1. Fruits & Nuts, Important of Fruit Crops
and their Commercial Importance
Dr.
By
Dr. Thirunahari Ugandhar
Associate Prof of Botany
Department of Botany
Kakatiya Govt College (A) Hanamkonda
2. Fruits
In botanical terms, a fruit is the mature ovary
of a flowering plant, often containing seeds.
Fruits develop from the fertilized ovary after
flowering, and their primary role is to protect
the seeds and aid in their dispersal.
Fruits come in many varieties, such as fleshy
(like apples and berries) and dry (like beans
and grains).
They are often rich in sugars, fiber, and
vitamins, making them a significant part of
the human diet.
3. Nuts
A nut is a fruit with a hard, inedible outer
shell that encases a single seed, which is
usually edible.
Botanically, tree nuts (like acorns and
chestnuts) do not split open at maturity to
release their seed.
However, in culinary contexts, several seeds
and fruits (like almonds, peanuts, and
cashews) are often considered nuts due to
their similar uses and characteristics, even
though they are not true botanical nuts.
4. Fruits can be classified into several types based on their botanical structure
and development:
1. Simple Fruits Develop from a single ovary of a single flower. Types:
Fleshy Fruits: These fruits have a soft, edible pericarp. Berry: Entire
pericarp is soft and often juicy (e.g., tomato, grape).
Drupe: This type of plant contains a hard stone or pit enclosing the seed
(e.g., peach, cherry, olive).
Pome: Has a fleshy outer layer with a core that contains seeds (e.g., apple,
pear).
Pepo: Has a thick rind (e.g., cucumber, watermelon).
Hesperidium: Has a leathery rind with juicy segments (e.g., citrus fruits like
oranges and lemons).
Dry Fruits: These fruits have a dry pericarp at maturity. Dehiscent: Open on
their own to release seeds.
Legume: Opens along two seams (e.g., beans, peas).
Capsule: Opens by various methods (e.g., poppy).Indehiscent: Do not open
at maturity.
Achene: Contains a single seed loosely attached (e.g., sunflower).Nut: Has a
hard shell surrounding the seed (e.g., acorn, chestnut).
5. 2. Aggregate Fruits Develop from multiple ovaries of
a single flower. Examples: Strawberry, blackberry,
raspberry.
3. Multiple Fruits Form from the fusion of ovaries
from multiple flowers in an inflorescence.
Examples: Pineapple, mulberry, fig.
4. Accessory Fruits Involve other parts of the
flower, such as the receptacle, and the ovary.
Examples: Apple (pome), strawberry (aggregate fruit
with fleshy receptacle). Each type has unique
characteristics, influencing its texture, taste, and
usage in food and culinary applications.
14. Nuts can be classified into two main categories: true
botanical nuts and culinary nuts.
In botany, a true nut is a specific type of fruit, while in
culinary terms, several seeds and drupes are also
considered nuts due to their similar characteristics and
uses.
1. True Botanical Nuts True nuts are hard, indehiscent
fruits that do not split open at maturity to release
seeds. They have a single seed encased in a tough shell.
Examples: Acorn (Oaktree): Encased in a hard shell with
a cup-like cap. Chestnut: Has a spiny outer covering
(burr) that opens to reveal a single nut.
Hazelnut: Enclosed in a smooth, hard shell surrounded
by a leafy husk. Beechnut: Small, triangular nut found
in a burr with soft spines.
15. 2. Culinary Nuts (Not True Botanical Nuts)Many seeds, drupes,
and legumes are commonly referred to as nuts in cooking
because of their texture, taste, and nutritional properties.
Examples: Almond: The edible seed of a drupe (related to
peaches).
Walnut: The seed of a drupe with a hard, woody shell.
Pecan: A type of drupe related to the walnut.
Cashew: The seed of a drupe that grows outside a fleshy fruit.
Brazil Nut: The seed of a large capsule fruit from a South
American tree.
Pine Nut: Edible seeds from certain pine trees. Macadamia Nut: A
hard-shelled seed, often considered a culinary nut.
