Amla Cultivation: Tips to Grow and Care

Table of Contents

• An overview of Amla or gooseberry
• What are the different varieties of amla in India?
• How to cultivate an amla tree?
  • Soil and Climate
  • Propagation
  • Field Preparation and Planting
  • Irrigation
  • Training and Pruning
  • Pest and Disease Management
  • Harvesting and Yield
• Which are the top Amla production states in India?

An Overview of Amla or Gooseberry

Amla, which is also known as gooseberry, can grow to around 60 feet in height. The scientific name of Amla is Phyllanthus Emblica. Amla fruit is also the richest source of vitamin C and has strong medicinal properties, helping cure coughing, jaundice, diabetes, dyspepsia, bronchitis, diarrhea, and fever. The green fruits of amla are also used in making pickles. All parts of the amla plant, including fruit, seeds, leaves, root, and even amla flower, are used in traditional Indian medicine. Amla has the ability to grow in variable soil conditions. The amla farming in India has increased over the past few years. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are major amla-growing states in India.

What are the Different Varieties of Amla in India?

There are three main types of amla variety in India: Chakaiya amla, Francis amla and Banarasi. Each variety has its own merits and demerits. Let’s take a look at each amla type in detail.

Chakaiya: This is a late-maturing crop, which matures from mid-December to January. The fruits are small to medium-sized. However, certain varieties of Chakaiya take on distinct characteristics. It contains 100g of ascorbic acid, 2% fiber content, and 3.4% pectin. Also, this is most suitable for making shreds and pickles.

Francis: This is a mid-season crop which matures from mid-November to mid-December. This tree has dropping branches, which is why it is often known as “Hathijhool”. Also, it has a large-sized fruit (45.8g) in weight and greenish white in color.

Banarasi: This variety of amla matures earlier than other varieties. The fruits are large in size with smooth skin and whitish yellow in color. Also, it contains 1.4% fiber content, and the average yield is 120 kg/tree.

How To Cultivate an Amla Tree?

Cultivating an amla tree involves several steps. Hence, in the section below, we explain the most important stages of amla farming from soil testing to harvesting methods.

Soil and Climate

Amla is a hardy plant that can be grown in variable soil conditions. It can even tolerate moderately alkaline soil. It gives better results when it is grown under fertile loamy soil. However, avoid amla cultivation in heavy soils.

Amla is a subtropical plant, which is why it prefers a dry climate with temperatures up to 46°C and rainfall of 360-700 mm.

Propagation

Amla trees can be propagated by grafting or budding method on one-year rootstocks to ensure high-quality, early bearing plants. The seeds are hard and take time to germinate. Therefore, these techniques allow farmers to maintain genetic traits and produce consistent crops.

Field Preparation and Planting

Initial ploughing in amla cultivation is a critical, deep soil preparation process. It ensures proper drainage, promotes root penetration, and creates a fine tilth. After deep and thorough ploughing, pits of 1 cubic metre size can be dug at a spacing of 9 x 9 m.

After that, apply 10 kg of FYM and mix well with the soil. Apply the N:P:K fertilizer dose in the form of nitrogen @100 gm/plant, phosphorus @50 gm/plant and potassium @100 gm/plant.

Irrigation

For amla cultivation, there is no irrigation requirement during the winter and rainy season. However, irrigation at 15-to-20-day intervals is essential in dry summer, especially during the early years of orchard establishment.

Training and Pruning

To grow amla successfully, train the tree using a modified central leader system. Keep 4 to 5 main branches with wide angles about 0.75 meters above the ground. You can also prune the trees to maintain the desired size and shape. Prune only a little, mostly to remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches in December. This helps more light reach the tree, improves its shape, and increases the harvest.

Pest and Disease Management

Pests and their control

• Bark-eating caterpillar: Damages the stems and branches of grown-up trees by eating the bark. It can be controlled by applying a few drops of kerosene in the holes.
• Gall caterpillar: The young caterpillars bore in the apical meristem and make a tunnel. To control this pest, spray systemic insecticide like Dimethoate 0.03%.

Disease and their control

• Rust: Circular red rust appears on the leaves and also on the fruit. To control this disease, Spray 0.2% Mancozeb at an interval of 7 to 28 days during July to September.
• Fruit Rot: The symptoms are swelling and color change of fruits. To cure this disease, Application of borax or NaCl @0.1%-0.5% should be applied.

Harvesting and Yield

The trees will start yielding from 8 – 10 years after planting. Grafted or budded plants will yield from the 5th year or 6th year. The average yield is about 150 kg/tree/year.  

Which are the top Amla production states in India?

According to the National Horticulture Board, In the year 2020 – 21, Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of amla. It produced 402.63 thousand MT of amla in the area of 36.70 thousand hectares. Below is the state-wise production data of amla cultivation in India: