Saltpetre application

Apply as a foliar spray. Dilute in 1gm:50ml ratio.
i.e. 200 gm in 10 litres of water.

Silvicultre / Agroforestry - AgricultureInformation.com

1.Gmelina Arborea Kumil in Tamil 2.Melia Dubia Malai Vembu in Tamil 3.Casuarina Jhunghuniana 'Savukku' for drought prone areas 4.Ailanthus Excelsa Perumaram or Pee maram in Tamil 5.Grewia Tiliaefolia Thadasu or Sadchi in Tamil 6.Khaya Senegalansis Kaya or Senegal Mahogany in Tamil 7.Albizia Falcataria Kattumaram in Tamil and 8.Pterocarpus Santalinus (Red Sanders) Sivappu Santhanam in Tamil

http://www.agricultureinformation.com/forums/questions-answers/20558-silvicultre-agroforestry.html

Micro-propagation technique for casuarina 30/9/2004

By Our Agriculture Correspondent

Plants developed through the low-cost micro-propagation methods have deep rooting systems.

A LOW-cost micro-propagation technique for mass multiplication of Casuriana junghuhniana, a fast growing hybrid, has been successfully developed by a farmer-scientist, Mr. T. Vengadapathy Reddiar. The innovative farmer used a combination of growth promoting and root initiating substances to get higher percentage of rooting in sprigs and tender shoot tips.

Working in a simple, ingeniously designed laboratory and mist chambers in his Lakshmi Narayana's Crossandra Innovation Centre, Koodapakkam village in Pondicherry, Mr. Reddiar has developed quality, disease-free plants with long roots within three months. "I select the mother plants and spray them with a micro-nutrient spray a week before extracting sprigs and tender shoots. Then I place them in small plastic cups containing vermiculite, after dipping the lower portion in 500 ppm (parts per million) Indole Butyric Acid (IBA), a growth promoting compound.

Conditioning

They are kept inside a mist chamber to maintain a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 70 to 90 per cent," explains Mr. Reddiar.

In about fifteen days, rooting is noticed in the young sprigs and tender shoot tips. They are then gradually conditioned to stand field conditions in the next three months. Further multiplication can be done from the selected mother plants from this lot.

To encourage development of more laterals (side shoots), maleic hydroxide is sprayed after 30 days of establishment of the young plants, according to him. The cost of each plant developed through this method works out to Rs.0.50, and after field conditioning for three months the vigorous and healthy plants with deep roots can be sold at Rs. 3 each, according to Mr. Reddiar.

Casuarina junghuhniana is a fast growing and highly drought-tolerant species, and it is mainly propagated by vegetative means. The hybrid was introduced in India in1951.

About 100 air-layers of this hybrid were received from the Royal Thai Forest Department, Thailand, and as the trees bore only male flowers, they could be propagated only vegetatively, according Mr. S. Kondas, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Tamil Nadu, who had done extensive work on Casuarinas.

Two techniques

Air-layering using twigs of pencil-thickness during the monsoon, and sprig planting in mist chambers were the two techniques adopted by the forest department to multiply this fast growing species.

The robust saplings with good straight stems and symmetric conical crowns establish quickly in sandy tracts.

The hybrid Casuarina is a heavy yielder of biomass, and it also has symbiotic association with the nitrogen-fixing organism, Frankia sp. The hybrid grows tall and is endowed with graceful needles closely resembling pine.

© Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu

Power fence firm moves court

BANGALORE: A firm, which was engaged by the Forest Department to put up fences in the Hunsur Forest Range to prevent wild animals from crossing over to villages surrounding the forests, has petitioned the Karnataka High Court against an order of the Forest Department asking it to pay damages for fences destroyed by wild animals.

The firm, IBEX Gallagher, said it was involved in the business of manufacturing, marketing and maintaining power fencing. It said it was installing solar fencing. IBEX said it had installed fences around Parliament House, Cabinet Secretariat building, UAE Embassy, HAL, Ship Building Centre at Visakhapatnam, Bandipur forest, and Central prison at Parappana Agrahara. It said the Forest Department on October 30 called for tenders to put up power fences in Hunsur forest range covering 84 km of forests.

It said the department had accepted its bid.

