A Book on Melia dubia (Malai vembu)

Dear farmer friends,

Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding Institute (IFGTB), Coimbatore, in collaboration with Tamilnadu Forest Dept. (Extension), has organized a Tree Growers Mela on Feb, 24 & 25, 2011 with an obejective to familiarise farmers with modern and improved tree farming methods and market opportunities.

At the inagural function IFGTB has released a nice looking, very informative book titled "Melia dubia" (Malai Vembu in Tamil, Hebbevu in Kannada, Konda Veppa in Telugu) with about 55 pictures in both Tamil and English version. It was authored by Mrs.Rekha R.Warrier with active support from fellow scientists and the Director of IFGTB, Dr.N.Krishna Kumar,IFS.

Though this magic tree has caught the attention of farmers due to its fast growth and high economic returns they have been left in the lurch as there is dearth of information and authentic source to know about its growth performance, yield, log quality, pulping details and above all its basic cultivation technique. IFGTB has brought out this book at a right time and information provided in this booklet will be of great use for all those concerned with the cultivation of Melia dubia (Malai vembu).

Some excerpts from the book: (Especially for farmers who seek details to improve germination rate of Melia seeds).

Fruit collection: It is best to adopt ground collection of fallen fruits than obtain them by climbing and shaking of the branches. .... Care should be taken to collect only the ripe yellow or brown fruits. Green fruits indicate immaturity and should not be collected.

Processing and handling: After collection, the fruits can be transported to the place of processing in gunny bags or Bamboo baskets. Ripe yellow fruits can be depulped easily if the fruits undergo fermentation and heating as the pulp is difficult to remove. ...... fermentation can be hastened by soaking the fruits in slightly acidified water (pH 5.5 - 5.6) or in lime water (diluted Calcium Hydroxide solution). Once fermented, the fruits are macerated in Bamboo baskets and thoroughly washed under running water so that even a small quantity of pulp is not adhered to the seeds. Sand can be used as an abrasive to remove the pulp thoroughly. ..... If the pulp is not thorougly removed, the drupes are susceptible to fungal infestation.

Storage and viability: The drupes thus extracted have to be sun-dried for ten days in shade. Cleaned and dried drupes can then be stored in gunny bags or sealed tins for one or two years without losing viability.

Seed Processing and pretreatments: Reports state very poor germination in Melia. ..... Various pretreatments like:

hot water soaking (60-70 degree C),

boiling water treatment (100 Degree C),

roasting drupes at 60 degree C for 5-10 minutes,

storing of drupes in farm yard manure,

treatment with concentrated sulphuric acid,

drupes collected from the spittings of goats,

soaking of drupes in cow dung slurry for two to fifteen days,

cutting the hard endocarp of drupes and soaking drupes in cold water for a week

have been suggested to improve the germination rate of Melia dubia. ..... The major constraints in germination identified in the species at IFGTB are the source of collection, time and medium of sowing. (Seeds stored for a min of one year show better germination over fresh ones).

NURSERY: (Seed sowing) The drupes should be graded in water to remove floating drupes prior to sowing. Cleaned and dried drupes should be sown in the open raised nursery beds, in drilled lines, 5cm apart. About 6-7 kgs of dried drupes containing about 1500 numbers are required for one standard nursery bed (10x1m). The drupes sown need to be watered regularly.

The content of the book also includes 1.Maintenance of seedlings 2. Vegetative propagation 3. Plantation methods 4. Silvicultural characteristics 5. Planting space 6. Pests and diseases 7. Recommended intercrops 8. Wood properties 9. Timber characteristics 10. Wood processing 11. Uses 12. Growth statistics 13.Economics 14. Problems in identification of Melia dubia and Melia azedarach.

The above book is available in both Tamil and English version and can be purchased from: The Director, IFGTB, PB:1061, Forest campus, Coimbatore - 641 002, Tamilnadu. Price Rs.100/-

"Plant Melia for prosperity"

Regards,

A.Vishnu Sankar

Workshop on cultivation of Tree crops in dry lands

Topic: WORKSHOP ON CULTIVATION OF TREES IN
DRY LANDS

arranged by the Department of Forest Extension, Tirunelveli
Division, and Tirunelveli District Tree Growers association.

Venue:

• Donavur Fellowship premises, Near Kalakad, Tirunelveli District, Tamilnadu.
  

Location:

• Tirunelveli to Nanguneri 40 Kms, Nanguneri to Kalakau 20 Kms, Kalakadu to Donavur 8 Kms,

Mode of Transport:

• Two private minibuses and Vans of Forest Extension Division of Tamilnadu are exclusively arranged to bring in participants from Kalakadu Bus stand.

