Starfruit tree is perennial and its height ranges from 5 to 10 meters. Starfruit branches are thick and graceful and the leaves remain green throughout the year. The unripe fruit is green in color and turns yellow when ripe. Starfruit fruit is 7.5 to 10 cm long. In addition to mature, starfruit trees produce up to 100 kg of fruit annually. The fruits of starfruit are aromatic, pulpy and juicy, and taste both sour and sweet. Both varieties are also used to make medicinal products. Along with this, chutney, pickle, juice, jam etc. are also made from starfruit. Tractor are very useful for this.
All types of amino acids necessary for human health are found in the fruits of Starfruit. That is why medicines for many diseases are made from it. In addition, Starfruit contains vitamins ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ as well as a good amount of phosphorus, zinc, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and iron. Furthermore, high amounts of antioxidant and polyphenolic compounds such as quercetin, gallic acid, alanine, lysine and sarin are found in Starfruit fruit.
In India, Starfruit is grown in the states of Odisha, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Apart from India, cumin is also grown in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Peru, Colombia, Trinidad, Ecuador, Guyana, Brazil and the United States. Starfruit jam and jelly are very popular in foreign countries. In India, it is mostly eaten raw. Its vegetables are also liked very much. It tastes wonderful with sweet potato chaat. There is a lot of demand for it in the domestic and foreign markets. That’s why the price is also good in the market.
Starfruit Consumption Health Benefits
According to the experts of food science and post-harvest technology of ICAR- IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute), New Delhi, minerals and vitamins obtained from Starfruit are very important and useful for health. They give us longevity, energy and beauty. Consuming this is beneficial in diseases like bladder and kidney problems, relief from fever, bile and digestive problems, flatulence and diarrhoea etc. In addition, consuming Starfruit makes vitamin ‘B’ complex abundantly available. This makes women’s hair strong and shiny.
Features Of Starfruit Farming
Advanced Varieties of Starfruit:
The Starfruit tree is special because it does not have any specific species or variety. Its varieties are identified on the basis of their sour and sweet taste. In this way, there are only two varieties of Starfruit – Sour and Sweet.
Starfruit farming Steps
Soil And Climate For Starfruit Farming
A warm climate is best for Starfruit farming. For this, the soil pH value should be around 5.5 to 6.5. Alluvial soil rich in nutrients is suitable for the good production of Starfruit. There should be an ideal drainage arrangement in its garden. Starfruit trees can be easily grown in areas up to a height of 1200 metres above sea level with the help of the New Holland TX tractor. But its yield is affected in frosty areas.
Starfruit farming Plant Preparation
Before transplanting Starfruit plants, they have to be prepared in the nursery. Almost all popular methods can prepare them. Moreover, January is the best time for Starfruit farming.
Field Preparation And Transplanting
Before planting Starfruit saplings, the field should be well-ploughed two to three times with the help of a Sonalika Mahabali tractor. The field should be freed from the weeds, and the soil should be levelled by applying a footing. One month before the rainy season, pits should be dug in the field for transplanting plants in such a way that the gap between them is 8×8 metres. When transplanting, make a mixture of 5 kg of compost and soil, fill the pits with it, and make a tree tray. Regular cleaning and weeding of these plates should be done. This improves the development of the plant.
Irrigation Of Starfruit Plants
After transplanting, light irrigation of Starfruit should be done. Irrigation is not needed during the rainy season. But it is necessary to protect the trees from the condition of waterlogging. After this, irrigation should be done on 15 days in summer and at the interval of one month in winter or as per requirement.
Manures And Fertilisers
Since the Starfruit tree is perennial and bears fruits throughout the year, it also needs nutrients throughout the year. That’s why it is necessary to give 100 kg of rotten cow dung manure in a year for better yield of each Starfruit tree. If only this is done, the Starfruit farming does not need chemical fertilisers. However, according to the soil test report, chemical fertilisers can be used.
Harvesting In Starfruit Farming
The colour of the Starfruit changes from green to yellow when ripe. Its ripe fruits should be plucked carefully so as not to harm them. After harvesting, Moreover, starfruit should be sent to the market after washing and cleaning thoroughly with water as it fetches good prices.
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