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Technical Kisanखेती, तकनीक के साथ
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Imli (Tamarind)All seasonsGrafted improved varietyUpdated 6 September 2026

PKM-1

The most widely planted improved tamarind in India, released by TNAU's Horticultural Research Station, Periyakulam. A precocious, prolific, semi-dwarf grafted type with reddish-brown pulp that comes into bearing early and gives very heavy crops on a manageable-sized tree.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodBears from year 4–5
Expected yieldVery high — mature trees commonly give 250+ kg pods a year
Suitable soilAll soils

Quick facts

Crop
Imli (Tamarind)
Type
Grafted improved variety
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
Bears from year 4–5
Expected yield
Very high — mature trees commonly give 250+ kg pods a year
Suitable soil
All soils
Release
Released by the Horticultural Research Station, Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

About this variety

PKM-1 (Periyakulam-1) is a selection released by the Horticultural Research Station, Periyakulam, of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, and is by far the most planted improved tamarind in India. It is grown as a softwood or approach graft, so it starts bearing in about four to five years — against ten to fifteen for a seedling — and stays a semi-dwarf, spreading tree that can be sprayed and harvested without ladders or long poles. The pulp is reddish-brown and acidic, suited to culinary use and to concentrate and pulp processing. Widely reported figures put a mature tree at around 250 kg or more of pods a year, with commercial orchards planted at 6–8 m or, for an early high-density block, 5 × 5 m and thinned later.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeGrafted improved variety
    MaturityBears from year 4–5
    Yield potentialVery high — mature trees commonly give 250+ kg pods a year
    Disease resistanceNo special resistance claimed; standard bud webber and pod borer watch
    SoilAll soils
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Spacing6–8 m for a standard grafted orchard; 5 × 5 m for an early high-density block, thinned once the canopies meet

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

Bears from year 4–5

Expected yield

Very high — mature trees commonly give 250+ kg pods a year

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • No special resistance claimed; standard bud webber and pod borer watch

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Bears in about 4–5 years — a fraction of the wait for a seedling
  • Semi-dwarf, spreading frame that can be sprayed and harvested easily
  • Prolific — mature trees commonly give 250+ kg of pods a year
  • Consistent reddish-brown, acidic pulp that processors and traders will pay a premium for

Things to consider

  • No special pest or disease resistance — bud webber at flowering and pod borer still need managing
  • A high-density 5 × 5 m block must be thinned once the canopies meet or the inner tree goes bare

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Tamil Nadu
  • Karnataka
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Telangana
  • Maharashtra

Sourced from: TNAU Agritech Portal — Tamarind. editorial policy.