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Aonla (Emblica officinalis) in India: A review of its improvement, production

and diversified uses

Article in The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences · November 2019

DOI: 10.56093/ijas.v89i11.95288

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 Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 89 (11): 1773–81, November 2019/Review Article

Aonla (Emblica officinalis) in India: A review of its improvement, production

and diversified uses
A K SINGH1, SANJAY SINGH2, P L SAROJ3, D S MISHRA4, P P SINGH5 and R K SINGH6

ICAR-Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Vejalpur, Gujarat 389 340, India

Received: 20 March 2019; Accepted: 06 May 2019

ABSTRACT
Aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), commonly called Indian gooseberry, belonging to family Euphorbiaceae, is
one of the oldest known indigenous fruit tree species with wide distribution, reflecting its adaptation to wide range
of edaphoclimatic conditions. It is an important fruit owing to its nutritional, therapeutical, and postharvest and
industrial value. Various pharmaceutical attributes of aonla have been described in ancient treatise either in combined
formulation or alone. In a bid to better utilize and improve the present genetic resource, there is a need to apprehend
and appreciate the studies related to use, centre of origin and diversity, as well as the characterization, evaluation
and conservation, taxonomy and systematics, phenology, floral biology and pollination. In addition to basic biology
of plant, agro-techniques, propagation, canopy architecture, physiological disorders, insect-pests and diseases and
their management practices, etc. have been used to conserve aonla germplasm as well as improve its production. An
attempt has been made to cover aforementioned aspects with respect to aonla in this review article.

Key words: Agronomy, Crop improvement, Emblica officinalis, Indian gooseberry

Aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), also known as from the wild aonla trees available in large number in the
Indian gooseberry, is an important fruit crop of Indian nearby Vindhyan hills. Authentic information regarding its
origin grown in all parts of country in diverse agro-climatic cultivation dates back to 1881-82 in the Pratapgarh district
conditions. It has been regarded as sacred tree and known as of Uttar Pradesh. The ailing state owner of the district (King)
Amritphal in ancient literature. Besides India, aonla trees are was advised for regular consumption of aonla fruits. Those
also found in the natural forests of Cuba, USA, Pakistan, Sri
brought from Varanasi were named as ‘Banarasi’ and those
Lanka, Malayasia, China, Java and West Indies. It is used in
Ayurvedic medicine for making Triphala and Chyavanprash.
brought from Gujarat were known as Francis and later on as
Owing to its hardy nature, high productivity, nutritive and Hathijhool because of its drooping branches. A seedling of
therapeutic values, and its suitability for various kinds of Banarasi having flat fruits was named as Chakla and now
value added products, aonla has now become an important it is known as Chakaiya. Such diverse introductions, which
fruit of 21st century (Pathak 2003). The fruit is useful against later on played important role in the development of present
several ailments, and can be made into various value added day high yielding cultivars from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh.
products. Fruit is also used to prepare aonla powder, which It is commercially cultivated in Uttar Pradesh,
is superior to synthetic vitamin C in treating deficiencies. It Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajastan Tamil nadu,
is grown at an estimated area of 50,000 ha with an annual Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Haryana, Madhya
production of 1.5 lakh tonnes (Pathak et al. 2003). Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal (Pathak 2003). In Uttar
Pradesh, its cultivation is more common in Pratapgarh,
Origin and distribution, soil and climate, area and Varanasi, Sultanpur, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Rai Bareily, Agra
production and Bareilly. Of which, Pratapgarh is a leading district
In India, domestication of aonla was first started in
of aonla cultivation on commercial scale throughout the
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh with the initiative of Maharaja
country (Pathak et al. 1993). In last two decades, there
of Kashi. Banarasi, a superior genotype was selected
has been tremendous increase in the area under aonla
cultivation across the country, utilizing the wasteland. This
has resulted in efficient utilization of resources leading to
Present address: 1Principal Scientist (aksbicar@[Link]),
2Head (sanjaysinghicar@[Link]), 4Senior Scientist (dsmhort@ better income to farmers, nutritional security coupled with
[Link]), ICAR-CIAH Gujarat; 3Director (plsaroj@yahoo. enhanced employment and rehabilitation of wastelands
[Link]), 5Principal Scientist (ppsinghciah@[Link]), ICAR- (Singh et al. 2014c).
CIAH Bikaner; 6Head (rjan-1971@[Link]), Division of Seed Though aonla is classified as a subtropical fruit,
Technology, ICAR-CPRI, Shimla. its cultivation in tropical, arid and in rainfed semi-arid

