Lemon / Bara Nimbu
B.N. – Citrus lemon
Family – Rutaceae
Origin – India
- Fruit type- Hesperidium
- Inflorescence type – Cymose (Solitary)
- Edible part – Juicy Placental Hairs.
- Galbal has its ancestral form
- Lemon is divided into 4 groups – 1. Eureka 2. Lisbon 3. Anamalous 4. Sweet Lemon
Varieties
- Fureka
- Lisbon
- Villafrance – (Eureka group)
- Lucknow seedless
- Kagzikalan
- Nepali Oblong
- Nepali Round
- Pant Lemon – 1 – self incompatible
- Baramasi
- Hill Lemon (Galgal) ( pseudolemon)
Climate
- The sub-tropical climate and semi-arid conditions are suitable.
- frost tolerant,
- It can be grown up to a height of 1200 meters above sea level.
Soil
- Well-drained, deep, medium to light loamy soil.
Propagation
- Propagated mainly by seed.
Planting
- Pits are dug in summer at a distance of 6×6 m of size 60-75 cm3.
- Planting is done at the beginning of the monsoon.
Irrigation
- First irrigation is done just after planting.
- It should be done at an interval of 10 days in summer and at an interval of 10-15 days in winter.
- Adequate soil moisture should be maintained during flowering and fruiting stages.
Manure and Fertilizers
- Generally, fertilizers are given thrice in a year i.e. December-January, June-July, and September-October
- FYM is given in June-July or September-October.
- P.K. 600 : 400 : 600 g/tree
Training and Pruning
- Young plants are supported so that they can develop fully.
- Water sprouts, and weak, crisscrossing branches are cut from time to time.
Harvesting
- The tree starts bearing fruits after the fourth year of planting.
- Fully ripe fruits are picked.
- Harvesting is done from May to September in South India and from June to September in Eastern India (Assam).
- In North India – December to January.
Yield
- 600 – 800 fruits per tree per year.
- Some varieties yield up to 85 kg/plant.