Nilgiris clime highly conducive for ‘passion fruit’

Coonoor: 'Brazilian Passion Fruit' has made Nilgiris its home as the agro-climatic conditions in the hills is highly conducive for the cultivation of this fruit with distinctive taste.

Stating that Nilgiris, especially, the Coonoor slopes proved to be highly suitable for the 'Passion fruit' cultivation, Mr. Shiva Subramanian Samraj, joint director of Horticulture in Nilgiris, said that this fruit plant is a creeper. It is generally used as a border-creeper along the farm fields.

"The fruit season is perennial, though yield is more during the late summer in Nilgiris.  It is very easy to grow and maintain this plant. The juice of this fruit,, which is less sweet, is said to make up for good for diabetics. The pomological station of the horticulture department located in Coonoor, manufactures Passion fruit squash. Seedlings are also being sold there" he added.

Dr S. Rajan, a taxonomy expert, at central Ayush wing at Emerald near Ooty, said that this is fruit with yellow leathery outer surface.  The black-white pulp inside contains the berry like fruit with distinctive taste.   It is rich in Vitamin C and Potassium.  "Carotenoids and polyphenols in the yellow fruit extract is helpful in preventing iron-deficiency anemia.  It also relieves constipation, aids digestion, improves eye sight, lowers blood pressure and boosts immunity" he added.