21
1774 SINGH ET AL. [Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 89 (11)

conditions is quite successful. The natural growing plants and Shukla 1990, Baliga 2012, Chatterjee and Sil 2007).
can be seen on hills up to 1800 msl (Pathak 2003). In However, the pharmacological effect of aonla is often
India, now it is grown near sea coast of South India as discussed with the Triphala, consisting of equal amounts of
well as the foothills of North India. Mature aonla tree can three medicinal plants, viz. Emblica officinalis, Terminalia
tolerate freezing as well as high temperature of 48°C, but chebula and T. bellerica. Antioxidant and free radical
the plants are susceptible to frost in winter and sometimes scavenging activity in aonla is due to presence of ascorbic
heavy damage occurs owing to frost in hot arid ecosystem acid, tannins and polyphenolic constituents. Different
of western part of Rajasthan (Pathak et al. 2006). Warm extract of aonla and phytoconstituents are reported to have
temperature seems conducive for initiation of flower buds, antioxidant efficacies against several free radicals such as
whereas ample humidity is essential for initiation of fruit 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) free radicals,
growth of dormant fruitlets during July-August (Pathak superoxide, nitric oxide, iron reduction, 5,5-dimethyl-1-
2003). Abrupt changes in temperature during flowering and pyrroline-N-oxide etc. Phytochemicals of aonla are also
fruit set adversely affect the fruiting of aonla. Dry spells reported as good metal ion chelator they as they can
result in heavy fruit dropping and delay in initiation of prevent the oxidative cascades (Scartezzini et al. 2006).
fruit growth (Pathak et al. 2006). Since aonla is very hardy The nutraceutical and therapeutic values of fruit include
plant, it can be grown in light as well as heavy soil. The great health and vitality (Pathak 2003).
deep root system, reduced foliage, dormancy of fertilized
fruitlets (April-June), coincidence of fruit growth and Morphology, flower biology, cytogenetic, pollination and
development with moisture availability period make aonla pollinators
an ideal plant for arid and semi-arid regions. Aonla can Aonla belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and order
be grown in marginal degraded lands. It can be grown in Euphorbiales with new genus Emblica (earlier Phyllanthus)
acidic to saline/ sodic (pH up to 9.5, ESP-35 and ECe-6-9 which comprises about 350 species to 500 species, mostly
ds/m) soils (Pathak and Patkah 2001). shrubs, few herbs and trees. Amongst various species of
aonla, E. officinalis is largely used for cultivation (Fig 1).
Importance, uses and medicinal significance However, other related species E. acidus Skeel, known as
In Ayurveda, aonla has been extensively used, both as an star gooseberry is mainly grown for ornamental purpose,
edible (tonic) plant for its therapeutic potentials and fruit has E. myrobalan is a small or moderate sized deciduous tree,
been used in Ayurveda as a potent Rasayana (rejuvenator). It E. fischeri is suitable for pickle making and Phyllanthus
contains phytochemicals including fixed oils, phosphatides, indofischeri is a monoecious tree found in scrub forests of
essential oils, tannins, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, fatty south India (Pathak 2003). Crop improvement of aonla is
acids, glycosides, etc. Various pharmaceutical potentials mainly confined to the selection of desirable types from the
of P. emblica have been reported previously including diverse seedling populations of the cultivated genotypes.
antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, Basic chromosome number of Indian gooseberry is reported
antipyretic, adaptogenic, hepatoprotective, antitumor and to be 2n=26, however, somatic chromosome number in
antiulcerogenic, immunomodulatory, activities either in aonla to be 2n=28, while variants possessing chromosome
combined formulation or Indian gooseberry alone (Bajpai numbers from 2n=23 to 104 have also been reported in aonla.

Fig 1 A, Fruit bearing tree of aonla NA-7; B, Flower bearing determinate shoot; C, Indeterminate shoots having determinate shoots
with flowers; D, Developing fruits and E, Fully mature fruits ready for harvesting.