The firm said it had made it clear to the Forest Department that it could not guarantee normal wear and tear of the equipment.

It said the department claimed that more than 30 km of the 84-km fence was destroyed by wild animals and elephants. The department asked the company to pay damages of Rs. 37 lakh and sent a notice to the firm.

The firm urged the court to stay the notice.

Justice L. Narayanaswamy asked the State to file its objections within a week and adjourned hearing on the case.

© Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu

Interview with Mr. Srinivas, Manager Plantations of Tamil Nadu Newsprints Limited

Reiterated difficulty re germination and also getting the correct variety. Melia dubia according to him is a much faster growing variety and seeds have to be collected from the correct tree. Melia azedarach germinates more easily but does not grow fast. He is in touch with Dr. Pathibhan of Forest College, Coimbatore. He is sourcing seeds from him. Mother trees are available in Kallar and in Mettuppalyam Block Centre. Melia is a good source for pulpwood but he was talking about 40 tonnes production per acre in 4 years i.e. Rs. 80000 per acre in 4 years at current pulpwood prices. This is under unirrigated condition without use of fertilizers. He was not able to commit what production was feasible under irrigated conditions with fertilizer use.

His contact number is +919442591411

Melia azedarach wood properties

Commercial Timbers

H. G. Richter and M. J. Dallwitz

Melia azedarach L. (Paraiso, persian lilac)

Nomenclature etc. MELIACEAE. Including. Trade and local names: melia (trade); paraiso (BR, AR, PY); mindi, jempinis, geringging (ID); tamaga (MM); bakainu (NP); bakan, denkan (IN). Not protected under CITES regulations.

Tree. Geographic distribution: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka to Burma, or Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia to Indomalesia, or southern Brazil (native to northern India, today widely cultivated in SE-Asia and southern South America).

General. Growth ring boundaries distinct. Mostly ring-porous, wood from plantations often with extremely wide growth increments up to 2 cm. Heartwood basically light pinkish brown, without streaks. Sapwood colour distinct from heartwood colour (sapwood yellowish-white). Odour indistinct or absent. Basic specific gravity 0.5–0.65 g/cm³. Wood of commercial potential (only wood from plantations).

Vessels. Vessels present. Wood ring-porous to semi-ring-porous. Vessels arranged in diagonal and/or radial pattern or no specific pattern, in multiples, commonly short (2–3 vessels) radial rows. Average tangential vessel diameter 200–350 µm; diameter of vessel lumina: very large. Average vessel element length 200–350 µm. Average vessel element length short. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate, average diameter (vertical) 5–7 µm, small, not vestured. Vessel-ray pits with distinct borders, similar to intervessel pits (slightly smaller). Helical thickenings present, only in narrow vessel elements, throughout the body of vessel elements. Tyloses in vessels absent. Other deposits in heartwood vessels present (dark reddish brown, predominatly in early wood vessels).

Tracheids and fibres. Fibres very thin-walled, or of medium wall thickness. Average fibre length 800–1650 µm. Average fibre length medium to long. Fibre pits mainly restricted to radial walls, simple to minutely bordered. Helical thickenings absent. Fibres non-septate.

Axial parenchyma. Axial parenchyma present, banded. Axial parenchyma bands marginal (or seemingly marginal) (wide initial bands including most earlywood vessels), bands much wider than rays, coarse, more than three cells wide. Axial parenchyma apotracheal, or paratracheal. Apotracheal axial parenchyma diffuse (individual strands, mostly crytalliferous). Paratracheal axial parenchyma vasicentric, or confluent (confluent in latewood connecting groups of small vessels). Axial parenchyma as strands. Average number of cells per axial parenchyma strand 3–6.

Rays. Rays 3–5 per tangential mm, multiseriate (also if only few), (2–)4–8 cells wide, of medium width (3–5 seriate) to wide (5–10 seriate). Height of large rays commonly 500 to 1000 µm. Rays composed of a single cell type (homocellular); homocellular ray cells procumbent.

Storied structures. Storied structure absent.

Secretory structures. Oil and mucilage cells absent. Intercellular canals absent. Laticifers or tanniniferous tubes absent.

Cambial variants. Included phloem absent. Other cambial variants absent.

