The world population was listed at one billion in 1804. Statistics show that 123 years passed before it reached two billion in 1927, but it took only 33 years to hit the three billion mark in 1960. From then on it rose by leaps and bounds, taking only 14 years to reach four billion in 1974 and 13 years to rise to five billion in 1987. I still remember reading about the world population reaching six billion in 1999. It now stands at 7.5 billion, and it took only 17 years to reach that number.
As the population keeps on increasing, the land on which to grow food keeps on shrinking. But there is one tree which in the future is thought to be capable of feeding the world -- or at least the countries that produce it: Artocarpus heterophyllus, commonly known as jackfruit or khanoon in Thai. It produces the biggest edible fruit in the world, 25-60cm long, 25-50cm in diameter and weighing 30-50kg.
Barrel- or pear-shaped and covered with short, pyramidal spines, the jackfruit is a versatile food source. When ripe the pulp surrounding the thumb-sized seeds can be eaten fresh or as chips, preserved in honey or syrup, made into jam and chutney, or used to flavour ice-cream. The seeds can substitute for rice or corn as a staple food after boiling or roasting, or dried and ground to make flour, which is mixed with wheat flour for baking. The non-edible portion of the fruit is rich in pectin and is ideal for making jam. In Thailand as well as in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and India, the young fruit is cooked as a vegetable in curries.
plenty to go around: The biggest fruit in the world, the jackfruit is thought to be capable of feeding a burgeoning world population.
The US Department of Agriculture's national nutrient database lists the jackfruit as rich in potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and protein. It is high in carbohydrates, carotene and dietary fibre but contains no cholesterol.
The tree has other uses as well. A yellow dye extracted from its wood is used to colour silk and cotton robes of Buddhist monks. Resistant to termite attack and fungal and bacterial decay, its timber is considered superior to teak for furniture, construction and musical instruments. Roots of older trees are highly prized for carving and making picture frames.
The jackfruit is also valued for its medicinal properties. According to the book Plant Resources of South-East Asia: Edible fruits and nuts, the jackfruit pulp and seeds are considered useful in overcoming the effects of alcohol, the seed starch relieves biliousness, and roasted seeds are used as an aphrodisiac. Heated leaves are placed on wounds. Mixed with vinegar the latex promotes healing of abscesses, snakebites and glandular swelling. The bark is used as a poultice, the wood has sedative properties and the root is used as a remedy against skin diseases and asthma.
A medium-sized, evergreen tree up to 15m high, the jackfruit is conical when young and becomes rounded or spreading as it grows older. Trees grown from seed start flowering when they are five to seven years old, while trees propagated by cloning bear fruit two years after planting. The fruit usually grows on the trunk and the main branches, but in the Philippines as well as Thailand, I have seen trees with fruit also emerging from the ground. Apparently the fruit grew on adventitious roots and developed underground. As it increased in size it created a small mound which subsequently burst to reveal the fruit.
In favourable conditions, jackfruit trees bear flowers and fruit throughout the year, but the main harvest season is January to May. You will know that the fruit is ready to harvest when the colour changes from pale green to greenish- or brownish-yellow, and the spines flatten and the spaces between them widen. Like the durian, the jackfruit is ripe if it gives out a dull, hollow sound when tapped, and emits a smell that is offensive to the uninitiated but heavenly to the connoisseur.
good sprout: The fruit grows on branches as well as the trunk.
In the old days, Thais believed the jackfruit to be an auspicious tree. As its name in Thai, khanoon, sounds like oot-noon, meaning support or patronage, they believed that having a jackfruit tree in the yard would ensure smooth sailing in the homeowner's career or business as he would get support from influential people or good patronage from customers. Even to this day, it is common to see an old jackfruit tree often laden with fruit in people's yards, be it in Bangkok or in the provinces.
Whether planting it for psychological reasons or for food, it is a good idea to have a jackfruit tree in your backyard, if you have the space. If you are planting from seed use only large seeds from outstanding mother trees. Wash thoroughly to remove the slimy coating around the seeds and sow immediately as viability is reduced if they are allowed to dry out.
The seeds germinate four to six weeks after sowing. When the seedlings have four leaves, plant them in individual pots placed in partial shade. Replant the seedlings in their permanent site before the tap roots grow outside the pots, that is, when they are less than a year old, as disturbance of the roots could be fatal to the plants.
Waiting for the seeds to germinate and to bear fruit, however, takes time. If you want to harvest the fruit of your labour in just two years, plant a sapling which has been propagated from a tree which is already bearing fruit.
Plant nurseries specialising in fruit trees make sure they propagate only the best varieties, and there are many to choose from at the annual Kaset Fair at Kasetsart University every first week of February. Nurseries in Chanthaburi, Rayong and Prachin Buri are also good sources of trees to plant.
It is best to plant fruit trees at the start of the rainy season. If you are planting in the dry season make sure to water your trees regularly, and to use mulch to conserve moisture. When transplanting, be careful not to disturb the roots as you remove the saplings from the pot. If polybags are used, all you have to do is cut the bottom of the container. Carefully set the plants in the prepared holes, then fill the holes with topsoil mixed with compost.
Jackfruit trees bear fruit continuously although they are seldom fertilised. For bigger and better fruit, however, fertilise your trees twice a year, at the start and towards the end of the rainy season. When the trees are small start with 100-150g ammonium sulphate per plant and increase the amount accordingly as they grow bigger. When the trees start fruiting, change to 0.5-1kg of complete fertiliser (NPK 15-15-15 or equivalent) or one high in phosphorus and potassium (NPK 8-24-24).
Email nthongtham@gmail.com.
doesn't fall far: Plant nurseries specialising in fruit trees make sure they propagate only the best varieties. The fruit is shown for you to know what you are getting. Photos: Normita Thongtham
