Sapota( Chikoo) Grafted plant

Sapota Plant also called Chikoo in India.It is a delicious tropical fruit tree that produces sweet, brown, caramel-flavored fruits. evergreen tree widely grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and other warm regions.

General Information

• Scientific name: Manilkara zapota

• Common names: Sapota, Chikoo, Naseberry, Sapodilla

• Family: Sapotaceae

• Origin: Southern Mexico, Central America; now widely grown in India and Southeast Asia

• Type: Evergreen fruit tree

• Height: 30–60 ft tall (but can be pruned smaller for gardens)

• Leaves: Shiny, dark green, oblong

• Flowers: Small, white, bell-shaped; appear year-round

• Fruit: Round to oval, rough brown skin, with sweet, grainy, caramel-flavored pulp and black shiny seeds

• Taste: Very sweet, malty, with a caramel or brown sugar flavor

• Texture: Soft, grainy flesh when ripe

• Nutrition: Rich in natural sugars, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and antioxidants

• Season: In India, mainly harvested January–May and September–November (but fruits multiple times a year)

 Growing Conditions

• Sun Light: Requires full sun for good growth and fruiting

• Soil: Prefers well-draining sandy loam, but grows in many soil types; tolerates slightly saline soil

• Water: Young plants need regular watering; mature trees are drought-tolerant

 Care & Maintenance

• Fertilizer: Apply compost 

• Pruning: Trim to shape the canopy and remove dead/diseased branches; can be kept small for home gardens

Fertilizer

• Young plants (1–3 years): More nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage vegetative growth.

• Mature, fruit-bearing trees: Balanced NPK with more phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to support flowering, fruit set, and sweetness.

  • Example formulas: 10:26:26 or 15:15:15 depending on soil.

• Organic options: Well-rotted farmyard manure (FYM), compost, neem cake, bone meal, vermicompost.

 Uses

• Fresh eating: Ripe fruits eaten raw, peeled and deseeded

• Desserts: Used in milkshakes, ice creams, jams, and smoothies

• Medicinal (Ayurveda):

  • Aids digestion

  • High fiber helps in constipation

  • Good energy source for children and athletes