Reply to a query on Gmelina Arborea

Name of the plant - Gmelina arborea (Tamil : Kumil, Kumul)

Here is the query from Mr.Anonymous.

Respected Mr. Vishnu Sankar,

I'm Anonymous, totally new to the field of agriculture, having 21 acres land in AP which I found is suitable for growing most varieties of teak. But my constraint is that my waiting period is max. 8-10 years.I have adequate irrigation facilities. Could you be kind enough to pls guide which variety or approach is best suited for my needs? Could you also pls guide as to the number of trees possible per acre for the variety suited for my query?

I have read your messages regarding kumil, east indian rose wood etc. In response to your messages on kumil, 1 of the respondents "xxxxx farms" mentioned that his each 8 year old kumil or gummadi tree(gmelina arborea) was offered Rs. 8000/- per tree. Sir is that possible & true?

Sir, your guidance will be most precious & invaluable for me.
Kindly guide & oblige.
Regards,
Abhema
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My reply to our beloved anonymous tree grower:

Dear Sir,

You can select either Gmelina Arborea (kumil in Tamil, gummadi in Telugu) or Melia Dubia (Konda Vepa in Telugu, Malai Vembu in Tamil) for your conditions, since you want to wait for 10 years only.

Under well irrigated conditions a decent value of timber can be had from both the varieties on 10th year.

Out of 500 Kumil trees of 8 year old trees in our farm only about 100 attained 75cm girth, and only 10 attained above 90.

Spacing for both Kumil and Melia Dubia:

If planted in field bunds and borders: Min 2m to max 3m is enough.
For bulk planting: min spacing 3m x 3m to a max of 4m x 4m is needed.

Please bear in mind that climatic conditions of your area, your soil and water quality will determine the correct spacing.

So, analyze, plant and prosper.

Thanking u,

Vishnu Sankar

Wetting and Spreading Agents

Spray adjuvants and spray concentrations
Wetting and Spreading Agents

Introduction:
These are available as ionic-based or non-ionic based surfactants (i.e.) wetting and spreading agents safe to use with all insecticides, fungicides, weedicides and foliar fertilizers.
Mode of Action:
As a spreader it reduces surface tension of the water to 30 dynes / cm from its normal value of 70 - 80 dynes / cm and makes water more wetter This results in better coverage and penetration.
Because of its non-ionic nature, it has least phytotoxic properties and greater compatibility with pesticide formulations.

I. Dosage with Insecticide, Fungicide, Foliar Fertilizers and Defoliators:
Wetting agent 5 ml in 15 litres of spraying liquid (0.0333% Concentration (i.e.) 0.0333 ml in 1 litre of spraying liquid) Stir well to obtain a homogenous mixture.
Benefits: Due to its better coverage:

• It enhances the efficiency of pesticides and fungicides spray.
• when applied with foliar fertilizers, there is increased nutrient uptake.
• when applied with defoliators, there is complete defoliation.

II. Dosage with Post emergence Weedicides:
Wetting agent 20 ml in 15 litres of spraying liquid (0.1333% Concentration (i.e.) 1.333 ml in 1 litre of spraying liquid) (Since it is a spreader only there is no question application with pre emergence Weedicides ??)
Benefits: Helps in increasing the level of penetration of post emergence herbicide through amorphous waxy cuticle layers of leaf, resulting in better weed control.

III. Dosage as irrigation aid (for Soil Application):
Wetting agent 160 ml per acre in at least 80 litres of water (0.2% Concentration (i.e.) 2 ml in 1 litre of water) and apply directly to soil.
(Mixing 160ml of wetting agent in adequate Qty. of soil and broadcasting them over 1 acre of land and irrigating the land is the easier method.)
Benefits when used for soil application: (1) When applied as irrigation aid there is reduced evaporative loss, reduced water losses due to run off and increased moisture content in the soil.
(2) It enhances the water infiltration rate in clay loam soil where there is hardpan layer.
(3) Increases saturated conductivity in silt loam soil.
(4) Because of reduced soil crust strength and loosening effect on hard soils, the root penetration is easier resulting in bigger root volume.
(5) Wetting agent will be active in the soil for about 4 – 6 weeks.

Benefits:
Due to its better coverage, it enhances the efficiency of pesticides, Fungicide, Foliar Fertilizers and Defoliators spray as below:
1) Increases wetting power
2) Improves distribution
3) Helps in deep penetration
4) Increases adhesive power
5) Promotes quick distribution
6) It is a non-corrosive good detergent agent hence cleans spray equipments and Agricultural machineries at low cost.

(Courtesy : Amway)

Finding Pesticide concentrations in % and in ppm

Spray adjuvants and spray concentrations

Table to find Pesticide concentration in % and in ppm

Pesticide Oty. in ml or gms	Water Qty.	Concentration %	ppm Parts per milliliter
10	1 Litre	1%	1000 ppm
5	1 Litre	0.5%	500 ppm
3	1 Litre	0.3%	300 ppm
2	1 Litre	0.2%	200 ppm
1.333	1 Litre	0.1333%	133 ppm
1 gram (1000 milligram)	1 Litre	0.1%	100 ppm
0.0500 gram (500 milligram)	1 Litre	0.05%	50 ppm
0.0333 gram (333 milligram)	1 Litre	0.033%	33 ppm
0.0300 gram (300 milligram)	1 Litre	0.03%	30 ppm
0.0200 gram (200 milligram)	1 Litre	0.02%	20 ppm
0.0100 gram (100 milligram)	1 Litre	0.01%	10 ppm

1 ml = 0.001 litre; 1 mg = 0.001 gm

(Readers comments for the minor discrepancy in the above chart is eagerly awaited)