Project No. : RAJ-05/2007-08
Year. : 2007-08
Project Title: Intensification of research on Bael with special reference to medicinal value
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Principal Investigator & Organization : Dr. S.K. Sharma, Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Sri Ganganagar Highway, Beechwal Ind. Area P.O., Bikaner - 334 006
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Summary of Project / Major Outcome /Achievements : A total of 278 accessions of Aegle marmelos (Bael) were collected through the survey, 59 samples from Rajasthan and Gujarat, 95 from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, 26 from Madhya Pradesh, 28 from Jharkhand, 37 from West Bengal, 17 from Orissa and 16 from Chhattisgarh. Morphological and biochemical data revealed a wide variability. Elite germplasms are being conserved at CIAH, Bikaner, CHES, Godhra, HARP, Ranchi and CISH, Lucknow. The attempts for Plant production through vegetative means, seeds sowing, budding/grafting and micro-propagation. It was observed that maximum per cent survival (90%) was achieved when the culture medium was supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP and 0.5 or 1.0 mg/l kinetin. Maximum number of shoots (4.7) was recorded with supplementation of culture medium with 2.0 mg/l BAP and 1.0 mg/l kinetin. For development of models for high density plantation, seedlings were planted at a distance of 1.0 m x 1.0m, 1.5 m x 1.5 m and 2.0 m x 2.0 m spacing. Results revealed that spacing 1m x 1 m is good for biomass production up to 3 years. The protocol for estimation of marmelosin and psoralen was standardized in Bael samples using HPLC. The qualification of total alkaloid and phenolics were also undertaken and it was observed that the content of all metabolites differ significantly from region to region. For post-harvest storage studies the fruits were stored either at room temperature or at 4-5 C and found that fruits can be stored at low temperature upto 30 days. Pulp can be stored upto 35 days after harvest under 4-5 C. The pulp can be stored up to 2 months at 4 C since parameters such as TSS, acidity and ascorbic acid content are maintained at this storage environment. To popularize the Bael under semi and conditions, Bael day was also organized for community mobilization.