Date and programme timings:

• I day - 02/09/2010 Time 10.30 AM to 5.00 PM
  
• II day - 03/09/2010 Time 10.00 AM to 3.00 PM
  

Fees if any for Registration, Food and Accommodation:

• No registration fee.
  
• Food will be provided free of cost.
• Accommodation for the night stay on 02/09/2010 is free.
• Transport from the seminar hall to the lodge on 02/09/10 evening and back to the seminar hall on 03/09/10 Morning are free.

Programme for I day - 02/09/2010:

• 'Cultivation of 'Ailanthus'- by Dr.P.Rajendran, Associate Prof, Dept. of Tree Breeding, Forest college & Research Institute, Mettupalayam.

• 'Cultivation of Eucalyptus and the benefits of selecting Euclayptus clones as planting material.' - Resource person from F.C & R.I.

• 'Cultivation of 'Melia dubia'- Resource person from IFGTB.
  

• 'Cultivation of Neem and Albizia lebbeck' by Shri.S.Saravanan, IFGTB (Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding Institute)
  

Programme for II day - 03/09/2010:

• 'Cultivation of Trees in dry lands and the selection of suitable intercrops' by Dr.T.Rengarajan, Associate Prof, Dept of Agronomy, TNAU, Tamilnadu Agriculture University, Agriculture Research Station, Kovilpatti.

• 'Various Soil types and selecting appropriate Tree variety that suits your soil type' by Dr. Salia, Professor, Dept. of Soil Sciences, TNAU, Tamilnadu Agriculture University, Madurai.
  

• 'Contract Farming in dry lands' by Sri. Srinivasan, Plantation Manager, TNPL, Tamilnadu News Prints and Papers Limited, Karur.

• 'Soil and water conservation in Dry lands' by Shri. Chandran, Executive Engineer, Agriculture Engineering Department, Tirunelveli.

PARTICIPATE FOR YOUR PROSPERITY .

Regards,
Vishnu Sankar
President,
Tirunelveli District Tree Growers Association

Melia dubia ( Tamil: Malai Vembu ) cultivation

Melia dubia ( Tamil: Malai Vembu ) cultivation is fast catching up in Tamilnadu in recent years and my mailbox is flooded mostly with requests seeking clarifications about it's cultivation techniques.

I have given below the questions raised by one such follower of this blog:

We are planting Melia dubia ( Malai Vembu ) as border tree in our dry land ( having little water with a small bore well). We just planted yesterday with a 10'spacing apart. Dug a pit of 2.5' x 2.5' x 2.5'. As the monsoon starts settling down, we decided to plant the saplings now. The sapling height itself approx. 4 feet now. We have added some organic manure while planting. Watering we are planning alternative days as of now. Soil type is very good RED SOIL. We planted 15 trees as a sample now and wanted to see them for a week and plant the rest ( 100 plus). Please throw us some more suggestions / advice as we are new to this farming. Will post some pictures later next week.

1. Watering frequency and Watering location ( like how far from the stem and pit area diameter).

2. Is the watering to be continuous or can be scaled down after some time.

3. We prefer not to use any fertilisers though we prefer organic manures. Any recommendation for frequency of using manure and also watering methods during and after placing manure.

4. As of now we are planting only on East-West direction to avoid shades for cultivation. Any suggestions on shade for North-South plantation.

5. Please suggest proper pruning methods and timings.

My response for the clarifications raised is summed up hereunder:

The planting procedure you had followed for Malai vembu and the spacing provided are flawless and very precise as per the recommendations. As for the rest of your queries, my suggestions are:

• Q1: Watering frequency and Watering location ( like how far from the stem and pit area diameter).

• Q2: Is the watering to be continuous or can be scaled down after some time.

If the crop is flood irrigated, then watering in alternative days as you have planned is more than sufficient for the first 2 to 3 weeks after planting. Once the plant establishes well in the soil, weekly irrigation is enough.

If you have provided drip irrigation system, follow daily wetting @ 5 - 8 litres / plant, 0.5 feet away from the plant for the first 3 months (8lph dripper 1 number/plant). After 6 months and during summer 16 - 20 litres / plant, 1.5 feet away on either side of the plant (8lph dripper 2 numbers/plant).

This suggestions are only indicative and don't strictly follow these as there will be entirely different requirements with different soil types.

• Q3: We prefer not to use any chemical fertilisers and proposed to use organic manures. Any recommendation for frequency of using manure and also watering methods during and after placing manure.