22
November 2019] IMPROVEMENT, PRODUCTION, DIVERSIFIED USES OF AONLA 1775

Aonla tree is characterized by phyllanthoid branching predominance of seedling propagation, India holds rich
habit with two types of shoots; determinate (short shoots) and genetic diversity in cultivated and wild relatives of aonla
indeterminate (long shoots), and the indeterminate shoots particularly in north east region which can be utilized in
are longer and continue to put new growth in the season. aonla breeding programme to infuse hardiness into the
Determinate shoots appear on the nodes of indeterminate offspring for adverse habitat (Singh et al. 2014c).The
shoots and their number at each node may vary from 3 to 5 in desirable traits for which germplasm needs to be collected
different cultivars (Bajpai and Shukla 1990, Pathak 2003) on include large fruit size, low fiber content, and resistance to
which flowering takes place in February to March. However, frost, rust, internal fruit necrosis and insect-pests (Pathak,
in south India, flowering occurs twice, in February-March 2003). In systematic germplasm characterization studies,
and June-July. Flowers are borne in the axils of the leaves aonla descriptors developed at Narendra Dev University of
on determinate shoots as axillary cymules. Basal cymules Agriculture & Technolgy, Faizabad revealed a wide range
are of male flowers followed by each nodes with a cymules of variation for different characters (Pathak et al. 1993).
of one central female flower (rarely two) and several lateral Similar results have been reported by Singh et al. (2014a),
males (Pathak et al. 2006).A typical flower consists of Hiwale (2015) and Bakshi et al. (2015) in aonla germplasm.
parianth and androecium or gynoecium. Number of parianth Conservation of aonla germplasm has been taken up in the
segments vary from 5-7 but generally 6 are common. field gene banks at various ICAR Institutes and SAUs.
Bajpai and Shukla (1990) reported male to female ratio of Systematic efforts for improvement of aonla have
307.9:1 and 197:1 in two successive years indicating marked been done through selection (Pathak et al. 2006). After
variation in the expression of sex. The female flowers open stabilization of yield data and fruit quality, one genotype
in stages and take 72 h to open completely and the stigma named BSR-1 showed higher yield potential (43.05 t/ha).
becomes receptive on the third day of anthesis and remains This genotype was recommended for commercial cultivation
receptive for another 48 h synchronizing with maturity of under irrigated and rainfed conditions of Tamil Nadu.
the embryo sac (Pathak and Pathak 1993). Anthesis of male From Anand Agricultural University, Anand developed
flower occurs between 16.00-17.00 h in Banarasi and in the varieties, viz. Anand 1, Anand 2 and Anand 3 which
Chakaiya both in morning (08.30-11.00 h) and afternoon were selected from the seedling variability available in the
(15.30-18.30 h) while dehiscence of pollen grains coincides Gujarat (Singh et al. 2014c). From diverse collections made
with the anthesis of male flower in different cultivar and at NDUAT, Faizabad, NA-4 (Kanchan), NA-5 (Krishna),
majority of pollen grains are fertile (Pathak et al. 2006). NA-6, NA-7 (Neelam), NA-9 and NA-10 showed promising
Failure of pollination and low sex ratio are thus cause of results and were later released for commercial cultivation
low fruit set and retention (Alleemullah and Ram 1990). (Pathak 2003). Laxmi-52 having bold fruit has been released
Pathak (2003) observed self incompatibility in initial studies at CISH, Lucknow. Clonal selection made from the plus
in flowering and fruit set in aonla. Number of female flowers tree found in collections done at CHES, Godhra was named
varied from 2 to 8. NA-6 had the lower sex ratio followed as Goma Aishwarya (Hiwale 2015). Among them, NA-7
by NA-7, Kanchan and Chakaiya while NA-9, Banarasi is a leading cultivar and occupied maximum area under
and Krishna showed higher sex ratio. Aonla genotypes, viz. aonla cultivation in the country (Pathak 2003, Singh et al.
Chakaiya × Francis, NA-7 × Krishna, Banarasi × NA-6 and 2014c, 2015).
Kanchan × NA-6 showed better fruit retention and are being
recommended for commercial exploitation and also indicated Biotechnology
that the cause of poor fruit set may be due to prevalence Unfortunately, conventional breeding tools could not
of self-incompatibility in some of the cultivars (Pathak and address the problems (leaf rust, wilt, anthracnose and
Srivastava, 1994, Singh et al. 1998). The cause of poor pests) due to various factors such as tiny flower size,
fruit set may be attributed to a high percentage of staminate variations in chromosome number and complex taxonomy
flowers. The initial fruit set may vary between 12 to 18 %, in addition to highly heterozygous nature of plant. Thus,
which can be enhanced through hand pollination (Bajpai genetic improvement for such traits is possible through
and Shukla 1990). Although fertilization completed within genetic engineering. In this regard, Thilaga et al. (2013)
36 h after pollination, the embryo lies dormant through have developed a simple and one step reproducible protocol
summer and start swelling with the onset of monsoon. The for induction of high frequency somatic embryogenesis
flowering period is affected less by temperature and more from in vitro derived juvenile leaf tissues of aonla, which
by day length. can be utilized for development of transgenic population
of aonla. Warude et al. (2006) developed the markers for
Genetic resources and varietal wealth identification of aonla germplasm.
Wide range of variability in aonla has been reported
particularly from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Plant propagation
Chhatishgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Seed propagation and raising of seedlings: Aonla seeds
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Himanchal Pradesh and North germinate within two weeks. Six months to one year old
Eastern region of India (Pandey et al. 2013, Singh et al. seedling is used as rootstock, and scion of desired varieties
2014c, 2016, Shukla et al. 2005, Pathak 2003). Due to are patch budded on to them during the period from May

