harad than natural harad.