The largest citrus fruit tree, that also produces the largest of citrus fruits, is the Pumello.
A common tree in the backyards and containers of Salt Lake houses, the fruit is native to south and south east Asia. Its Bengali name “Batabi lebu” is probably a modification of the word “Batavia”, which is the old name of Jakarta and suggests that its origin is the Indonesian island Java where Jakarta lies.
Scientifically known as Citrus grandis, the Pumello looks like a Grape Fruit, generally six to eight inches in diameter and weighs between one and 2kg.
It is usually pale green to yellow when ripe with sweet white to pink pulp and a very thick rind. The tree usually produces a large number of flowers in spring, but most of them fall off so that the remaining flowers can bear fruit. In Bengal, common varieties of the fruit are Krishnagar 1, Krishnagar 3, Assembly and Duncan Omorse.
Cultivation: Like other citrus trees, the Pumello grows well in tropical climates. It is also capable of adapting to dry weather with high rainfall.
It can be grown on a wide range of soils but rich sandy loam soils are ideal. Salt Lake soil is good for growing Pumello.
The tree is commonly planted in spring in a previously dug pit measuring 3ftx3ftx3ft. Pits are allowed to weather for at least 15 to 20 days before planting. The pits are refilled with sandy loam soil and Farm Yard Manure (FYM) in 5:50 proportion. Application of a little bone-meal and wood ash will be beneficial. Refilling of pits should be done a fortnight before the plantation and watered for settlement of soil. It is important that the weather is not rainy, hot or too cold during plantation.
Propagation: Vegetative propagation by cutting or air-layering is commonly adopted in case of Pumello. An elite mother tree should be selected, that is free from diseases and which produces lots of fruits.
After care: As in other citrus trees the young plants must be protected from excessive heat, wind and moisture. For manuring, Nitrogen should be applied in the form of FYM and oil cakes, and Phosphate and Potassium as superphosphate and Murate of Potash respectively. A fully-grown plant will require 500g Nitrogen, 200g Phosphate and 400g Potash. This should be applied in two doses.
In summer irrigate the plants by flooding. Do this frequently to young plants.
Harvesting: Citrus fruits are generally harvested when their colours begin to change, but in case of Pumello, colour is not a good criterion for harvesting. Generally it develops pale yellow colour after maturity.
Pumellos taste sweet and are generally eaten raw, sprinkled with salt. It is rich in Vitamin C and helps to control ailments like diabetes, heart disease, insomnia and fevers.
The pulp of the fruit is used in salad, while the peel is used to make candies.
Citrus plants are susceptible to diseases like dieback, bacterial canker, powdery mildew, stem rot, leaf blight and gummosis. They must be controlled in order to increased production. The problem is that the disease is detected only when the symptoms are visible and by then it is too late. So preventive measures must be taken.
To be continued
