Kulian Lime: a Potential Cultivar of Odisha
Citrus
(Citrus sp.) is the World’s leading tree-fruit crop. It is the third
most important fruit crop in India next to mango and banana. It occupies a place of considerable importance in the
economy of country. The fruits are economically important with a large
scale production of both the fresh fruit and processed products. Citriculture
as a garden industry existed for centuries in India.
Citrus species is grown through-out the
world in tropical and subtropical climate, where there is suitable soil and
sufficient moisture available to sustain the trees. But finest quality table
citrus fruits are grown in non-humid irrigated sub-tropical areas. Citrus is
the second most important fruit crop after grapes in area and production in the
world. India ranks fifth among major lime and lemon producing countries in the
world. It is grown in more than 100 countries under tropical, subtropical and
Mediterranean climatic conditions. It is considered to be one of the most remunerative
fruit crops that have a lasting niche in the International trade and world
finance.
Citrus
(Citrus sp.) belongs to the family Rutaceae, sub family
Aurantioidae consisting
of as many as 144 species (Tanaka, 1951). Most of the citrus species are native
to Tropical and subtropical regions. Species such as Citron (C. medica L.),
sour pummelo (C. megalaxycarpa), rough lemon (C. jambhiri) and
sour orange (C. aurantium L.) have been found to be grown in wild
and semi wild condition in different northeastern states of India.
Acid Lime (Citrus
aurantifolia Swingle), from the family Rutaceae originated in India and
then spread to the Middle East and other tropical and subtropical countries. It is commonly known as Nimbu or sour lime. It is the third
most important citrus fruit crop in India next to mandarin and sweet orange and a highly poly-embryonic
species. It is generally grown under both tropical and subtropical conditions
in the plain and up to 1000 m above mean sea level with low humid climate.
Kuliana
lime is a local elite land race of Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, where it is
extensively grown as the hot summer and cold winter climate of the area is
highly suitable for its cultivation. This local land race is
traditionally grown in village Kuliana from which the name has come as Kuliana
lime and is widely popular in the state for its size and juice content. It
covers more than 500 Hectare in the district and being widely grown on both
sides of river Budhabalanga.