Add 20gms of VAM for each plant at the pit at the time of planting. Since you are very particular about organic practices, opt Rock phosphate and Gypsum as effective amendments.

Mix Azos + Phospho + Pseudomonas + T.viridi and Neem cake with FYM and apply liberally in the pit at the time of planting.

The same mixture should be applied yearly twice, at the time of N.E and S.W monsoon rains, 1.5 - 2 ' around the base plant.

• Q4: As of now we are planting only on East-West direction to avoid shades for cultivation. Any suggestions on shade for North-South plantation.

The characteristic features of Melia dubia tree are its very fast growth, good height and the limited canopy. These characters along with the not much noticed or studied character of root competition with the adjacent crops, makes it an ideal border crop. So North-South plantation with the spacing of 10' x 10' will not harm the main crop in the field.

• Q5: Please suggest proper pruning methods and timings.

Straight pole fetches good price in the market. Farmers with some basic knowledge about the tree's branching pattern and pruning techniques will definitely stand to gain.

In good irrigated fertile soils, the plant usually produces 3 to 4 side branches when it attains the height of 12' -14'. Prune the branches 2" -3" away from the main stem in the initial stage itself using secateurs. Pruning well developed branches may cause injury to the main trunk, so extreme care should be taken to prune the branches at the early stages itself.

You will notice the same kind of branching pattern second time, when the plant attains the height of 18' - 20'. Some farmers prefer not to prune those branches formed at the height of 18', thereby curtailing the tree's vertical growth and allowing for girth increment.

When planted in dry lands and in drought prone areas, the tree branches at the height of 6' - 8' itself. It is also quite natural for any tree to form branches if it's apical tip got damaged due to pest attack, mechanical injury or by cattle gracing.

"Plant Melia for prosperity"

Regards,
Vishnu Sankar

Pigeon pea (Red gram, Thuvarai in Tamil) production technology

Dear friends,

I have given below a brief account of pigeon pea cultivation practices as recommended by 'ICRISAT' (International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics). In the second part of this same article, my actual cultivation experience of pigeon pea is explained in detail.

I. Pigeon pea (Red gram, Thuvarai in Tamil) production Practices:

• Native plant of India.

• It's drought tolerance and the ability to use residual moisture during the dry season makes it an important crop.

• It is a slow growing crop mainly cultivated in the raining season.

• When cultivated in fertile soils with proper irrigation the plants attain 3 -4 m height.

• At a wider spacing it may form a bush and at narrow spacing it remains compact and upright.

• Root nodules of 'Rhizobia' forms on the root system.

• Pigeon pea is sensitive to water logging. So, plant them in well drained soil for good root and nodule development.

• Before sowing at least two ploughing is necessary. Summer ploughing helps in minimizing the weed and to conserve moisture.

• Cultivation in ridges and furrows system is recommended.

• Sowing Depth: 4 to 5 cm.
• Response to Nutrients:
• Effect of Nitrogen is almost negligible. However a starter application of 25 kg of N / ha is beneficial.
• Response to 'P' application has been positive. Application of 17 -26 kgs / ha increases yield by 300-600 kgs/ha.
• Pigeon pea does not respond to K application unless it is grown on low Potassium available soils.
• Most of the pigeon pea cultivars are susceptible to Zinc deficiency. So foliar application of 2-4 ppm of Zinc Sulphate @ 0.5% with 0.25 % lime have been effective.
• NPK requirement: 20 : 17 : 17
• It is observed that rhizobial inoculation increase the grain yield from 19 to 68%.

 















IRRIGATION:

• Irrigation at the time of flower initiation and pod setting are essential. The drought stress symptoms are indicated by the leaves pointing towards the sun at noon.
• Excessive moisture promotes vegetative growth. Proper irrigation increases the seed yield by about 150 - 160% over the non-irrigated control at ICRISAT.

• HARVEST: It should be harvested when 80% of the pods become brown.

II. My actual cultivation experience of pigeon pea:

• Initially, ICRISAT's 'ICPL 87119'- a bold seed variety was sown. But heavy monsoon rains badly affected the seeds and only about 20% germination rate was observed. Gap filling for the remaining 80% is not feasible, so destroyed all the plants by ploughing and opted for a fresh crop.

• Next variety selected: ICPL 85063.

• Area : 3 acres.

• Field preparation: Ridges and furrows.

• Spacing: Row to Row - 2.5 feet on ridge slope. (Actual spacing requirement for the plant is 3 feet. Do not reduce the spacing in fertile soils with irrigation facility. The ICRISAT's recommendation of 70 cm spacing is for dry lands.

