The Bael fruit is also known as Shriphal. It holds religious significance, being referred to as Sadaphal, Bilva, Shailpatra, and Lakshmiputra. In Hinduism, the bael plant is considered highly sacred. It is believed that Lord Shiva resides in its roots. Consequently, its bael leaves are offered to Lord Shiva. The bael fruit is also utilized for medicinal purposes. During summers, the leaves of the bael shed, facilitating its growth in dry and semi-dry climates.
Bael cultivation is widespread across India. Its branches are thorny and can reach heights of 25 to 30 feet. The inner flesh of the bael is juiced and consumed. Upon ripening, its fruits turn yellow and develop a tough exterior, hence the name "stony fruit." Bael plants are propagated in nurseries through cuttings or seeds. To propagate through cuttings, seeds are promptly sown in fields after extraction from the fruits. After one and a half to two years, they are transformed into plants through grafting techniques. Commercially, the dibbling method is employed for cultivation. With this approach, plants are ready for transplanting within one to one and a half months. Farmers may also acquire plants from nurseries for field planting, ensuring they are one year old, well-established, and free from diseases.
To plant bael seedlings, the fields are readied by digging furrows and setting them up. Before creating the furrows, the field should be plowed deeply with plows, then left exposed for a few days to ensure proper penetration of the sun's intense heat. The field should be cultivated using a cultivator. Subsequently, water should be applied, and once the soil begins to dry, it should be cultivated with a rotavator. This method ensures that the field is properly prepared.
Bael plants require moderate temperatures during their initial growth stage. Once fully matured, they can thrive in a wide range of temperatures. These plants can endure maximum temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures of 0 degrees Celsius, with optimal growth typically occurring around 30 degrees Celsius.
Dry to semi-arid climates are conducive to bael cultivation, with plants exhibiting improved growth when exposed to ample sunlight. Bael can be cultivated in both cold and warm seasons and have relatively low water requirements.
Bael cultivation is viable in various soil types, including rocky, barren, hard, and sandy soils. Ideally, the soil pH should fall between 5 and 8 for successful growth. Adequate drainage is crucial for optimal plant development.
Narendra Bael 5 - This bael variety features shorter plants with a more sprawling growth habit. On average, each plant yields around 70 to 80 kilograms of produce. The fruits of this variety have slight ridges and are of standard size. The number of seeds inside the fruit's cavity is relatively low.
Benefits and Significance of Bael Cultivation: Bael provide a plethora of health benefits. They are effective for treating various conditions such as diarrhea, diabetes, rheumatism, leukorrhea, and respiratory congestion. Due to their cooling properties, bael are highly valued for preparing preserves and beverages. In the summertime, bael sherbet is especially popular in markets. Additionally, their bark, leaves, and roots are used for medicinal purposes. In Hinduism, the bael leaf or plant is revered as highly sacred and is offered to Lord Shiva, underscoring its profound significance.
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Harvesting, Yield, and Income from Bael Farming: Bael plants begin to yield produce after about 7 years. When the fruits start showing a light yellowish-green color, they should be harvested. After harvesting, the fruits can be collected and sold in the market by arranging them in baskets. Approximately 40-50 kilograms of produce can be obtained from a single bael plant. The vacant space between bael plants can be utilized to grow crops such as papaya, which mature quickly, enabling farmers to obtain additional yields in a shorter time. This allows farmers to obtain additional income and cultivate more crops in less time. Bael also fetch a good price in the market, enabling farmers to earn substantial profits from their cultivation.
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