Mineral inclusions. Crystals present, prismatic, located in ray cells (sparse) or axial parenchyma cells. Crystal-containing ray cells procumbent. Crystal-containing axial parenchyma cells chambered. Number of crystals per cell or chamber one. Cystoliths absent. Silica not observed.

Illustrations. • Transverse section. Melia azedarach. • Tangential section. Melia azedarach. • Radial section. Melia azedarach.

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The interactive key allows access to the character list, illustrations, full and partial descriptions, diagnostic descriptions, differences and similarities between taxa, lists of taxa exhibiting specified attributes, summaries of attributes within groups of taxa, and geographical distribution.

Cite this publication as: 'Richter, H.G., and Dallwitz, M.J. 2000 onwards. Commercial timbers: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval. In English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Version: 16th April 2006. http://delta-intkey.com'.

Melia wood properties

Anatomical Properties of Bakain (Melia Azedarach)

General Characteristics of the wood:

The sapwood is yellowish-white and the heartwood is red, turning to reddish brown with age. The wood is lustrous, odourless, tasteless, light, straight grained coarse and uneven textured.

Structure of wood:

Growth rings are conspicuous delimited by a zone of large springwood pores as the wood is ring porous, variable in width and are 0.97/cm. Vessels are of two sorts. The earlywood vessels occur solitary or paired radially or contiguous in tangential plane, larger in size, 94.5µ-304.5µ in diameter and are 7-15/mm sq. in number. The latewood vessels occur in groups, forming flame like irregular oblique patches along with longitudinal parenchyma, smaller in size, 63µ-241.5µ wide and are 3 - 15/mm sq. in number. Tyloses are absent. Reddish-brown gummy deposits are abundant occluding the vessels. Wood rays are broad, visible with the naked eye on the cross surface of wood, homogeneous, 9.-16/mm sq. in tangential section and 3-4/mm in cross section. The largest rays are up to 582µ (32 cells) high and 67.9µ (7 cells) wide. Parenchyma is Paratracheal and metatracheal. Paratracheal parenchyma is abundant encircling the vessel groups forming flame-like irregular oblique patches extending across the rays. The metatracheal parenchyma forms a broad belt in the beginning of the growth rings or scattered. Fibers are non-libriform, arranged in radial rows, non-septate, 0.78mm -1.3 mm long, 12.75µ-22.95µ in diameter and the fiber walls are 2.55µ-5.1µ thick.

Above-ground biomass estimation in ten tropical dry evergreen forest sites of peninsular India

S. Mani^a and N. Parthasarathy^{, a,}

^aDepartment of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605 014, India

Received 9 August 2005; 

accepted 15 August 2006. 

Available online 7 March 2007.

Abstract

References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.

The present study aims to estimate the above-ground biomass (AGB) distribution in ten 1-ha permanent plots, established in five sites each in inland and coastal tropical dry evergreen forests of peninsular India. Two linear regression equations, one using basal area (BA, Method 1) and the other using BA and height (Method 2) were followed. On using method 1, the AGB varied from 39.69 to 170.02 Mg ha⁻¹ and by method 2, it varied from 73.06 to 173.10 Mg ha⁻¹. The relationship between BA and AGB yielded a positive correlation for all the five sites of inland and coastal areas. The basic wood specific gravity of 41 tree species determined by oven-dry weight by volume, ranged from 0.46 to 0.92 g cm⁻³ for inland sites and 0.47 to 0.89 g cm⁻³ for the coastal sites. The AGB estimation obtained in this study represents a more realistic picture of biomass of tropical dry evergreen forests, because a relatively large area was sampled.

Keywords: Peninsular India; Tropical dry evergreen forest; Permanent plot; Above-ground biomass; Wood specific gravity

Measuring Standing Trees & Logs

Measuring Standing Trees & Logs

Publication Number: 420-560, Revised 2004

Authors: Richard G. Oderwald, Professor of Forestry and James E. Johnson, Professor of Forestry and Extension Specialist; Virginia Tech

Table of Contents

Introduction Standing Tree Measurement Log Volume Measurement Keep a Tally of Trees, Logs, or Pulpwood Special Note

Timber may be sold as stumpage (trees before they are cut) or as harvested products (sawlogs, veneer logs, or pulpwood). If trees are sold as harvested products, the sale is customarily based upon measured volume. Trees marketed as stumpage may be sold by boundary, a measured estimate of stand volume, or individual tree measurements.

