Eagle marmelos (Bael): Introduction,identification and Bonanza aspect

Introduction:
Also known as bva , srifal ,golden Apple ;wood apple or stone apple.It is medium sized slow growing subtropical tree which bears hard fruit with peciular quality.Mainly grows in wild dry forest of south eastern part of Asia.Bael fruit is highly known for the organoleptic quality with include three factors as :pulp ,mucilage,fibre,peel.

Botanical description :
Deciduous shurb;small to medium size tree up to 12.5m tall with slender drooping branches along with irregular crown along with pale grayish finely flasking bark and long straight spine.
Gum is also present exudes from wounded branches.Trifoliate alternate ovate with tapering or pointed tip and rounded base leaf are present.pale green yellowish bisexual,unbranched clusters at the end of twings and leaf axis. Fruit is globose or slightly pear -shaped with thick ,hard rind which doesn’t split upon ripening.

Origin/history:
It appears to have evolved in South eastern part of Asia i.e . In India as back 800 BC. In dry forest on hills and plains.

Area of distribution:
The most valuable Bae plant growing countries are India;Indonesia;srilanka;Bangladesh and Nepal.Fruit of Bael plant mainly grows in wild dry forest are nowadays mainly obtained from 5.78 milion ha area accounting for 10% of world production.

Climatic requirement :
It require the condition where summer is hot and winter is mild.Good sandy loam soil ,sunny situation ,warm ,humid and dry climate are suitable for the cultivation. Plant can survive a wide range of temperature i.e. 20-120F.

Seed sowing and plantation:
It is mainly propagated through seed sowing doni in June or July.Devrlopment of seedling is some how slow and at least it take an year in nursery to be fit for transplanting.Transplanting can be done with spacing of 10-12m.plant start bearing the fruits at the age of 4-5 year of transplantation.

The various varieties of bael found on Nepal are chronicle as below as:
-Goma yashi
-pant Sujata
-pant arpana
-urvashi

Improvement :
Improvement in terms of high productivity per area quality in terms of edible portion ;taste ;shape is required for maximum yield.Raised through seedling can lead to great variability in terms of morphological characters,bearing behaviour ,size and shape of fruit.strategies emanating out of advances made in plant biotechnology include embryo rescue ,soma clonal variation ,protoplasm fusion ,etc.

Chemical composition:
Chemical composition viz.alkaloids ;steroids;coumarins;etc. Have been isolated and identified from different parts of plant.A yellow dye is extracted from rind of unripe fruit.The alkaloid agelin are present in the leaves use for medicine manufacture.

Socio-economic consideration waste land utilization:
Bael can endure unfavourable climatic condition and thus it is suitable for rehabilition of various waste lands.Thus by Thier growing dry lands,wartelands,infertile soil can be made productive for producing additional food and nutritional security to poor and marginal farmers.

Medicinal importance:
Major part of bael tree is fruit which is popular for its anti-oxidant, anti inflammatory and laxative properties. Fruit consist of various nutrients like beta_ carotene,protein,riboflavin,vitamins along with some minerals.It naturally fights with viral , bacterial infections,can reduce and give releife from constipation ,diarrhoea ,ulcers,piles and respiratory problem.Medicine can be extracted from root,leaf,branch and unripene fruit.Even the juice of bael fruit act as instant body cooler.

Economic importance for Nepal :
Gum can be extracted,eesential oil can be obtained, medicine can be made ,even juice factory can be establish which not only provide employment but can also generate income.

As in present context of Nepal a small scale juice industry is running in pokhara where about 14-15 women are able to get employment opportunity not only that it also ensure the health of consumer which the good ascept for the country progress.

Side effect:
Overuse of Bel fruit may cause stomach upset.

Conclusion:
Wholesome in contex of Nepal this plant somehow remains as undivulged for common people like us however it hold neant feature .If we somehow become able to know the various aspect this plant will goona held some how country economy .

Writer: Samjhana Khanal (Student, Bsc. Ag 1st-semester IAAS Paklihawa Campus)