23
1776 SINGH ET AL. [Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 89 (11)

to September for optimum success. Generally, the seed Secondary embryos from the culture raised embryos were
sown in first week of March in perforated polythene bag also formed on BMS + BAP/or 2 iP (1–4 mg/l) + sucrose
size (40×15cm) becomes ready for budding in July, which 5%. Plantlets when transferred on BMS + NAA/or IBA
saves about six months, and also helps in effective nursery (2–4 mg/l) induced roots from the cut ends. These rooted
management than conventional methods, and for better plants were placed for hardening but the mortality rate was
germination and healthy seedling, seeds should be soaked high. A few protocols for in vitro regeneration of aonla
in 500 ppm GA3 over night (Saroj et. al. 2001). from various explants such as endosperm, nodal explants,
Vegetative propagation: Among the different methods epicotyls and hypocotyls (Hai-Tao et al. 2006) have already
of vegetative propagation, patch budding showed better been reported. Previously, low frequency embryogenesis
response followed by modified ring budding. Budding has been reported in this species but reproducibility of
operation should be performed from mid May to mid such protocols was not mentioned (Menka and Usha 2006).
August for better success, which may be continued up to
September with appreciable success (Pathak et al. 2006). Agronomy, cultivation, pests and diseases
However, Saroj et al. (2001) reported more than 90% success Planting and orchard establishment: For better
through patch budding in perforated polythene bag under establishment of orchard, the pits of 1 m3(1 m × 1 m ×
irrigated hot arid ecosystem. Softwood grafting at terminal 1m size) are dug during May months at 8–10 m distance
shoot of rootstock raised in situ for a year or more has been and exposed to hot sun for about a month and then each
found sucessful. In situ patch budding is the best method pit is filled with soil thoroughly mixed with 20-25 kg Farm
of multiplication of aonla under dryland condition (Singh Yard Manure and drenched with chlorpyriphos (Singh
et al. 2014c, Singh and Singh 2014). The minimum size et al. 2014c). Healthy budded plants are planted during
of rootstocks should be 0.5 cm at the time of budding and rainy season, preferably soon after occurrence of first rain.
grafting (Saroj et al. 2001). Effect of gypsum and distillery Rootstock can also be raised in situ at appropriate distance
effluent on chemical composition of shoots and growth of (8 m × 8 m or 10 × 10 m) for budding with superior clone at
aonla budlings in pot condition have been studied under pencil thickness stage to get maximum success particularly
north Indian condition (Singh and Gaur 2002, Singh 2007). in semi-arid regions. For in situ budding, rootstock should
However, in south India, aonla propagation is being done be planted in the already prepared pit in June and after
almost 8–10 months in a year, with the aid of green and 30-45 days budding may be carried out on them in the
net house facilities (Pathak 2003). field itself (Singh et al. 2014c). For avoiding problem of
Micropropagation: For quick multiplication, self incompatibility, planting of more than two varieties is
micropropagation is an alternative tool for production of needed for proper fruit setting (Pathak et al. 2006).
planting materials in bulk. In vitro oxidative browning High density planting: Results of the study on high
and contamination are two major problems in establishing density planting systems revealed that the mean yield/plant
the cultures of aonla through shoot bud culture. Through (121.20 kg) was recorded the highest in square, but the
explants waxing around 80% success in establishment of yield/ha were recorded the maximum in double hedgerow
cultures has been noticed, but, this technique delays in vitro (284.02 q) and it was the lowest in square system (121.20
bud induction and subsequent proliferation. For maximum q). An increase in yield/ha in double hedgerow system over
bud induction, August to November months have been found square, paired, cluster, hedgerow system ranged between
to be the best season under north Indian condition in which 25.62–134.34% under semi-arid conditions, whereas an
maximum bud induction (76.4%) was achieved followed by increase in yield in double hedgerow, hedgerow, cluster and
in April-June. Slightly green and moderately hard (10–15th paired over square systems was recorded 134.34, 121.10,
nodes) shoots gave the highest in vitro bud induction and 97.51 and 53.77% purely under rainfed conditions (Singh et
proliferated profusely than soft or very hard brown nodal al. 2013b, 2014d). Among the different planting systems, the
segments as resported by Mishra and Pathak (2001). After square system exhibited better values for physical qualities,
in vitro bud induction, determinate shoots appear with leaf. whereas chemical attributes like TSS, total sugar, vitamin
However, indeterminate shoots are mandatory for further C and total phenols were observed to be highest in double
multiplication. High frequency shoot proliferation (13.33 hedgerow planting systems (Singh and Singh 2007, Singh
shoots/culture) was observed under the influence of 4.33 et al. 2007c, 2011, 2014c, 2014d).
μM GA3 + 13.9 μM Kinetin + 342.11 μM Glutamine. Irrigation management: Generally, well established
Incorporation of glutamin (342.11 μM) could solve this aonla orchards do not require irrigation in the normal rainfall
problem of in vitro leaf fall. From the study it can be and soil moisture conditions. Irrigation should be avoided
concluded that ½ MS (49.20 μM IBA + 10.74 NAA μM) during flowering period (February and March), but irrigation
proved to be better for in vitro rooting of Indian gooseberry is required after application of manures and fertilizers, if
(Mishra et al. 2006). Callus from mature embryo explants sufficient moisture is not available in the soil. Under rainfed
of aonla was raised on BMS medium supplemented with conditions, plants irrigated through drip at alternate day with
2, 4-D (1–4 mg/l + kn (0.05 mg/1) and BMS + NAA (1–4 60% wetted area recorded better growth, yield and quality of
mg/l) + kn (0.05 mg/l). In some cases the mature explants aonla, however it can be grown successfully under rainfed
directly gave rise to embryos from the cotyledons of embryo. semi-arid condition without irrigation (Singh et al. 2014c).

