Tamarind variety · Traditional cultivar
Lakshamana
Nandihalli village, Tumkur district, Karnataka · Farmer-participatory breeding; farmer Shri Laxmannappa identified the tree · Documented 2016–2020
Significantly superior yield and pod character compared to local trees in participatory breeding trials. Regular bearer. Light brown pulp, broader pod shape desirable for marketing, low fiber content. Flowers May–June, matures February–March, harvested March–April, allowing farmers to process during lean agricultural season for premium pricing.
Key facts
| Type | Traditional cultivar |
|---|---|
| Origin | Nandihalli village, Tumkur district, Karnataka |
| Breeder / source | Farmer-participatory breeding; farmer Shri Laxmannappa identified the tree |
| Year released | Documented 2016–2020 |
| Parentage | Local landrace selection; 40-year-old tree |
| Yield | Reported 251.4 kg/tree over 4 years (2016–2020), compared to 165.0 kg/tree in local trees; represents 52% yield advantage. Pulp recovery 43% vs. 28% in local tamarind. Total acidity 20%, total sugars 29.78%. |
| Distinctive features | Light brown pulp, regular bearing, excellent pod characters, early maturity, high pulp recovery |
| Grown in | Karnataka; Tumkur district and semi-arid Deccan zone |
Figures are indicative, compiled from public agricultural sources (ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities, the Spices Board and the National Innovation Foundation) and vary with soil, season and management. Confirm with your local package of practices.
Lakshamana in detail
A light-brown-pulped tamarind from rural Karnataka that bears reliably and yields about 52% more fruit than local trees, selected by a farmer for processing quality and early harvest timing.
Origin & story
Identified from Nandihalli village, Tumkur district, Karnataka (13.52°N, 76.74°E, 860 m elevation) by farmer Shri Laxmannappa, the selected tree was around 40 years old. Participatory breeding trials from 2016-2020 documented its superiority over local seedling tamarind in pod traits and annual yield.
How it grows
Flowers May-June, matures February-March, and is harvested March-April, letting farmers process pulp during the lean agricultural season when other field work is minimal. It is a regular bearer, unlike the alternate-bearing tendency common in seedling tamarind, and is grown in Tumkur's dryland tamarind belt.
Quality & character
Pods are long and curved, measuring about 25.4 cm long and 3.8 cm broad, considerably larger than local pods (around 13.5 cm by 2.36 cm). Pulp is light brown with 43% recovery versus about 28% in local tamarind, and low fiber content (around 5%). Total acidity is 20% and total sugar 29.78%, with glucose and fructose making up roughly 96.8% of the sugars. Seeds and shell chips also have market value.
Why it matters to buyers
Trial average yield was 251.4 kg/tree against 165 kg/tree for local tamarind, about a 52% advantage. The broad pod shape, high pulp recovery, and light pulp color are preferred in trade. Early March-April harvest lets growers process pulp during the lean season. Byproducts such as seeds and shell chips add supplementary income, and processing work provides around Rs 400/day of rural employment.
About tamarind
Tamarind has been cultivated in India for centuries, from the dry zones of Rajasthan to the humid southern spice gardens. Today, farmers choose from released varieties bred for higher yields and disease tolerance, landraces that carry generations of adaptation to their home soils, and sweet types that command premium prices for desserts and drinks. Here…
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