Coorg orange, also called Coorg mandarin, is a cultivar of orange from Kodagu in Karnataka. It was given the Geographical Indication status in 2006.
Description
In the 1960s, Coorg orange was grown in land of 24,000 hectare area. In recent years the cultivation area has come down to less than 2,000 hectares.[1] Coorg orange was mainly cultivated in the districts of Kodagu, Hassan and Chikmagalur as a secondary crop in coffee plantations for more than 150 years.[2][1]
Coorg oranges are regarded as man-made hybrids of mandarins (Citrus reticulata).[3] Greenish-yellow in colour, they have a tight skin and a sweet-sour taste, unlike Nagpur oranges which are known to have loose skin and sweet taste.[1] Coorg oranges are said to have longer shelf life compared to other varieties.[4] The hilly terrain with well-drained soil and heavy rainfall in the region of cultivation are regarded as the reasons for the unique characteristics of this variety.[5]
Coorg orange cultivation has decreased in recent years due to diseases, emergence of Nagpur orange, among other factors.[6] The yield of each plant has come down to around 10kg which was once more than 50kg.[1] The average production of the fruit is over 45,000 tonnes.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 GI tag may help revive Coorg orange cultivation(22 March 2006).
- ↑ Coorg oranges out of sight at mela?. The New Indian Express(6 January 2013).
- ↑ The greenskeeper: It's orangeous, I say. Bangalore Mirror(8 February 2015).
- ↑ Reviving the famous 'Coorg mandarin'(26 January 2005).Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore
- ↑ Oranges: India ranks 64th in productivity. The Hindu Business Line(4 December 2011).
- ↑ Its Coorg oranges vs Nagpur oranges in Kodagu district. Deccan Herald(21 October 2009).
- ↑ Mangoes and grapes give K'taka farmers sweet taste of success(25 January 2016).