24
November 2019] IMPROVEMENT, PRODUCTION, DIVERSIFIED USES OF AONLA 1777

Low cast earthen dam and construction of series of check maximum in paddy straw mulch and it was recorded lowest
dams had tremendous effect on soil moisture conservation in control (76.29 kg) under rainfed conditions of hot semi-
and productivity of fruit crops under semi-arid conditions of arid ecosystem during 10th year of orchard life (Singh et al.
Gujarat (Meshram et al. 2009). The work done at NDUAT, 2008). Yield in paddy straw mulch was recorded 14.66%
Faizabad revealed that the alternate irrigation through drip more than control (Singh et al. 2014e). The quality in terms
at 0.6 CPE and mulching with paddy straw has been found of TSS (9.50°brix), total sugar (6.00%) and vitamin C (510
effective for establishment of aonla orchard in sodic soil mg/g) were recorded highest with paddy straw mulch and
(Pathak et al. 2006). the lowest in control (Singh et al. 2010).
Training, pruning and canopy management: For proper Crop diversification: Growing of cucurbitaceous
training in aonla, the main branches should be allowed to vegetable crops such as bottlegourd, spongegourd, bitter
appear at a height of 0.70 m above the ground level. The gourd, cucumber and pumpkin can be grown successfully
unwanted branches are pinched off during March-April. In in association with plantation under rainfed condition of
the subsequent years, 4–6 branches should be allowed to Gujarat. Economic analysis of aonla based cropping system
develop. Subsequent pruning consists of removal of dead, revealed that the maximum net return of ` 147312.80/and `
infested, broken, weak or overlapping branches after the 1000525.00/ may be obtained from aonla + bottlegourd and
harvest of the crop. The limb breakage in aonla cultivar aonla + pumpkin respectively, under rainfed conditions of
NA-7 has been observed at several places owing to over semi-arid ecosystem (Singh et al. 2013a, 2014c). Hiwale et
bearing and narrow angle of branches with main stem, al. (2014) reported that the aonla + okra had given net returns
hence, balanced canopy should be ensured for this variety of ` 72505/ha without any adverse effect on aonla crop.
(Pathak et al. 2006, Singh at al. 2014c). Different intercrops such as okra, bottlegourd, cauliflower,
Integrated nutrient management: The dose of manures coriander, matricaria, gladiolous and marigold can be grown
and fertilizers depend upon soil fertility, age of plant and in association with aonla plantation (Pathak et al. 2006,
production. A dose of 15 kg FYM, 100 g N, 50 g P and Singh et al. 2014c, Krishna et al. 2018). Among the fruit
100 g K should be given to one-year old aonla plants and crops, guava and karonda can be used successfully as filler
this dose of manures and fertilizers should gradually be crops in aonla orchard (Pathak et al. 2006).
increased every year up to ten years and thereafter, constant Fruit setting, fruit growth and development: In North
dose should be given (Singh et al. 2014c). Various sources India, aonla trees begin to shed their determinate shoots
of nutrients like biofertilizers (Azotobactor, Azospirillum, during February to mid- March, and new determinate
PSB, VAM,), FYM and Cakes (neem, mahua, and castor and shoots emerge at node from the margins of scars formed
groundnut cake) have also been found useful for sustainable after abscission of determinate shoot in previous season,
production of quality fruits (Singh et al. 2012a, 2012b). these begin to appear by end of the February and continue
Among the different organic sources of nutrient FYM + to appear till the first week of April on which blossom bud
Neem cake + CPP and FYM + Azotobactor + VAM were emerge, whereas after mid April bearing occurs (Pathak
found to be better in terms of increasing the soil fertility, et al. 2006). Fruit, however, grows rapidly during rainy
soil microbial and earthworm population, yield and quality season between second fortnights of August to last week of
of aonla fruits under semi-arid ecosystem of Western India September and completes almost 70% of growth during this
(Singh et al. 2014c, 2014b). Every full grown tree should period. Thus, fruit growth in aonla follows double sigmoid.
be fertilized with 1 kg N, 500 g P and 500 g K (Pathak After fertilization, embryo remains dormant for about 3-4
et al. 2006). Spray of micronutrients, viz. B, Zn and Cu months and growth development starts in the end of July
(0.4%) along with lime is helpful in reducing fruit drop and to first week of August after onset of monsoon depending
improving fruit quality (Pathak et al. 2006) upon agroclimatic conditions (Pathak et al. 2006 and Singh
Soil moisture conservation: Locally available and et al. 2014c)
easily decomposable organic materials like paddy straw, Maturity, harvesting, yield and quality attributes:
maize straw, grasses, husk, etc. were applied with 20 cm Maturity of aonla fruits can be judged externally by
thickness after rainy season which were found beneficial change in the fruit colour from greenish to whitish green
for improving the soil quality, growth and yield of NA-7 or yellowish green and change in seed colour from creamy
aonla (Singh et al. 2007a). Mulches not only conserve soil white to brown. Apart from it physiological maturity,
moisture and moderate soil temperature, but also impart mafurity can be determined on the basis of specific gravity
manifold beneficial effect on earthworm and microbial (1.07 to 1.24), fibre content, and TSS/acid ratio (5 to 6),
population, soil fertility and growth and yield of plant appearance of fibre on seed cover and turning of seed colour
(Singh et al. 2007b). Leaf litter of aonla under the canopy into brown (Pathak et al. 2006, Singh et al. 2006). Fruits
is not only an effective mulch to retain soil moisture during of NA-7, Banarasi and Agra Bold mature by last week of
summer but also improve the soil properties (Singh et al. October, while that of Kanchan and Chakaiya are ready
2014c). Organic mulches are quite effective in improving the for harvest by last week of November. Further, Anand-1
physical soil properties i.e. porocity, hydraulic conductivity and Anand-2 mature by last week of November under
and reduce ECe and ESP in tree basin (Pathak et al. 2006). semi-arid ecosystem of Gujarat (Singh et al. 2003, 2005,
Average yield per plant (87.48 kg) was recorded to be Singh et al. 2008b).

