PHALSA

Botanical name: Grewia asiatica L.

Family: Malvaceae
Origin: It is native to India and other countries like Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia
and Thailand. It was introduced into the Philippines before 1914 and also naturalized in
Australia.
Botany (Morphology): Phalsa is an exotic bush or small tree, usually 10 to 15 feet (3m-4.5 m)
tall. The wood of the tree is strong and elastic It has long, slender, drooping branches. The
young branches are densely coated with hairs. The leaves are alternate, deciduous and widely
spaced. These are broadly heart-shaped, pointed at the apex and oblique at the base. The
leaves are up to 8 inch (20 cm) long and 6 1/2 inch (16.25 cm) wide.
Flower is in the form of inflorescence, borne in dense cymes in the leaf axils. It is small and
orange yellow in colour. The individual flower is about 2 cm in diameter, with five large (12
mm) sepals and five smaller (4–5 mm) petals.
The fruit is small and round and is produced on 1inch (2.5 cm) peduncles, in great number in
open, branched clusters. Largest fruit is 1/2 to 5/8 inch (1.25-1.6 cm) in diameter. It is very
delicate and easily perishable.
The skin of the fruit turns from green to purplish-red (resembling blueberries) and finally dark
purple or nearly black. It is covered with a thin, whitish bloom which is soft and tender. Large
fruits have 2 hemispherical, hard, buff colored seeds 3/16 inch (5 mm) wide. Small fruits are
single-seeded.
Bloom Time: The blooming time is late spring / early summer. The fruiting period is April-
June.
Varieties:
There are two types of phalsa
1. Bush Phalsa (Grewia subinaequalis)
2. Tree Phalsa (Grevia asiatica L.)
The tall-growing wild varieties bear acid fruits which are not appreciated, while the dwarf,
shrubby type, with a blend of sweet-and-acid is best fruit and is cultivated. There are two
main species of Phalsa, distinguished by the following differences:
Grewia (Grewia asiatica) has large and very broad leaves (10-18 cm long and 9-14 cm wide)
and flowers with small yellow or reddish coloured petals (3-10 mm long). Its fruit is normally
born singly and turn purplish-black or dark brown when mature.
Dog's balls (Grewia latifolia) has moderately large and relatively broad leaves (7-11 cm long
and 2-8 cm wide) and flowers with very small yellow petals (3-4 mm long). Its fruit is norma
lly born in pairs and turn brown when mature.
Soil: Phalsa can be grown on a wide range of soils, (including fine sand, clay or even
limestone) even those which are moderately alkaline. But soil fertility must not be very poor.
Rich loamy soil improves fruit production. Suitable soil pH is 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic).
Climate: Phalsa is the fruit of tropical countries but it grows both in tropical and subtropical
climates. However, is does best in regions having distinct summer and winter seasons, In
Asian countries, it grows well up to an elevation of 3,000 ft (914 m). Adequate sunlight and
warm or hot temperatures are required for fruit ripening, development of appropriate fruit
colour, and good edible quality. The temperature should be as high as 44 C.
Fertilization:
General garden fertilizer (10-30-10) should be applied to the planting beds at 3 months
interval and to the container plants with one month interval. . The plant shows good
vegetative response to applications of nitrogen, high level of phosphorus increases sugar
content, while potassium decreases sugar and elevates acidity. Spray of 10 ppm Gibberellic
acid increase fruitset. At 40 ppm, there is increased fruit size but decreased fruit-set. Fertilizer
application although casual, helps in plant health and production.
Propagation: Propagation is done through
Seed: Direct sow after last frost and they germinate in 15 days. Seedlings produce the first
crop of well evolved fruits 12 to 15 months from planting.

Semi-Hardwood cuttings: Treating the cuttings with auxins (IAA, IBA, NAA) improve
rooting of difficult-to-root hardwood cuttings It is cross pollinated plant and honey bees play
the major role in it.
Medicinal and Other Benefits of Falsa Tree:
1. Fresh leaves are used as cattle fodder.
2. Its branches are used to make baskets for transporting vegetables and fruits.
3. The wood is used to make archer’s bow, spears, handles, poles etc.
4. Its bark is used to make ropes. Also due to its clarifying effect, the mucilage extracted
from the bark by pounding it in water is used to make brown sugar from sugarcane
juice.
5. The extract of the bark helps to treat pain, diarrhea, rheumatism, and arthritis.
6. The bark also relieves vaginal burning and other urinary troubles.
 7. Its leaves have an antibiotic effect and relieve skin inflammations, such as, cuts,
burning, eczema, boils and skin eruptions. Soak the leaves in water overnight and
make a paste. Apply the paste on affected area of skin.
8. The oil produced from the seeds helps in the treatment of reproductive disorders and
fertility problems.
Pests & Diseases:
Leaf spot disease It is a fungal disease caused by Cercospora grewiae. Tiny brown lesions
appear on both sides of the affected leaves and cause premature leaf fall particularly during
rainy season. It can be controlled by spraying Dithane Z- 78 at 0.3%concentration or Blitox
0.2% concentration.
Mealy bug (Drosicha mangifera): Mango mealy bug has been reported to cause severe
damage to phalsa by seriously affecting the fruit setting. It can be controlled by spraying with
0.04% Diazinon or Monocrotophos.
Bark eating caterpillar (lnderbela tetraonis): It is a polyphagous pest which damages the plant
by making tunnels in the main branches or trunk. The affected plant part dries after
sometime. It is usually found in neglected orchards. This pest can easily be controlled by
injecting kerosene oil or petrol in the holes by plugging the mouth with mud. This operation
can be performed once in a year at prurnng time.
Leaf eating caterpillar (Euprdctis fraterna): These caterpillars feed gregariously on leaf lamina
and skeletonizing it completely. In case of severe infestation entire tree may be defoliated.
To control, spray with Carbaryl and Endrin (0.1%).
Production And Yield:
The annual yield of phalsa is 3-5 kg/plant or 4.5-6 t/ha. Fruit production increases by spraying
gibberallic acid at full bloom And 2nd spraying is done after 15 days.