Casurina cultivation help required

[vishnusankar]

Dear Friends,

I came across an interesting article in the USDA (U.S Dept. of Agriculture) website where the Casuarina Equestifolia is considered as a highly invasive weed threatening native plants in the coastal areas of the United States.

Entomologists are giving more attention to insects which can effectively decrease Casuarina reproduction and spread.

Read more about the research in this link.

This information is not to discourage the casuarina growers. In India, Casuarina cultivation is still a very good venture and never will be cosidered as invasive as construed in the other side of our planet.

Regards
Vishnu Sankar

[indoisrael]

Originally Posted by vishnusankar

Hi Venki

It is better u go for the hybrid variety Casuarina Jhunghuniana clones instead of the local Casuarina Equestifolia seedlings.

Here is a list of some useful information about Casuarina Jhunghuniana:

Casuarina junghuhniana is a fast growing and highly drought-tolerant species, and it is mainly propagated by vegetative means.

A LOW-cost micro-propagation technique for mass multiplication of male sterile hybrid Casuriana junghuhniana variety has been successfully developed by The Forest Department of Tamilnadu at it's research facility / nursery at Neyveli. Training and dissemination of information are free of cost.

Planting distance: Spacing 4x3 feet. About 3,600 cloned seedlings are required for planting in one acre.

You can get plants from: Tamilnadu Forest Dept, Seshasayee paper board, Erode and TNPL, Pugalur, karur.

The plant attains maturity in 36 -42 months. It has nitrogen fixing root nodules and hence, dependability on nitrogen supplement is less.

The current procurement price by the TNPL, Karur and Seshasayee paper board, Erode is about Rs.2,000 per tonne or the market price prevailing at the time of harvesting the produce (cutting and transport charges will be borne by the company). Good quality poles fetches upto Rs.3500 / ton at Bangalore and Bombay market.

Credit facilities :
The paper companies also arranges credit facilities through nationalised banks at Rs.20,000 per acre and harvests the wood after 36 months

Approximate weight of one tree after 3.5 years: 18 - 20 kgs

Cost of cultivation in a acre for 3.5 years:
Cost of plants 3600 x Rs.3.00 Rs. 10800
Land preparation, irrigation
weeding and others approx. Rs. 39200
TOTAL Rs. 50000

Yield and income:65 Tons / Acre
@ Rs 2000 Rs.130000

Net Profit in 3. 5years /Acre Rs. 80000


A good profitable crop. Marketing is easier. Unlike Equestifolia, ratoon crop is possible in Jhunghuniana. Enhances the fertility of the degraded soils by fixing "N' and by increasing the OC content appreciably. Adaptable to any soil type. Growth is stunted in heavy clay and sodic soils. Moisture loss of the felled tree is very high, so market it immediately.

For more specific information send private message /mail.

vishnusankar

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Dear MEMBERS and FRIENDS of farming community

Ratoon crop is possible in Jhunghuniana[/b] is a false claim .., but still people claim such ratoon crop in this hybrid sp ..,

No such ratroon crop was available and Practiced in OUR 20 YEARS of Agronomical experince in this field / CROP ..,

We request to Mr Vishnusankar to give some brief data on this ratoon crop claim .., for the benefit of all the members .