Jackfruit - Nongadak
Artocarpus heterophyllus 'Nongadak'
Common Names: Nongadak Jackfruit, Meghalaya Jackfruit
Local Name: Nongadak (Khasi), Kathal (Hindi/Assamese)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Meghalaya, Northeast India (indigenous selection from Garo and Khasi Hills)
Plant Type: Perennial evergreen tree
Variety: Nongadak — Meghalaya selection with small to medium fruits, intensely sweet and aromatic bulbs
Average Lifespan: 60–100+ years
🌿 Botanical Description
| Growth Habit | Medium to large evergreen tree; vigorous growth in humid hill conditions |
| Plant Size | 10–18 meters tall; canopy spread 8–12 meters |
| Leaves | Alternate, elliptic, 10–22 cm, dark green, leathery, glossy |
| Flowers | Monoecious; cauliflorous inflorescences on trunk and main branches |
| Flower Characteristics | Male spikes cylindrical; female spikes barrel-shaped; borne on older wood |
| Fruit | Small to medium, 5–12 kg; round to oblong; very sweet, aromatic, firm bulbs with minimal latex |
| Fruit Color | Green rind with short spines; bright golden-yellow to orange bulbs |
| Seed Characteristics | Medium oval seeds; edible when cooked; fewer seeds per fruit |
| Root System | Deep taproot with lateral roots; adapted to hilly terrain |
☀ Growing Conditions
| Climate | Subtropical to tropical; adapted to high-rainfall hill regions |
| Temperature Range | 20–32°C ideal; tolerates cooler nights of hill stations |
| Rainfall Requirement | 2000–4000 mm annually (Meghalaya is one of the wettest regions) |
| Soil Type | Well-drained acidic laterite or red loamy soil; hill slopes preferred |
| Soil pH Preference | 5.0–6.5 (adapted to acidic soils) |
| Sun Requirement | Full sun to partial shade (6+ hours daily) |
| Spacing | 8–10 meters between trees |
| Irrigation Method | Rainfed in Meghalaya; supplemental irrigation in drier regions |
| Water Requirement | Moderate; naturally receives abundant rainfall in native habitat |
| Can it Grow in Pots? | Young trees only; requires ground planting for fruiting |
🌾 Cultivation & Care
| Fertilizer Schedule | 2–3 times per year; organic inputs preferred in traditional cultivation |
| Recommended Organic Fertilizers | FYM, compost, leaf mold, wood ash, bone meal |
| Pesticide Frequency | Minimal; traditional cultivation uses few chemicals |
| Recommended Organic Pesticides | Neem oil, wood ash spray, tobacco decoction (traditional) |
| Mulching Practice | Natural leaf litter mulch; forest floor mimicry |
| Training System | Natural form; minimal training in traditional orchards |
| Pruning Time | After harvest (September–October) |
| How to Prune | Remove dead and diseased branches; light thinning for air circulation |
| Common Pests | Shoot borer, fruit borer, mealybug, bark caterpillar |
| Common Diseases | Rhizopus rot, leaf spot, pink disease (exacerbated by high humidity) |
| Disease Prevention & Remedies | Good drainage on slopes, sanitation, copper fungicides, remove infected material |
🌸 Flowering & Fruiting
| Flowering Months | January–March |
| Fruiting Season | May–August; peak during monsoon season |
| Days to Harvest | 100–140 days from pollination |
| Harvest Indicators | Hollow sound when tapped, sweet aroma, spines flatten, skin lightens |
| Average Yield per Plant | 80–150 fruits per tree per year (mature tree) |
| Pollination Type | Wind and insect pollination |
| Pollination Notes | Monoecious; wind is primary pollinator; good natural fruit set in humid conditions |
🌱 Pollination & Propagation
| Pollination Details | Wind-pollinated; high humidity aids pollen dispersal |
| Propagation by Seeds | Traditional method in Meghalaya; seedlings show variability |
| Propagation by Cuttings | Air layering possible; used by progressive farmers |
| Propagation by Grafting | Softwood grafting recommended to maintain Nongadak quality traits |
💧 Environmental Impact & Sustainability
| Water Usage | Low (rainfed); naturally sustained by high rainfall |
| Soil Conservation Practices | Grown on hill slopes; root system prevents erosion; part of agroforestry systems |
| Organic Practices Used | Traditionally organic; minimal external inputs |
| Companion Plants | Betel nut, black pepper, turmeric, ginger in mixed orchards |
| Biodiversity Benefits | Part of diverse agroforestry; habitat for birds, insects, and small mammals |
💰 Economic Importance
| Commercial Production Regions | Meghalaya (Garo Hills, Khasi Hills), Assam, Tripura, Nagaland |
| Market Uses | Fresh fruit, local markets, tribal festivals; growing demand outside Northeast |
| Processing Uses | Dried jackfruit, chips, traditional preserves, wine (local) |
| Market Value (Approx.) | ₹40–120 per kg; premium for Nongadak variety in specialty markets |
🌿 Cultural Significance
| Symbolism | Important food tree in Khasi and Garo tribal culture; part of traditional agroforestry |
| Traditional Uses | Fruit in tribal cuisine; wood for construction; seeds as staple food; bark for traditional dyes |
🍈 Nutritional Information
| Calories | 95 kcal per 100g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g per 100g |
| Vitamin C | 13.7 mg per 100g |
| Vitamin A | 110 IU per 100g |
| Iron | 0.23 mg per 100g |
| Potassium | 448 mg per 100g |
| Antioxidants | Carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds |
| Other Key Nutrients | Thiamine, riboflavin, magnesium, manganese |
🌿 Medicinal Uses
| Anxiety & Sleep | Not a primary medicinal use |
| Immune Support | Vitamin C and antioxidants support immune function |
| Anti-inflammatory Properties | Phenolic compounds show anti-inflammatory effects |
| Heart Health | Potassium supports cardiovascular health |
| Digestive Health | Fiber aids digestion; seeds used in tribal medicine for digestive ailments |
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice.
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