• Scientific name: Citrus maxima
• Family: Rutaceae
• Local name: Chakkota
• Official GI name: Devanahalli Pomello (Chakkota)
• Origin/region: Devanahalli taluk, Bengaluru Rural district, Karnataka.
• It is an exotic crop variety grown exclusively around Devanahalli.
• GI protection: Registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999.
• GI Application No.: 131
• GI Class: 31 – Horticulture
• Known for strong market demand, sweet taste and superior flavour.

Important Characteristics

• Fruit colour: Greenish-yellow outer skin.
• Pulp: Pink or red, juicy.
• Taste: Sweet and sour.
• Fruit shapes may be:
  • Globular
  • Egg-shaped
  • Pear-shaped
• Fruit size: 10–30 cm wide.
• Typical fruit weight: 2–2.5 kg; can reach up to 10 kg.
• Mature fruit generally has 8–10 seeds.
• Rich in Vitamin C and beta-carotene.
• Shelf life: 45–60 days.
• Segments are easy to remove.

Growing Conditions

• Climate: Cool with moderate humidity.
• Soil: Generally red soil containing gravel, loam and clay.
• Important soil feature: High drainage.
• Annual rainfall: 300–807 mm.

Propagation & Production

• Propagated through:
  • Cuttings
  • Grafting
  • Air layering
• Flowering occurs twice a year:
  • December–January
  • June–July
• Fruits take about 11 months to mature.
• Average yield: 300–400 fruits/tree/year.
• Nursery grafting takes about 3 months.

Conservation

• The variety faced a threat of near extinction due to land acquisition and construction of Bengaluru International Airport.
• Old plants were identified and propagated to conserve the variety.
• Department of Horticulture collected germplasm for conservation.
• A conservation biocentre at Hulimavu was established to help distribute plants to farmers.
• There are now fewer than 100 farmers involved in cultivation, according to the provided source.

Uses

• Consumed fresh/directly.
• Used for:
  • Desserts
  • Jellies
• Pomelo peel is used in:
  • Cosmetics
  • Ayurvedic medicines

⭐ Exam Quick Revision

• Devanahalli Pomelo → Chakkota
• Scientific name → Citrus maxima
• Family → Rutaceae
• District → Bengaluru Rural
• Main region → Devanahalli
• GI Application No. → 131
• GI Class → 31
• Pulp → Pink/Red
• Taste → Sweet & sour
• Shelf life → 45–60 days
• Yield → 300–400 fruits/tree
• Flowering → Dec–Jan & June–July
• Fruit weight → 2–2.5 kg normally; up to 10 kg