Family: Tiliaceae Synonyms: Grewia subinequalis

Introduction:
Phalsa (Grewia asiatica) is one of the oldest fruits known

to Indians. It belongs to the family Tiliaceae to which also belongs the important fibre crop jute. Phalsa has been mentioned in Vedic literature as having certain medicinal qualities. It is capable of growing under neglected and water scarcity conditions where only a few other crops would survive. Cont..,

 Phalsa is believed to be indigenous to India.

In India, it is commercially cultivated in the states of

Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Besides these states, it is also cultivated on a limited scale in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

Punjab Haryana

Rajasthan
Gujarat M.P Maharashtra

U.P Bihar W.B

A.P

Soil & Climate

It can be grown on a wide range of soils, even on

moderately alkaline soils. It is considered to be one of the most hardy fruits and is drought resistant. Fields where other fruit crops are unsuccessful, Phalsa can be grown with success. The phalsa can grow successfully. all over the country except at higher elevations. In northern India, it sheds its leaves in winter and being deciduous in habit, it can stand the frost. Cont..,

 A grown up plant can tolerate the freezing

temperature for a few days.

The plants can tolerate temperatures as high as 44C. If phalsa is pruned in early winter, it starts putting

forth new growth almost immediately which is liable to damage by frost.

Phalsa tree description:

A small deciduous tree or large straggling shrub, up to

4.5 m tall. Leaf:

Leaves alternate, simple, deciduous, broadly cordate to

ovate, rather variable, up to 20 cm x 16 cm, base oblique, apex acute to acuminate, margins coarsely toothed, pubescent above, densely tomentose beneath, 5 principal nerves palmate, petiole up to 1.5 cm long.

Cont..,

 Inflorescences Inflorescences in axillary 3-5-flowered cymes, clustered in groups from 2-8; flowers 5-merous, yellow, peduncle up to 2.5 cm pedicel 1 cm long; sepals oblong, 1-1.5 cm long; petals obovate, 6-8 mm long, yellow; androgynophore 23 mm long, stamens 65-75, ovary 4-locular, stigma irregularly lobed.

Cont..,

Phalsa flowers

 Fruit Fruit a globose drupe, 1.8-2.2 cm in diameter, indistinctly lobed, red or purple, finely warty and with stellate hairs; flesh soft, fibrous, greenish- white stained with purplish-red, tasting pleasantly acid.

Seeds Seeds 1-2, hemispherical, 5 mm wide.

Cont..,

 Root: Tap root system.

Nutrition In Phalsa
Nutrient values per 100 g

fruit Calories (Kcal) 90.5 Calories from fat (Kcal) 0.0 Moisture (%) 76.3 Fat (g) <0.1 Protein (g) 1.57 Carbohydrates (g) 21.1 Dietary Fiber (g) 5.53 Ash (g) 1.1 Calcium (mg) 136 Phosphorus (mg) 24.2

Iron (mg) 1.08 Potassium (mg) 372 Sodium (mg) 17.3 Vitamin A (g) 16.11 Vitamin B1,Thiamin (mg) 0.02 Vitamin B2, Riboflavin (mg) 0.264 Vitamin B3, Niacin (mg) 0.825 Vitamin C, Ascorbic acid (mg) 4.385

Varieties
There are 2 varieties; 1. Bush Phalsa: Grewia subinaequalis 2. Tree Phalsa: Grewia asiatica

Propagation
Phalsa is propagated by seed as well as by vegetative

means. They are discussed below.

A. Seed propagation Phalsa is commercially propagated by seed. Since variability does not exist in phalsa, seed multiplication is quite convenient and cheap. Besides, seedling plants of phalsa are fairly true to type i.e. similar to mother plants. Freshly extracted seeds are used for raising seedlings.

Cont..,

B. Vegetative propagation There are mainly three vegetative propagation methods used for phalsa. These are described here. 1. Cutting
Several vegetative methods are reported to be successful

in phalsa. It has been reported that treating phalsa cuttings with 100 ppm indole butyric acid (IBA) for 24 hours yields 60% success, whereas, according to another report, as high as 70% success can be achieved from hard wood cuttings treated with 100 ppm IBA.

Cont..,

2. Layering
Propagation of phalsa by air layering has also been tried

by some workers. According to one report, air layering gives 50% success when the air layers are treated with a mixture of IBA, NAA, 2,4-0 and boron in 10,000,10,000, 1000 and 100 ppm, respectively.