Regardless of the price offered, a purchaser always estimates timber volume in a stand before buying it. In contrast, the seller too often has no idea what volume of timber is being sold. This publication explains how you can make your own tree or log volume measurements.

Standing-tree and log volumes can be measured using a scale stick designed to fit Virginia timber conditions. With it you can measure the diameter of a tree, the number of 16-foot logs or the length of pulpwood in a tree, and the diameter and length of sawlogs. Tables printed on the stick provide for varying board-foot volumes for standing trees and for sawlogs of varying lengths.

A Virginia Tree and Log Scale Stick can be purchased from:
Extension Forestry
324 Cheatham Hall
College of Natural Resources
Virginia Tech (0324)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-7051
Enclose a check for $10.00, payable to: Virginia Tech Treasurer.

Return to Table of Contents

Standing Tree Measurement

The diameter of a tree at 4-1/2 feet above the ground is called the "diameter at breast height" (DBH). Both the diameter and merchantable height are used to obtain tree volume. The merchantable height is measured from the stump (usually 6 inches above the ground) to the point where the trunk becomes too small in diameter to have any value. The minimum usable diameter for pine and other conifers is usually 6 inches if such trees are to be cut for sawlogs and 4 inches if they are to be harvested for pulpwood. For hardwoods, the minimum merchantable diameter is 8 inches, or the point at which the trunk breaks up into branches. After the diameter and height of the tree have been measured, the sawlog volume for a tree with one to four logs may be read directly from the table on the stick.

A. Diameter Measurement
With the side marked "Tree Scale Stick" facing you, hold the stick against the tree at a right angle to the trunk, 4-1/2 feet from the ground and 25 inches from your eye (Figure 1). The 25-inch distance may be measured with the side of the stick labelled "Log Scale" (Figure 2). Next, move the stick so that its zero end is in line with your eye and the left side of the tree. Then, with your head in the same position, note where your line of sight cuts across the stick to the right side of the tree. The reading on the stick at this point gives the diameter of the tree (Figure 3).

Figure 1.	Figure 2.
Figure 3.

B. Merchantable Height Measurement
To measure height, stand 66 feet away from the tree (measured or paced) and on the same level as its base. Hold the stick in a vertical position, 25 inches from your eye (Figures 4 and 5). If the sawlog height is to be measured, the edge of the stick labelled with "1, 2, 3, 4, 5" should face you. If the length of pulpwood sticks is to be measured, the edge of the stick labelled in 5-foot height increments should face you. Move the stick so that its zero end will be at the tree stump height in your line of sight. Then, without moving your head, note on the right side of the stick where your line of sight meets the merchantable top of the tree. Estimate to the nearest half log or nearest 5 feet on the height scale.

Figure 4.
Figure 5a.	Figure 5b.

C. Tree Volume Measurement
The sawlog volume of the tree may be found by referring to the table on the "Tree Scale" side of the stick. If, for example, the tree is 16 inches in diameter and contains three 16-foot logs, the volume (241 board feet) will be found under the 16-inch volume on the 3-log line. If the tree is 2-1/2 logs high and 16 inches in diameter, its volume may be found by adding the volumes of a 2-log and a 3-log tree (180+241=421) and dividing by 2 (421÷2=210).

Pulpwood volume may be found by referring to Tables 1 and 2. For example, a tree 9 inches in diameter with 40 feet of merchantable height will have a weight of 0.35 tons or a volume of 0.13 cords. Ten trees of this size would have 3.5 tons or 1.3 cords.

The board-foot tree volumes on the stick and the pulpwood weights and volumes in the table are for trees in Virginia growing under average conditions. For better-than-average trees, the volumes may be increased 3% to 6%; for trees poorer than average, the estimated tree volumes should be lowered by the same amount.

