Khejri Tree (Prosopis cineraria): Where It Grows in India and How to Plant It
Prosopis cineraria
Khejri is a native tree of India's dry north-west: it stays green in the hottest months, enriches the soil and gives sangri and fodder. Where it grows in India, how to plant it, how to care for it in the first three years, and why it matters to the Bishnoi community.
Varieties
Known varieties and forms of this tree in India, how they differ and where they grow.
Released variety (1)
Thar ShobhaYield: 5.25 kg sangri + 6.85 kg loong a year (6th yr)Pod length: Tender pods 13.1-20.2 cmGrown in: Northwest arid
Also called KS-1, the first khejri variety, recommended by CIAH in 2007 for uniform, high sangri production; it is grown as bud-grafted plants.
- Thorns
- Thornless (bud-grafted plants)
- Tree shape
- Spreading growth, dense leaf
- Height
- 3.54 m at 6 years
- Pod length
- Tender pods 13.1-20.2 cm
- Yield
- 5.25 kg sangri + 6.85 kg loong a year (6th yr)
- Best for
- Uniform sangri (tender pod) production
Sources: Journal of Agriculture and Ecology (SAAER), ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner, ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner
Research selection (1)
Khejri Selection-2Yield: 5.62 kg sangri + 5.98 kg loong a year (6th yr)Pod length: Tender pods 15.32-21.81 cmGrown in: Northwest arid
A research selection: the CIAH paper says it "was identified in year 2007 from regional diversity" and "studied ex-situ at CIAH, Bikaner from 2013–2017 and it is high yielding". No released-variety notice or sapling seller was found for it.
- Thorns
- Thornless (bud-grafted plants)
- Tree shape
- Compact growth, dense leaf
- Height
- 3.81 m at 6 years
- Pod length
- Tender pods 15.32-21.81 cm
- Yield
- 5.62 kg sangri + 5.98 kg loong a year (6th yr)
Compare all varieties
| Variety | Tree shape | Height | Pod length | Yield | Thorns | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thar Shobha | Spreading growth, dense leaf | 3.54 m at 6 years | Tender pods 13.1-20.2 cm | 5.25 kg sangri + 6.85 kg loong a year (6th yr) | Thornless (bud-grafted plants) | Uniform sangri (tender pod) production |
| Khejri Selection-2 | Compact growth, dense leaf | 3.81 m at 6 years | Tender pods 15.32-21.81 cm | 5.62 kg sangri + 5.98 kg loong a year (6th yr) | Thornless (bud-grafted plants) | — |
Sources: Samadia DK, Haldhar SM et al. (2021) Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) research for horticultural harnessing and environmental services: an appraisal. J. Agric. Ecol. 12: 1-26 – Journal of Agriculture and Ecology (SAAER); ICAR-CIAH research achievements: varieties released by CIAH – ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner; खेजड़ी के पौधों के विक्रय संबंधी सूचना (Khejri Thar Shobha plant sale notice, July 2026) – ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner
This article was prepared with AI assistance. Please check important details against the sources shown in each section.
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