25
1778 SINGH ET AL. [Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 89 (11)

Table 1 Physico-chemical attributes of aonla varieties under rainfed semi-arid conditions.

Variety Fruit set Fruit Fruit Fruit Fruit Juice Pulp TSS Acidity Vitamin TSS/
(%) retention length width weight (%) (g) (%) (%) C (mg Acid
(%) (cm) (cm) (g) 100/g) ratio
Banarasi 36.21 18.78 3.73 3.93 33.90 41.34 31.91 10.25 2.02 334.12 5.07
Krishna 49.50 20.78 3.70 4.37 33.56 55.12 31.51 10.90 2.07 352.45 5.26
Francis 36.56 11.43 3.07 3.40 30.4 59.52 28.33 9.70 2.02 345.34 4.04
NA-7 51.95 26.40 3.62 4.00 33.76 70.45 31.79 11.50 2.05 453.20 5.60
Chakaiya 41.24 20.67 3.35 4.00 30.66 40.52 28.64 10.63 2.10 399.76 5.06
Kanchan 39.78 19.89 3.82 3.99 25.94 66.92 23.95 10.22 2.03 427.27 5.03
NA-10 40.61 20.38 3.39 3.98 31.45 64.28 29.46 10.50 2.00 421.76 5.25
Anand-1 37.88 18.98 3.10 3.45 28.53 69.25 26.48 11.30 2.05 419.45 5.51
Anand-2 37.13 18.65 3.12 3.41 26.63 65.34 24.59 10.25 2.04 414.78 5.02
CD @ (P=0.05) 3.98 1.71 0.30 0.34 2.69 4.99 2.51 0.87 0.19 35.42 0.48

