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Sapota (chiku) cultivation

Sapota (Manilkara zapota), commonly called chiku in northern India and sapota in the south, is an evergreen tropical fruit tree of the Sapotaceae family. It is grown widely in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and is among the principal commercial fruit crops in the western Indian plains.

Key characteristics

  • Scientific name: Manilkara zapota
  • Plant: evergreen tree, 10-15 m at maturity; long-lived (40+ years)
  • Climate: warm, humid to sub-humid tropics; tolerant of moderate drought and salinity
  • Soil: medium to deep loamy soils with good drainage
  • Spacing: 7-8 m in conventional plantings; 5 x 5 m high-density layouts have been reported to lift yields

Cultivation

Sapota is propagated through softwood grafting, approach grafting or air-layering on Khirni (Manilkara hexandra) seedling rootstock. Seedlings are transplanted into pits of 1 x 1 x 1 m filled with topsoil and farmyard manure. Drip irrigation, balanced fertigation and basin mulching are widely used. Trees bear fruit through much of the year, with two main harvest flushes in most growing belts.

Varieties

The principal commercial cultivars in India are:

  • Kalipatti: the leading commercial cultivar, reported to yield around 32 kg/tree under research conditions
  • Cricket Ball: round, large-fruited cultivar with crisp flesh
  • Murabba: round, medium-large fruited cultivar
  • Other regional selections include Pala, DHS-1 and DHS-2 (released by various SAUs)

Pest and disease profile

Major problems include bud-borer, fruit fly, mealybug and leaf-webber, alongside sooty mould associated with mealybug honeydew. Anthracnose and stem-end rot affect post-harvest quality.

Adoption and use

Sapota is sold mainly as fresh table fruit through urban and peri-urban markets; smaller volumes are processed into pulp, juice, jam and dehydrated chips. ICAR-IIHR Bengaluru, TNAU and state horticulture universities publish package of practices and varietal recommendations.

(No close sibling entries in this bundle group.)

References

  1. Sapota Varieties. National Horticulture Board.
  2. Sapota varieties. TNAU Agritech Portal.