Return to Table of Contents

Log Volume Measurement

Sawlogs should always be cut and measured in even lengths - 8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 feet - with 3 inches added for trim allowance. To obtain the volume of a sawlog, first measure the length to the nearest full, even foot. If the log does not have the additional 3 inches for trim allowance, the merchantable length will be the next lower even foot. (For example, if the log measures exactly 14 feet, the merchantable length will be 12 feet instead of 14 feet.) Then, measure the diameter in inches inside the bark at the small end of the log with the log scale side of the stick. If the end is not round, make two measurements at right angles to each other and use their average to the nearest inch for log diameters. Then, referring to the log scale table on the stick, look for the volume of the log measured. For example, if the log is 14 inches in diameter and 16 feet long, the volume is 135 board feet.

The log volumes used on the stick are those of the international 1/4-inch log rule. This rule gives the most accurate measurement of board-foot volume in 1-inch boards that can be sawed from logs of various sizes.

Return to Table of Contents

Keep a Tally of Trees, Logs, or Pulpwood

When measuring the volume of standing trees or sawlogs, you should keep a tally of the trees or logs measured. This may be done by recording the dimensions of each tree or log measured (usually by species) and by adding the individual volume measurements to get the total.

Return to Table of Contents

Special Note

For further information on how to use the Virginia Tree and Log Scale Stick see your Extension agent. If you want to sell your timber, you should have its value assessed. The nearest Virginia Department of Forestry office will have a list of consulting foresters who work in your area.

Table 1. Pulpwood volume including bark (in cords)

Height in Feet to 4 Inch Top Outside Bark
Diameter Breast Height (inches)	10	15	20	25	30	35	40	45	50	55	60
6	0.02	0.03	0.04	0.04	0.05
7	0.03	0.04	0.05	0.06	0.07	0.07	0.08	0.09
8		0.05	0.06	0.07	0.08	0.09	0.11	0.12
9			0.07	0.09	0.10	0.12	0.13	0.15	0.16	0.18	0.19
10			0.09	0.10	0.12	0.14	0.16	0.18	0.20	0.22	0.24
11			0.10	0.12	0.15	0.17	0.19	0.22	0.24	0.26	0.29
12			0.12	0.15	0.17	0.20	0.23	0.26	0.28	0.31	0.34
13			0.14	0.17	0.20	0.23	0.27	0.30	0.33	0.36	0.40
14			0.16	0.20	0.23	0.27	0.31	0.35	0.38	0.42	0.46
15						0.31	0.35	0.39	0.44	0.48	0.52
16						0.35	0.40	0.45	0.50	0.55	0.59
17							0.45	0.50	0.56	0.61	0.67
18							0.50	0.56	0.63	0.69	0.75
19							0.56	0.63	0.70	0.77	0.83
20							0.62	0.69	0.77	0.85	0.92

Table 2. Pulpwood weight including bark (in tons).

Height in Feet to 4 Inch Top Outside Bark
Diameter Breast Height (inches)	10	15	20	25	30	35	40	45	50	55	60
6	0.05	0.08	0.11	0.11	0.13
7	0.08	0.11	0.13	0.16	0.19	0.19	0.21	0.24
8		0.13	0.16	0.19	0.21	0.24	0.29	0.32
9			0.19	0.24	0.27	0.32	0.35	0.40	0.43	0.48	0.51
10			0.24	0.27	0.32	0.37	0.43	0.48	0.54	0.59	0.64
11			0.27	0.32	0.40	0.45	0.51	0.59	0.64	0.70	0.78
12			0.32	0.40	0.45	0.54	0.62	0.70	0.75	0.83	0.91
13			0.37	0.45	0.54	0.62	0.72	0.80	0.88	0.96	1.07
14			0.43	0.54	0.62	0.72	0.83	0.94	1.02	1.12	1.23
15						0.83	0.94	1.04	1.18	1.28	1.39
16						0.94	1.07	1.20	1.34	1.47	1.58
17							1.20	1.34	1.50	1.63	1.79
18							1.34	1.50	1.69	1.85	2.01
19							1.50	1.69	1.87	2.06	2.22
20							1.66	1.85	2.06	2.27	2.46

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Interesting Melia article

Article title	TREE GROWTH AND BIOMASS PRODUCTION IN MELIA AZEDARACH ON FARM BOUNDARIES IN A SEMI-ARID REGION
Author	Roy, M. M. Pathak, P. S. Rai, A. K. Kushwaha, D.
Journal title	INDIAN FORESTER
Bibliographic details	2006, VOL 132; NUMB 1, pages 105-110
Publisher	FOREST RESEACH INTITUTE	Country of publication	India
ISBN		ISSN	0019-4816
Language	English

Mr. Sam Venkatesh of Energy Plantation Projects India Limited -- 09844018287

Melia among other species being grown as an energy plantation under dryland conditions. Not of great interest to us.

