Sirumalai Hill Banana type grown in the Sirumalai Hills is considered to be an ecotype of Virupakshi. The only difference is that in the Sirumalai type, pulp is not as dry, but is juicier to sweeter and richer in flower. Fruit attachment to the pedicel is not as strong as in Virupakshi. Crop duration 14 months.
This popular Indian banana of commercial importance is grown in the Sirumalai Hills at high altitudes ranging from 2500 to 3000 ft in Tamil Nadu. The fruits have a good shelf life and its pulp does not get spoiled even when the fruit skin turns black.
Sirumalai bananas have the characteristic flavour only when they are cultivated in higher elevation. Fruits have thick peel and ripened fruits are yellow in colour with five angles. The pedicel attachment is not very strong and the skin can easily slip away from the pulp even at fully ripened condition.
Biological classification of Hill Banana is as given below.
Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Magnoliphyta
Class : Liliopsida
Order : Zingiberales
Family : Musaceae
Genus : Musa
Species : Sapidisiaca
Like Virupakshi Hill Banana, Sirumalai Hill Banana has also been severely affected by Bunchy top, a devastating viral disease during 1980 and was on the verge of extinction. Government authorities, Tamilnadu Agricultural University, self-help groups and farmers have worked very hard to contain this virus using indigenous methodology, tissue culture techniques as well as the latest farming technology.
Sirumalai Hill Banana is of great commercial importance and belongs to the pome group genome AAB. This variety of banana is cultivated as a rainfed crop and obtains its characteristic flavour and aroma only when grown in altitudes of 2500 – 3000 feet. This is well-suited as a shade plant and often intercropped with coffee to provide shade to the young coffee trees. Some farmers grow this variety along with timber, fruit trees and pepper to supplement their income.
Sirumalai bananas are having medicinal value and liked by all age persons. The fruits are useful for clearing constipation and easy bowel movement. The fruits are having potassium content which is essential for effective functioning of nervous system in human being.
GI Tag Registration Date : 02 December 2008
GI Tag Number : 126
Certificate Number : 104
Geographical Area : Tamil Nadu
Special Cover Release Date : 13 October 2021
Cancellation : Dindigul 624 003
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : TN/27/2021
Each cover is numbered and total 2000 covers are issued.
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