Aonla trees start bearing fruits from 3rd year after loss (2.40–15 and 2.50–15.60%) and exhibit 11 days storage
budding. However, the economic bearing (commercial life (Singh and Singh 2005 ). For packaging, wooden crates
yield) commences from 5th year life of grove. The physico- of 20-25 kg capacity with polyethylene bags as liners and
chemical attributes of aonla cultivars (Table 1) have been CFB boxes (10 kg capacity) along with newspaper liner
studied under rainfed semi-arid conditions of Gujarat by are found to be most effective packing material to enhance
Singh et al. (2015, 2014c). Bakshi et al. (2015) and Bal shelf life during transportation of fruits at long distance
et al. (2009) reported considerable variability in physico- whereas for local market it is collected and transferred in
chemical attributes in aonla germplasm under different plastic crates lined with newspaper (Singh et al. 2008a).
agro-climatic conditions. Singh and Kumar (1997) stored fully mature aonla fruits at
Postharvest handling, storage and value addition: Aonla room temperature, modified storage condition, zero energy
fruits may be stored for up to 30 days on tree itself from chamber and zero energy + modified storage condition.
the date of maturity without reduction in the quality (Singh It was found that decay loss was minimum (26.56%) in
et al. 2003). The variety Chakaiya and Anand-2 exhibits modified storage condition on 24th day of storage, whereas
7 days, whereas Francis, NA-7 and Banarasi have up to 5 it was maximum (48.70%) in zero energy chamber. The
days economic life at ambient temperature after harvesting. fruits may be kept in cold storage for 7-8 days at 0-2°C
However, fruits with brine solution can be stored up to 75 and 85-90% relative humidity.
days. Fruits of NA-7, Banarasi, and Agra Bold mature by Aonla is not utilized as table fruit. Moreover, the
last week of October, while that of Kanchan and Chakaiya fruits are commercially utilized in processing industries
are ready for harvest by last week of November. Further, as murraba, candy, chatni, toffee, shreds, sauce, aonla
Anand-1 and Anand-2 mature by last week of November pulp, powder, juice, laddu, supari, sharbat etc., ayurvedic
under semi-arid ecosystem of Gujarat (Singh et al. 2003, medicines such as chwanprash, trifla, syrup, diabetic
Singh et al. 2005). Treatment with chemical and keeping powder, aonla powder and in cosmetic industries for
fruits in zero energy cool chambers has tremendous effect shampoo, hairoil, dyes etc. (Pathak et al. 2006, Singh et
in enhancing shelf life of aonla (Singh et al. 2007, 2010). al. 2014c).
Among the aonla varieties, NA-10, Krishna and Chakaiya
and Krishna have better shelf life of 10 days, retained Insect-pests, diseases and physiological disorders and
high vitamin C having glossy and green appearance and their management
NA-7 which can be stored for 6-8 days under north Indian Pests and their management: The important pests and
conditions (Singh et al. 2005). diseases and their recommended control measures which
The shelf life of aonla fruits can be enhanced by grading, are adopted for aonla are mentioned herewith. The suitable,
packaging, pre and postharvest chemical and plant hormone effective and economical IPM strategies for boosting up the
sprays. 'A' grade fruits (more than 4.00 cm diameter and production potential of the aonla crop have been developed
length) are large sized and these are used for murabba based on seasonality and their peak period of occurrence.
and candy making, B grade fruits are small sized, used for Aphids (Cerciaphis emblica), mealy bug (Nipaecoccus
chavanprash and trifla, and C grade blemished fruits are vastator), leaf twister (Caloptilia acidula), hairy caterpillar
used for powder and shampoo making (Singh and Singh (Euproctis flava), shoot gall maker (Betousa stylophora),
2005). Under hot semi-arid ecosystem of Gujarat, fruits fruit borer (Virochola isocrates, Meridarchis scyrodes) and
treated with calcium nitrate 1.5% or GA3 (50 ppm) and kept bark eating caterpillar (Inderbela terraonis Moore) are
in perforated polythene bag recorded the least physiological important insect-pests of aonla (Pathak et al. 2006, Singh
loss in weight (2.12–16.00 and 2.15–16.34%) and spoilage et al. 2014d). Orchard sanitation is effective for bark eating