Interview with Mr. M.S.Vagh, MD, Hunsur Plywoods

Melia is extensively used in plywood industry and is a recommended

species. It is a naturally fast growing species.  In Kerala it grows
too fast because of high rainfall - Melia wood from Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka is preferred.
He suggested a pit size of 2' x 2' x 2' with 20' by 20' spacing giving
a plant density of about 109 trees to an acre.
Irrigation and fertilizer use only for the first 2 years if at all and
thereafter no irrigation or fertilizing as otherwise the tree would
grow too fast.
The larger pit size would naturally allow more rainwater to reach the
plant. According to him the tree is to be ideally harvested for
plywood core veneer purposes in the 12th year.
The average tree would have a 24' bole with 3'-3.5' girth. Each tree
would yield about 15 cft of wood. Presently the wood is bought by them
at Rs. 225 to Rs. 250 per cft. Trees for facing veneer need to be
about 30 years old and these would be procured at Rs. 500 to Rs. 600
per cft. The process for obtaining core veneer is through peeling and
even smaller logs can be peeled. For facing veneer the process is more
akin to splitting and you need larger sized logs.
He suggested planting 85% Melia with 15% higher value timber trees
like mahogany.
Promised to send a note and also was kind enough to invite Sara for
further discussion.
Mr. Vagh's contact number is 0822-2252025

