SOME LESSER KNOWN MINOR FRUIT CROPS OF NORTHERN PARTS OF WEST BENGAL

In the northern parts of West Bengal there is a good scope of growing of some minor, underexploited fruit crops along with the major fruit crops. Jalpai (Indian olive), latka (Burmese grape) and Panial (Indian plum/coffee plum) are three important minor fruit crops of this region. These fruits are mainly grown as home-stead crops with no or very few management practices. Jalpai is most important among these minor fruit crops and found frequently in homestead cultivation. Jalpai (Elaeocarpus floribundus) belongs to the family Elaeocarpaceae and is a medium to tall tree. Flowers appear during April-May and fruits mature for harvest in August to October. Fruits are greenish in colour, single seeded, the shape resembles olive fruit. Matured jalpai fruits are used mainly for the preparation of pickles and chutney. Latka (Baccaurea sapida) belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and is an evergreen, short to medium height plant. Sub-acid latka fruit is consumed fresh locally. The time of flowering is March-April and fruits are available during the rainy season, 3-4 months after flowering. Matured latka fruits are yellow or yellowish brown in colour. Panial (Flacourtia jangomas) belongs to the family Flacourtiaceae and is a short to medium tree having spines in the young branches. Flowers appear during April-May and fruits are harvested in August-September. A typical local practice is that after harvesting, the matured panial fruits are gently pressed in between the palms of both hand before fresh consumption. Ripe fruits are brown or brown red in colour. Panial fruits have good potential for preparation of jam.