26
November 2019] IMPROVEMENT, PRODUCTION, DIVERSIFIED USES OF AONLA 1779

caterpillars and borers. Foliar application with Dimethoate Naya Prokash, Bidhan Sarani, Calcutta.
(0.05%) in the evening at tri-weekly interval controls the Bakshi P, Wali V K, Jasrotia A, Sharma A and Iqbal M. 2015
overall pests effectively. However, based on the seasonality Evaluation of different aonla (Emblica officinalis) cultivars
and their sequence in occurrence, insecticidal schedules under rainfed conditions of lower shivalik foothills of Himalayas.
Indian journal of Agricultural Sciences 85(8):1012–6.
involving tri-weekly application of Dimethoate (0.05%)
Bal S, Ram S and Prasad J. 2009. Studies on variability and
alternatively followed by NSKE (5%) at 10 days interval
genetic diversity in selected aonla genotypes. Indian Journal
commencing from fruit set to fruit development has been of Horticulture 66 (4): 433–43.
found significantly better in reducing the incidence of borer Baliga M S, Meera S, Mathai B, Rai M P, Pawar V, Palatty P L.
in aonla (Patahk et al. 2006, Singh et al. 2014c). 2012. Scientific validation of the ethnomedicinal properties
Diseases and their management: Rust (Ravenaliia of the Ayurvedic drug Triphala: a review. Chinese Journal of
emblicae), anthracnose (Colletotrichum state of Glomerella Integrative Medicine 18: 946–54.
cingulata), Penicillium fruit rot (Penicillium indicum, P. Chatterjee M and Sil P C. 2007. Protective role of Phyllanthus
oxalicum, Aspergillus niger) are important diseases which niruri against nimusulide induced hepatic damage. Indian
cause heavy loss to the growers (Singh et al. 2010c). Journal of Clinical Biochemistry 22:109–16.
Spray with wettable Sulphur (02%) or Mancozeb 75 w p Hai-Tao H, Yong-Li L, Xiaohua Y. 2006. In vitro organogenesis
and plant regeneration from hypocotyl explants of Phyllanthus
(0.2%) manages the rust disease effectively at interval of
emblica. Fruit Journal 23(4): 623–6.
10-12 days in the beginning of August, while for managing
Krishna H, Saroj P L, Jatav M K and Awasthi O P. 2018. Fruit based
anthracnose disease, spray with Mancozeb 75 wp (0.2%) cropping models to Increase farmer’s income- An experience of
or Copper oxychloride 50 wp at 0.3% concentration with arid region. CIAH/ Tech./ No.70, Pub. ICAR-CIAH, Bikaner,
practices of deep ploughing and healthy cultivation are Rajasthan, India, pp 1–61.
found beneficial to control the disease. Penicillium fruit Menka S and Usha M. 2006. Rapid and efficient plant regeneration
rot is mainly a postharvest which can be controlled by in Emblica officinalis via Somatic Embryogenesis. Plant Cell
sorting out the infected fruits and destroy them. Preharvest Biotechnology and Molecular Biology 7(3-4): 123–8.
sprays (one week before harvesting) with Blitox, Bavistin Mishra M, Pati R and Chandra R. 2006. Clonal micropropagation of
or KH2PO4 and postharvest treatment with 1.5% CaCl2 Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis Gaertn). Indian Journal
and GA3 (200 ppm) also controls the disease (Singh et al. of Genetics and Plant Breeding 66(4): 359–60.
Pandey D, Pandey G and Tripathi M. 2013. Variability in aonla
2009, Singh et al. 2014c).
(Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) accessions collected from Madhya
Physiological disorders: Fruit necrosis, a physiological
Pradesh. Asian Journal of Horticulture 8(2): 706–7.
disorder, has been observed in aonla fruits, which is Pathak R K, Singh Sanjay and Saroj P L. 2006. Aonla (Emblica
associated with deficiency of boron. Incidence initiates officinalis), pp 1–20. Advances in Arid Horticulture Vol. 2.
with browning of mesocarp, which extends towards the (Eds) P L Saroj and O P Awasthi. IBD Co. Lucknow.
epicarp resulting into brownish black appearance of flesh. Pathak R K, Srivastava A K, Dwivedi R and Singh H K. 1993.
It can be controlled with three spray of borax 0.6% at 15 Aonla Descriptor. Department of Horticulture, Narendra Dev
days interval right from the early September (Pathak et al. University of Agriculture &Technology, Faizabad ( U P).
2006, Singh et al. 2014c). Cultivation of necrosis resistant Pathak R K. 2003. Status Report on Genetic Resources of Indian
varieties like NA-7, NA-6 and Chakaiya etc. have been Gooseberry-Aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) in South
suggested (Pathak et al. 2006). and Southeast Asia. IPGRI Office for South Asia National
Agriculture Science Centre (NASC) DPS Marg, Pusa Campus,
Aonla has tremendous potential for contributing
New Delhi, India, pp 1–96.
monetarily to Indian economy and therefore, needs
Saroj P L, Vshal Nath and Vashishtha V V. 2001. Effect of poly
popularization of cultivars having desirable horticultural containers on germination, seedling vigour, root characters
traits and expansion of area under arid and semi-arid and budding success in aonla. Indian Journal of Horticulture
ecosystem. Efforts should be made to utilize available 57 (4): 300–4
genetic resources through survey and collection for Scartezzini P, Antognoni F, Raggi MA, Poli F, Sabbioni C. 2006.
further improvement of this crop. Attempts are required Vitamin C content and antioxidant activity of the fruit and the
for studies related to the inheritance of specific traits. In Ayurvedic preparation of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Journal
addition to selection, other methods of crop improvement of Ethnopharmacology 104: 113–8.
like hybridization, mutation and molecular breeding Shukla Arun K, Samadia D K, Shukla Anil K, Dhandar D G. 2005.
approaches have to be employed for faster development of Genetic Resources of Aonla (Emblica of ficinalis Gaertn.).
Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resoures 18 (2): 188–93.
aonla cultivars tailor-made for specific industrial demands.
Singh A K, Singh Sanjay, Appa Rao V V, Hiwale S S, Joshi H
Intensification of research on high density planting, value
K, and Sharma S K. 2012a. Effect of organic manure and
addition and marketing avenues for quicker disposal of biofertilizers on soil properties and growth of aonla under
produce is need of the hour to increase area under aonla rainfed condition of hot semi-arid environment. Indian Journal
cultivation in the country. of Arid Horticulture 7(1-2): 45–8.
Singh A K and Gaur G S. 2002. Effect of gypsum and distillery
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29: 2313–16 Gaertn). Journal of Applied Horticulture 3(2): 103–4.

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soil. Indian Journal of Horticulture 58: 16–22. 2009. Low cost earthen dam for maximization of fruit crops
Alleemullah M and Ram S. 1990. Causes of low fruit set and production in semi-arid region. Journal of Soil and Water
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