Melia Azedarach Factsheet

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				Melia azedarach Species identity Ecology and distribution Propagation and management Functional uses Pests and diseases Additional Info Bibliography Images Species identity Taxonomy Current name: Melia azedarach Authority: L. Family: Meliaceae Synonym(s) Melia bukayan Royle. Melia composita Willd. Melia dubia Cavanilles Melia japonica Don. Melia sempervirens (L.) Sw. Common names (Bengali) : bakarjan, ghora nim, mahanim, mahnim (Cantonese) : mindi kechil (English) : azedarach, bead tree, China berry, China tree, Persian lilac, pride of India, syringa (Filipino) : bagaluñga, balagañgo, paraiso (French) : Fleurs lilas, Piment d'eau (Hausa) : kurnam nasara (Hindi) : bakain, bakarja, betain, deikna, dek, drek, mallan nim (Indonesian) : gringging, marambung, mindi (Khmer) : dâk' hiën (Lao (Sino-Tibetan)) : h'ienx, kadau s'a:ngz (Luganda) : lira (Malay) : mindi kecil (Nepali) : bakaina, bakaino, bakena (Sanskrit) : mahanimba (Spanish) : Alilaila, Arbol enano, Lila, Lilayo, mal kohomba, Paraíso, Violeta (Swahili) : mmelia, mwarubaini nusu (Tamil) : malai vembu, mallay vembu, puvempu (Thai) : khian, lian, lian-baiyai (Tigrigna) : melia (Trade name) : persian lilac (Vietnamese) : c[aa]y xoan, s[aaf]u d[oo]ng, xoan d[aa]u (Yoruba) : eke-oyinbo Botanic description Melia azedarach is a deciduous tree up to 45 m tall; bole fluted below when old, up to 30-60 (max. 120) cm in diameter, with a spreading crown and sparsely branched limbs. Bark smooth, greenish-brown when young, turning grey and fissured with age. Leaves alternate, 20-40 cm long, bipinnate or occasionally tripinnate. Leaflets 3-11, serrate and with a pungent odour when crushed. Inflorescence a long, axillary panicle up to 20 cm long; flowers showy, fragrant, numerous on slender stalks, white to lilac; sepals 5-lobed, 1 cm long; petals 5-lobed, 0.9 cm long, pubescent; staminal tube deep purple blue, 0.5 cm long, 1 cm across. Fruit a small, yellow drupe, nearly round, about 15 mm in diameter, smooth and becoming a little shrivelled, slightly fleshy. Seed oblongoid, 3.5 mm x 1.6 mm, smooth, brown and surrounded by pulp. Because of the divided leaves, the generic name is derived from the Greek 'melia' (the ash); the specific name comes from the Persian 'azzadirackt' (noble tree). Ecology and distribution History of cultivation This tree, well known as Persian lilac, is native to India but is now grown in all the warmer parts of the world; in many of these places it is naturalized. It is widely planted in Nigeria, for example. Natural Habitat A tree of the subtropical climatic zone, the natural habitat of M. azedarach is seasonal forest, including bamboo thickets, Tamarindus woodland. It is highly adaptable and tolerates a wide range of conditions; for example, the most frost-tolerant cultivars can be planted outdoors in sheltered areas in the British Isles. Geographic distribution Native : Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam Exotic : Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, China, Croatia, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Korea, Republic of, Lesotho, Malta, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tanzania, Tonga, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zanzibar Biophysical limits Altitude: 0-1800 m, Mean annual temperature: 23-27 deg. C, Mean annual rainfall: 350-2000 mm Soil type: Deep, fertile, sandy loam soils support the best growth. Reproductive Biology It flowers from March to May in the northern hemisphere, although some forms flower throughout the summer and even throughout the year. Propagation and management Propagation methods Fruit drop is limited, and ripe fruit clings to the branches for several months even after the leaves have fallen. Propagation is by direct sowing or by planting out seedlings or stumps; 85% germination may be expected in 2 months. Tree Management Under optimal conditions, M. azedarach grows fast. It is generally deciduous, but some forms in the humid tropics (e.g. in Malaysia and Tonga) are evergreen. Does not coppice well from large stumps, but excellent coppice is obtained from trees up to a girth of 0.9 m. The tree resprouts after cutting and regrows after pollarding, making it suitable for pole production. Germplasm Management Seed storage behaviour is orthodox. Viability is maintained for 1-3 years in hermetic storage at room temperature with 11-15 % mc. There are 470-2800 seeds/kg. Functional uses Products Fodder: Leaves are lopped for fodder and are highly nutritious. Fuel: Fuelwood is a major use of M. azedarach. It has a calorific value is 5100 kcal/kg. Timber: M. azedarach wood (the 'white cedar' of commerce), which resembles mahogany, is used to manufacture agricultural implements, furniture, plywood, boxes, poles, tool handles; it is used in cabinet making and in construction because of its resistance to termites. The density is 510-660 kg/cubic m. Lipids: Oil suitable for illumination has been extracted experimentally from berries. Poison: Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of leaves and seed reportedly control many insect, mite and nematode pests. However, because they contain toxic components, care is needed in their use. The fruit of M. azedarach is highly toxic to warm-blooded animals; the consumption of 6-8 fruit can cause nausea, spasms, and in children, even death. Medicine: M. azedarach is well known for its medicinal uses. Its various parts have antihelmintic, antimalarial, cathartic, emetic and emmenagogic properties and are also used to treat skin diseases. Dried ripe fruit is used as an external parasiticide; some toxic components are found in the seed oil, the oral intake of which may cause severe reactions and even death. Other products: Fruit stones make ideal beads and are used in making necklaces and rosaries. Services Shade or shelter: Widely planted as a shade tree in coffee and abaca (Musa textilis) plantations. Ornamental: A well-known ornamental grown, for example, as an avenue tree, for its scented flowers and shady, spreading crown. Intercropping: M. azedarach is a useful species for growing with crops such as wheat. It has been successfully planted with sugarcane. Pests and diseases The trees are attacked by fungi that cause brownish butt rot and brownish pocket rot. Certain larvae defoliate the tree and mine the leaves. Bibliography Albrecht J. ed. 1993. Tree seed hand book of Kenya. GTZ Forestry Seed Center Muguga, Nairobi, Kenya. Anon. 1986. The useful plants of India. Publications & Information Directorate, CSIR, New Delhi, India. Bein E. 1996. Useful trees and shrubs in Eritrea. Regional Soil Conservation Unit (RSCU), Nairobi, Kenya. Bekele-Tesemma A, Birnie A, Tengnas B. 1993. Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia. Regional Soil Conservation Unit (RSCU), Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA). Coates-Palgrave K. 1988. Trees of southern Africa. C.S. Struik Publishers Cape Town. Erkkila A, Harri S. 1992. Silva Carelica Forestry in Namibia 1850-1990. University of Joensuu. Faridah Hanum I, van der Maesen LJG (eds.). 1997. Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 11. Auxillary Plants. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands. Hocking D. 1993. Trees for Drylands. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. New Delhi. Hong TD, Linington S, Ellis RH. 1996. Seed storage behaviour: a compendium. Handbooks for Genebanks: No. 4. IPGRI. ICRAF. 1992. A selection of useful trees and shrubs for Kenya: Notes on their identification, propagation and management for use by farming and pastoral communities. ICRAF. Katende AB et al. 1995. Useful trees and shrubs for Uganda. Identification, Propagation and Management for Agricultural and Pastoral Communities. Regional Soil Conservation Unit (RSCU), Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA). Kayastha BP. 1985. Silvics of the trees of Nepal. Community Forest Development Project, Kathmandu. Lanzara P and Pizetti M. 1978. Simon & Schuster's guide to trees. Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York. Little EL. 1983. Common fuelwood crops. Communi-Tech Association, Morgantown, West Virginia. Mbuya LP et al. 1994. Useful trees and shrubs for Tanzania: Identification, Propagation and Management for Agricultural and Pastoral Communities. Regional Soil Conservation Unit (RSCU), Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA). Noad T, Birnie A. 1989. Trees of Kenya. General Printers, Nairobi. Perry LM. 1980. Medicinal plants of East and South East Asia : attributed properties and uses. MIT Press. South East Asia. Singh RV. 1982. Fodder trees of India. Oxford & IBH Co. New Delhi, India. Williams R.O & OBE. 1949. The useful and ornamental plants in Zanzibar and Pemba. Zanzibar Protectorate.
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Gautam Kadam, Melia grower in Kollegal