3. Legumes Considered Nuts These are seeds from legume plants,
but they're often used like nuts in culinary contexts. Examples:
Peanut: Botanically a legume, but it grows underground and is
commonly classified as a nut in cooking. Soy Nut: Roasted
soybean seeds are sometimes used as a nut substitute.
16. 4. Drupaceous Nuts These are seeds from drupes
that resemble nuts.
Examples: Coconut: A large drupe with a fibrous
husk; the seed inside is consumed as a "nut.
Pistachio: Seed from a drupe with a hard outer
shell that splits open when ripe.
Each type of nut has a unique composition and is
valued for its nutritional benefits, particularly for
its healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
True botanical nuts are rarer than culinary nuts,
which are widely used as snacks and in cooking
worldwide.
17. Type Nut Description
True Botanical
Nuts
Acorn Hard shell with a cup-like cap; produced by oak trees.
Chestnut Enclosed in a spiny burr that splits open at maturity.
Hazelnut Hard shell surrounded by a leafy husk; commonly used in confections.
Beechnut Small, triangular nut in a burr with soft spines, from beech trees.
Culinary Nuts Almond Edible seed of a drupe, related to peaches; often used in baking.
Walnut Seed of a drupe with a hard, woody shell, rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Pecan Similar to walnuts, with a buttery flavor; commonly used in pies.
Cashew Grows outside a fleshy fruit; popular in cooking and as a snack.
Brazil Nut Seed of a large capsule fruit from South America, rich in selenium.
Pine Nut Edible seeds from pine cones, are often used in pesto.
Macadamia Nut Hard-shelled seed with a creamy texture, high in healthy fats.
Legumes
Considered
Nuts
Peanut
Botanically a legume, grows underground; widely consumed and made
into peanut butter.
Soy Nut Roasted soybeans, sometimes used as a substitute for nuts in snacks.
Drupaceous
Nuts
Coconut Large drupe with a fibrous husk; used for its meat, water, and oil.
Pistachio
Seed inside a drupe; the shell naturally splits open when ripe, often
eaten as a snack.
22. Fruit Crop Commercial Importance Major Producing Countries
Apple
High demand for fresh and processed products
(juice, cider). Long shelf life supports extensive
trade.
United States, China, Poland,
India
Banana
Staple food in tropical regions and globally
traded. High in carbohydrates; popular in fresh,
dried, and processed forms.
Ecuador, India, Brazil,
Philippines
Citrus
Fruits
Rich in vitamin C, widely used fresh and in
juice. Citrus oils are used in cosmetics,
perfumes, and cleaning products.
United States, Brazil, Spain,
China
Grapes
Used for fresh consumption, wine, juice, and
raisins. The wine industry is economically
significant.
France, Italy, Spain, United
States
Pineapple
High global demand, especially for canned fruit
and juice.
Costa Rica, Thailand, Philippines
Mango
Known as the "king of fruits," popular
worldwide. Consumed fresh, dried, and in
juices, chutneys.
India, Mexico, Thailand, Brazil
Strawberry
Consumed fresh and in jams, jellies, desserts.
Supports agritourism with pick-your-own farms.
United States, Spain, Mexico
23. Fruit Crop Commercial Importance
Major Producing
Countries
Avocado
Popular for healthy fats and used in fresh
and processed forms. Global demand rising,
especially in North America and Europe.
Mexico, United States,
Peru
Coconut
Used for food, oil, water, and by-products in
cosmetics, biofuels, and construction.
Philippines, Indonesia,
India
Olive
Key in Mediterranean agriculture. Olive oil
is a high-value product internationally.
Spain, Italy, Greece
Papaya
Consumed fresh, high in vitamins A and C.
Also used in traditional medicine.
India, Brazil, Mexico
Date Palm
Significant in arid regions, culturally and
economically important in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran
Blueberry
Popular for health benefits, used fresh and
frozen. Strong demand driven by health
trends.
United States, Canada,
Poland
Pomegranat
e
High in antioxidants, with demand for fresh
fruit, juice, and extracts.
India, Iran, United States