Abstract:
Sap of Kitul palm is obtained by tapping the inflorescence (flower) to make a
variety of products including treacle, jaggery and toddy. Kitul sap is obtained by
seasoning the inflorescence before it is open. Seasoning of flowers has three
objectives viz. tenderization of flower for easy slicing, delaying maturity to extend
longevity of sap flow and keep the flower bent downwards to facilitate collection of
sap. Kitul has a long gestation period about 10-15 years whereas its productive
period is appreciably low about five years. The total number of flowers produced
during a lifetime of a tree is in the range of 13-15. However, all the flowers could
not be tapped mainly owing to inclement weather.
Emergence of inflorescences at short intervals, quick maturing of inflorescences and
inclement weather conditions are mail! obstacles for successful seasoning of an
inflorescence as well as for production life of a Kitul tree The emergence of flowers
during rains is frequent while it is delayed in dry periods The inflorescences that
formed at short intervals become useless since all of them could not be seasoned
and tapped. As a result of maturing of an inflorescence slicing becomes difficult.
Besides, sap flow is appreciably reduced. Appearance of inflorescence in quick
succession is also caused to deplete food reserves in the pith of main trunk giving
no chance to utilize them.
Some innovative tappers have taken measures to face these natural phenomena and
overcome them by different means. The objective of the study was to examine
measures adopted by Kitul tappers to overcome emergence of inflorescences at
short intervals, delaying maturity of inflorescences and influence of rainy weather
conditions and dry spells.