Sheela has set up a meeting with Mr. Gautam Kadam, Engineer turned Melia silviculturist in Kollegal, Karnataka. Will be visiting him before visiting Mr. Pugazhendi in Gundalpet. Has about 220 acres of land under Melia.

Interview with Mr. Ravindra Shenoi...Melia dubia

Melia seedlings best planted in June-July...seedling about 6'' to 8". Will grow to 3 feet very quickly and thereafter it is difficult to transport

2nd year thinning can fetch Rs. 75000 per acre...match industry can pay even twice the cost
per tonne 1000/tonne at farm...delivered at Erode etc. about Rs.1500/tonne

High calorific value...very suitable for energy plantation?!

I have passed on my email ID to Mr. Shenoi. He has been in touch with Karnataka Agricultural University, Hebbal, TNAU, SPIC etc.
In his opinion Mr. Pugazhendi is a phenom. He and 12 others are developing a 120 acre farm with 25 acres of Vadu Mangai and also hybrid lime.

Melia dubia contacts/resources

Pugazhendi, President South Karnataka Tamil Sangam Federation

Himavat Farms, PO Box 25
Gundalpattu 571111

Mobile: 09448054831

Near Chamrajnagar

growing Melia for plywood industry in partnership with Balakrishnan. Per cubic foot Rs. 200/5th year 15 Cubic feet per tree
08229-222104. Sheela talked to him. He is having 3 acres at home and another 10 acres in the larger farm at Gundalpattu. 100 km from
Sathyamangalam via Chamrajnagar
Planted 5' by 5'..1750 trees per acre..check..2nd year thinning to 10' by 10'...2 lakhs per acre for firewood
Seedlings from Mysore Ravindra Shenoi 9900182410
6" seedling grew to 15' in 8 months. Pits 1.5' by 1.5' by 1.5'.. drip irrigated...no fertilizer

Shri N.L Chandkumar, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Kolar
094498 31404

Shri Manjunath, DFO, Assistant Silviculturist, Karnataka Forest Service contact
Experienced in clonal propagation of Melia dubia seedlings
09449986521


Turmeric resource
Dr. M. Baluswamy
Bhavanisagar Agriculture Research Centre
Bhavanisagar
04295-240244
9443988445

2 Melia dubia seedlings planted in Nannilam along with a champaka

Had visited State Forest Research Institute on Saturday, 21 June, 2008 along with Sheela. Were shown around by Jain Allauddin, Deputy Conservator of Forests. Took some Melia dubia seedlings and walking bamboo planting material.