• Spacing: Plant to plant - 2 feet. (ICRISAT's recommendation of 20cm - 30cm is too narrow. Better go for above 1.5 feet - 2 feet spacing to avoid overcrowding. In my experience, I got more grain yield from sparsely populated areas. Please note that, at a wider spacing the plant will grow as a bush and at narrow spacing it remains compact and upright.)

• Seed requirement: If you sow single seed per pit, about 4 kgs (approx.) of seeds may be required for a spacing of 75cm x 60cm and if you opt for 2 seeds per pit then about 8 kgs (approx.) of seeds will be required. The quantity of seed requirement will also vary depending upon the size and weight of selected seed variety.

                                                 
About 1000 plants were raised in plugtrays / protrays for gap filling.

Presoaking of Seeds: Soaking the seeds in good water for 6 hours before sowing is an essential activity.

Seed Treatment: Since the procured seeds were already treated with the chemical fungicide 'Thiram', seed treatment using 'Rhizobium' was not done. So 'Rhizobium' was broadcasted over the field.
Inter crop: Black gram in a single row on opposite side of the red gram sown ridge.
Intercrop duration: 90 days.
Deweeding: A total of 5 manual deweeding was done.
Basal :

• FYM 5 Tons per Acre broadcasted before first ploughing..

• Rhizobium 1 kg + Azosphyrillum 2 Kgs + Phosphobacterium 2 kgs + Viridi 500 gms were thoroughly mixed with FYM 50 Kgs and broadcasted over an acre before I irrigation.

• 2 Kgs of Micronutrient Mixture for Pulses (M.N. mixture No:VII in Tamilnadu) mixed with 20 kgs of sand per acre was broadcasted before III irrigation.

• Maturity / Age: 160 - 180 days.

• Irrigation: To arrest the vegetative growth of the plant, irrigation was stopped by 140 th day to induce flowering.

• After flowering, controlled irrigation was provided enabling the pods to get filled up.

• Fertilisers:N:P:K applied was 46:32:32 against the ICRISAT recommended dosage of 20:17:17.

• Top dressing of M.N Mixture 5 kg per acre on 60th day.

• Foliar application of Zn So4 two times.

                                                 
Pest Control:

Steps to control Pod borer attack.

• Used 'Phremon traps' / 'Lures' of 'Helicoverpa armigera' @ 10 per acre at the time of flowering and changed them after 45 days with fresh ones.

• Foliar spray of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.T, Brand: HALT) @ 4%/litre - 3 applications with a gap of 15 days between each spray.

• Released 'Trichogramma Kilonis' an egg parasite @ 3 cc per acre (15 strips of eggs) - 3 times with a gap of 15 days between each one.

• Harvesting procedure (Conventional): Cut the stem at the base ==> bundle the plants ==> shift them to thrashing floor ==> bundles to be stacked in upright position for 2-3 days for effective drying and fall of leaves ==> beat the dry plants with sticks ==> remove dusts and collect seeds.

• Using Mechanical thrasher: By using "All purpose mechanical Thrashers", one can reduce the cost of harvesting expenses considerably.

• Yield attained: Total yield 2115 Kgs in 3 acres (i.e) 705 Kgs per acre.
• Yield attained from the inter crop 'Blackgram': 140 Kgs per acre

• Gross income per acre: Pigeon pea: Kgs.705 x Rs 36 = 25380

• Gross income from Black gram:Kgs.140 x Rs 42 = 5880

• Total income from Pigeon pea and Black gram: Rs.31300

• Expenses per acre:Rs. 9800 approx.

(About 50% of this expense was incurred in harvesting and for manual cleaning. I was not able to get the mechanical thrasher at the time of harvest, though it had been booked well in advance. If I had got the mechanical thrasher in time, I would have minimized the harvesting expenses and the total expenses would be around Rs.7000 only)

• Net income per acre from both main crop and inter crop: Rs. 21500 (Rd) in a period of 6 months.

Please note that organic practices were adopted for pest control and chemical fertilizers were used to attain the recommended N:P:K level.

I have learned a very good lesson from this crop and I will be more happy if our dear farmers took a balanced view of the recommendations to attain more yield and mechanize the farming activity to get more profits.

Please have a look at one more interesting post on Pigeon Pea (Red gram / Thuvari) by me at this LINK  (Second Green Revolution and Dismal Pulses production in India) before leaving out of this page.

 
Regards,
Vishnu Sankar.