3. Grafting
A

technique of soft wood grafting has been recommended by some workers for phalsa in which rootstocks are grown in situ for a year or more and arc defoliated 10 days prior to the grafting operation. Almost 100% success has been recorded in this method.

Insect Pests and Diseases

There are three insects and one disease attacking Phalsa

crop.

A. Pests
Phalsa is free from serious pests. However, about 18 insect

pests have been recorded feeding on phalsa. Out of these only three are of economic importance and are discussed below. to phalsa by seriously affecting the fruit setting. It can be controlled by spraying with 0.04% Diazinon or Monocrotophos.

1. Mealy bug(Drosicha mangifera)

Mango mealy bug has been reported to cause severe damage

Cont..,

2. Bark eating caterpillar (lnderbela tetraonis)

It is a polyphagous pest which damages the plant by

making tunnels in the main branches or trunk. The affected plant part dries after sometime, due to the girdling effect. It is usually found in neglected orchards. This pest can easily be controlled by injecting kerosene oil or petrol in the holes by plugging the mouth with mud. This operation can be performed once 10 a year at prurnng tIme. 3. Leaf eating caterpillar (Euprdctis fraterna) These caterpillars feed gregariously on leaf lamina and skeletonizing it completely. In case of severe infestation entire tree may be defoliated. To control, spray with Carbaryl and Endrin (0.1%). Cont..,

B. Disease
Disease caused by fungus Cercbspora is prominently

found in Phalsa crop.

1. Leaf spot disease

It is a fungal disease caused by Cercospora grewiae. On

affected leaves tiny brown lesions appear on both sides of the leaves and cause premature leaf fall particularly during rainy season. It can be controlled by spraying Dithane Z- 78 at 0.3% concentration or Blitox 0.2% concentration.

Fertilizer Application
Phalsa being a hardy crop, it is generally not given any fertilizers.

But since the bearing is on new growth, it will respond to good fertilization. It has been suggested that 15 kg farmyard manure after pruning followed by 125 g N/plant after sprouting is optimum for high production. The effect of different levels of N, P and K on vegetative growth, flowering, fruit set, fruit quality and leaf composition of phalsa have been studied. Among the micro-nutrients, zinc and iron are found to influence berry size and juiciness. Application of 0.04% ZnSO4 (zinc sulphate) at pre-bloom stage and after berry set will correct zinc deficiency and improve the juice content. Similarly, application ofO.4%FeSO 4 alone or in combination of zinc will improve the berry size.

Irrigation
The phalsa can withstand drought and does not demand

irrigation as frequently as other fruit trees, but adequate supply of irrigation water at regular intervals especially during flowering and fruiting periods can go a long way for ensuring better health of plants and more profitable yields. The time and amount of irrigation may vary greatly according to the soil, climate, rainfall and age of plants. Generally, one irrigation every 15 to 20 days in summer (except during rains) and once every 4-6 weeks in winter is considered adequate. Adequate amount of irrigation to the plants during the time of development of berries, will make them bigger in size and more juicy.

Intercropping
Since phalsa is commonly grown near cities and towns,

it can profitably be intercropped with vegetables and this practice can pay good dividends to the growers. The phalsa plants have to be maintained in a bush form by regular annual pruning and this can allow the space left in between the lines to be profitably used for growing vegetable crops. The phalsa can also be grown as an intercrop in the mango or other fruit crop orchards particularly during the initial years.

Medicinal Uses Of Phalsa Fruit

The unripe fruit relieves inflammations and is used to

treat respiratory, heart and blood afflictions and to treat feverish conditions.

Cont..,

 The ripe fruit is cooling. It is used to allay heat

conditions It also benefits in throat disorders. The fruits are a minefield of antioxidants and are useful in reducing cancer risk. They also relieve stomachache.

Cont..,

 The juice is digestive, alleviates stomachache,

normalizes heart rate and blood pressure and maintains it.

Cont..,

 It brings on urine in cases of stoppage of urine,

removes thirst, protects against heat stroke, vomiting, nausea, and uneasy feelings due to heat. Phalsa removes headache, pimples, burning sensations in the body, acidity, leucorrhea and aversion to food It cures anemia and removes skin dryness.