Green page: Article This column covers information on the introduction and cultivation practices of new, under-utilized and other economic plants in India. The information shall be contributed articles by authors or compiled by editors. Contribution of articles by plant growers, agronomists, horticulturists and floriculturists with cultural practices, seed source and economics are solicited. Alligator Apple – A lesser-known multipurpose plant D R Singh*, S Senani, R P Medhi and R B Rai Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI) Post Box No.181, Port Blair-744101, Andaman and Nicobar, India *Correspondent author, E-mail:
[email protected] Received 15 October 2004; Revised 23 December 2004 Abstract are attracted to sweet smelling fruit; it is not liked by man. However, it is a good Alligator apple (Annona glabra Linn.) is a lesser-known plant having various useful source of seeds which are rich in fats and properties. The paper deals with its cultivation prospects, nutritional composition of seeds and fiber. Seeds yield 25.35% ether soluble potential uses of seed oil as biodiesel. fraction and cotyledons 43 % fats2. Keywords: Alligator apple, Fatty acid, Bio-diesel. IPC Code; Int. cl.7— A01G 1/00, A01G 17/00, C11B 1/00 Tree characteristics Introduction Hort. and A. muricata Linn. Alligator Alligator apple tree is generally aple was spotted opposite Murgan Temple measuring 3-8 m in height. Bark is There have been many wild, on east bank of Dilthaman tank in swamps cracked brown with pale lenticels. Roots inedible but still edible fruit yielding in Port Blair at 11º36’51.2 N latitude and have thick corky pith.