Abstract
Mahua, botanically known as Bassia latifolia Roxb., is an economically multipurpose tree. Its flowers, fruits, and oil are used in various ways. The flowers are used for the preparation of distilled liquor and as feed for livestock. The seed is a good source of oil. A wide range of variability occurs in nature with regard to fruit size and quality owing to its seed propagation, which needs to be conserved and exploited. In recent years, there is considerable awareness about nutritional security and food safety. Mahua, a characteristic tree of the dry region, is found in almost all parts of India growing in the forests. It is a multipurpose tree of which every part is used even today by the tribals of India. Its flowers are used in extracting liquor for ages. The dry flowers are a big business. Its seeds are used for extraction of oil which is edible and is used for lighting lamps. Its wood is used in house construction as well as fuelwood and preparation of agricultural implements.
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Hiwale, S. (2015). Mahua (Bassia latifolia Roxb.). In: Sustainable Horticulture in Semiarid Dry Lands. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2244-6_18
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2244-6_18
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