Bangladesh is the motherland of fruits. Different kinds of fruits grow in plenty in different seasons. Jackfruit (Kathal) is the most important And National Fruit of Bangladesh. It is a very popular fruit in South and Southeast Asia and widely cultivated in tropical regions of Bangladesh. It is one of the largest fruits to grow on trees in the world, and a Jackfruit Tree can live and bear fruit for approximately a hundred years if taken care of correctly.

Jackfruit

The jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family. Its origin is in the region between the Western Ghats of southern India and the rainforests of Malaysia. Scientists believed that jackfruit trees were planted in Hawaii even before 1888. The archaeologists have estimated that Bangladesh National Fruit jackfruit has been growing in India for between 3000 to 6000 years.

A study on jackfruit of Bangladesh at BAU showed that there is wide variability in fruit characters among the jackfruit types. A Jackfruit Tree can bear an average of 150 pieces of fruit each year but some of the more exotic jackfruit tree species are known to produce as many as 250 to 500 pieces. It bears the largest fruit of all trees, reaching as much as 55 kg (120 pounds) in weight, 90 cm (35 inches) in length, and 50 cm (20 inches) in diameter.

BAU has established an orchard of 84 jackfruit germplasm, of which 45 were studied in detail and 21 germplasm were identified as superior ones. Generally, Bangladesh jackfruits are of three types namely i) Khaja-hard pericarb, ii) Gala- the pulp is very juicy and soft and iii) Dorosa an intermediate one, the pulp of which is fairly firm and juicy.

Jackfruit has an impressive nutrition profile. It contains a moderate amount of calories and rich in several types of antioxidants. The fruit provides 155 calories in a one-cup (165-gram) serving. Approximately 92% of the calories come from carbs, while the rest come from protein and a small amount of fat. Furthermore, jackfruit contains some of almost every vitamin and mineral that you need, as well as a decent amount of fiber.

Facts About Jackfruit

Common Name: jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Moraceae
Native Range: India
Zone: 10 to 12
Height: 30.00 to 70.00 feet
Spread: 20.00 to 50.00 feet
Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
Bloom Description: Green
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Evergreen
Fruit: Showy, Edible
Other: Winter Interest

The multiple fruit or syncarp as it is known technically consists of a greatly enlarged fleshy peduncle and numerous carpels that have fused together, with the exterior covered by a more or less thick rind. The juicy pulp and the pericarp around the large seeds are the edible portions. The jackfruit flowers in December-March and fruit ripens in May-August.