SAPOTA
(Achras Zapota)


CLIMATE

Sapota is a tropical fruit crop. It prefers a warm and moist weather and grows in both dry and humid weather. Coastal climate is best suited. in A.p. It is grown in area of 4700 Ha with an annual production of 55314 M. Tonnes. The major sapota growing districts are Prakasam, Guntur, West Godavari, Nellore and East Godavari.

VARIETIES

Cricket ball, Kalipatti, Calcutta round, Kirthibharathi, Dwarapudi, Pala Sapota, PKM-1.

PROPOGATION

Approach grafting / Veneer grafting on Pala root-stock.

SPACING

Light soils 10m X 10m
Heavy soils 13m X 13m

PLANTING

Plough the land. Dig pits of 1m x 1m x 1m at a distance of 10m x 10 m or 13 m apart depending on soil type. Fill the pits with top soil and compost . Plant the grafts in the middle of the pit keeping the grafts joint above the ground level. Stake the plant.

MANURES & FERTILIZERS

FYM Before planting and every year 50 Kg/Plant. Manure the plants in the begining of rainy season. Apply manures and fertilizers 60-90 cm away from the trunk.

S.No
Age of the tree Yrs.
Nitrogen
Phosphorus(in gms) per plant
Potash
1.
1-3
50
20
75
2.
4-6
100
40
150
3.
7-10
200
80
300
4.
11 Yrs onwards
400
160
450

Manure the plants in the beginning of rainy season. Apply manures and fertilizers 60-90 cm away from the trunk.

IRRIGATION

When plants are young irrigation should be given throught the year depeding on the soil conditions the primary arms and secondaries nor allowing them to grow more than 60 cm. at a time. As they grow the shoots are tied with jute twine and all tendrils are removed.

Spray Schedule:

Spray the plants with 17 ml dimethocate or 20ml malathion with 23 g zineb in 10 lr. of water whenever incidence of pests and diseases is noticed.

HARVESTING & YIELD

Bearing starts from 4th year onwards and economical yields can be obtained from 7th year. Plants flower almost throught the year. it takes 4-6 moths from flowering to fruit maturity. March to May and Septermber to October are the two district seson harvest.

S.No
Age
Yields
1.
4-5th year
250 fruits per plant.
2.
6-7th year
800 fruits per plant.
3.
8th-20th year
1200-1500 fruits per plant.
4.
By 30th year
2500-3000 fruit per plant.