Tamarind variety · Traditional cultivar
Urigam
Also known as Urigam Red Tamarind
Near Urigam village, Thenkanikottai, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu · Local farmer selection identified by Department of Horticulture, Tamil Nadu
Long-podded type (30 cm average length, 6.25 cm width) with red pulp. Ancient local type indicating superior adaptation to Tamil Nadu's Dharmapuri hills. Umbrella-shaped branching pattern; grafts mature in 4th year, seedlings in 6–8 years. Late flowering (March), harvest (July).
Key facts
| Type | Traditional cultivar |
|---|---|
| Origin | Near Urigam village, Thenkanikottai, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu |
| Breeder / source | Local farmer selection identified by Department of Horticulture, Tamil Nadu |
| Parentage | Progeny of ancient local tree |
| Yield | Reported 2 tonnes of fruits per year; lower yield than PKM-1 but valued for pod length and quality |
| Distinctive features | Red pulp, long curved pods, fleshy sweet pulp, excellent local reputation |
| Grown in | Tamil Nadu; Dharmapuri and Cumbum areas (Theni district) |
| Also known as | Urigam Red Tamarind |
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.
Urigam in detail
A long-podded tamarind from Tamil Nadu's Dharmapuri hills, Urigam is an ancient local selection known for its red pulp, long curved pods, and umbrella-shaped tree form.
Origin & story
Identified as a superior local genotype near Urigam village, Thenkanikottai, Dharmapuri district, by the Department of Horticulture, Tamil Nadu. No formal year of release is published, but it is recognised by TNAU as a recommended tamarind variety and appears as an established local cultivar in agricultural literature.
How it grows
Suited to the semi-arid tropical conditions of the Dharmapuri hills, where tamarind tolerates a wide temperature range (roughly 0 to 46 C) and grows on well-drained loamy soils across a broad pH band. Seedling plants begin bearing at 6-8 years, while grafted trees start bearing in the 4th year, making grafting the preferred route. Flowering is late (March), with harvest by July. Trees stay short and branch in a distinctive umbrella shape.
Quality & character
Long, fleshy pods averaging about 30 cm in length and 6.25 cm in width, with a characteristic flat, inward 'C'-shaped curve. Each fruit weighs roughly 150-200 g and carries 10-12 seeds. The pulp is red, fleshy and notably sweet rather than sharply acidic, which underpins the variety's local reputation.
Why it matters to buyers
Urigam's appeal rests on fruit quality and local adaptation rather than on yield. The pods are prized for their sweetness and fleshy red pulp and are a preferred variety in Tamil Nadu markets, often listed alongside PKM-1. Yields are generally lower than the high-yielding commercial PKM-1, but grafted trees crop several years earlier than seedlings, improving farm economics. Dharmapuri district remains a key zone for the variety, favoured by growers seeking superior taste for culinary use.
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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