Eucalyptus Farming
- Thread starter fkareem
- Start date
Cultivation Techniques for EucalyptusHi Everyone,
I need complete guidelines for growing Eucalyptus trees in Uttar Pradesh.
Thanks
Site factors
Eucalyptus camaldulensis is a common and widespread tree species. It
is a best suitable tree species for the areas which received rainfall from 250
to 600 mm at the same time it can also grow well in high rainfall areas
which receives as high as 1250 mm. The success of Eucalyptus is attributed
to its superiority to other trees in production of wood on infertile dry sites,
its tolerance of extreme drought and high temperature. This species occurs
on a variety of soil types from red or black soils to sandy alluvial soils. It
can also grow well in salt affected areas.
Planting stock
Seeds of IFGTB show about 15% improvement in growth when
compare to other local seed sources as the seeds. Seeds are being collected
from seed orchards established by IFGTB and sold to the farmers at the
cost of Rs. 10000/- per kilo gram.
IFGTB has released four Eucalyptus clonal varieties viz., IFGTBEC1,
IFGTB-EC2, IFGTB-EC3 and IFGTB-EC4 for cultivation in Tamil
Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. These clones are multiplied and supplied based
on prior request. About 20% improvement in yield is expected from these
clonal varieties.
Seed collection, processing and Nursery techniques
Seed are mixed with chaff and can be difficult to distinguish from
chaff. Seeds weigh approximately 700 seeds/gram (Ralph, 2003). About
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100 -500 germinant can come per gram of seed. The seeds with about 5%
moisture content can be stored for more than 10 years if they are placed in
hermetic containers at a temperature of 3 to 5 °C.
The texture of the medium of germination must be fine. A fertile
mixture of soils with sand in a proportion of 1:1 must be used. Seed should
be sown under shade on a free-draining and sterilized medium and covered
very sparingly with inert material (e.g. sand). Seeds must be sowed deep
enough to prevent uncovering when watered, but they must not be too
embedded. The germination period for this method ranges from 4 to 5
days. The seedlings are lifted from the mother bed when they are 5 to 7 cm
in height and transplanted in poly bags. Alternatively, seeds can also be
planted directly into bags using special devices, such as syringes, to place
two to four seeds in each bag.
Partial shade is needed after transplanting till six weeks. Plants reach
plantable size of 30 cm in four to five months. Seedlings require periodic
watering in the first stages of development. Common mistakes in
propagation are over-watering and associated disease problems, overshading
and allowing the germinants to become too large for easy
transplanting leading to malformed tap roots or root curling in the pots.
To prevent damping off, cupric fungicides should be applied. About 1-2
lakhs seedlings can be obtained from 1 kg of seed in nurseries.
Plantation management
Weeding and burning of underbrush are recommended before
planting. The ability of the species to compete with weeds is poor. In high
rainfall areas, extensive weeding (2-3 times) must be applied until crowns
close (2-3 years). Inadequate weed control may lead to complete failure of
the planting.
A spacing of 3 m x 2 m (1667 stems/ha) is often applied for pulpwood.
Wider spacing of 4 m and 2 m (1250 stems/ha) or 5 m x 2 m (1000 stems/
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ha) are recommended when larger trees are required. For energy
plantations, a spacing of 2x2 m is recommended.
Application of 100g of NP or NPK (3:2:1) fertilizer to each tree at
planting to assist establishment of growth is common. Crown die-back
during dry-season as a result of boron deficiency is prevalent in few places.
A dosage of 10-20 g of borax per tree depending on soil type is applied.
In India, Eucalyptus is managed through clear-felling system followed
by coppice rotation to a maximum of three times. After three rotations,
the below ground biomass is taken out and replanted with seedlings.For
pulpwood depending on the fertility and availability of water, the rotation
can fixed from 5 year to 7 years.
Agroforestry practices
At a spacing of 3 x 2 m intercropping can be carried out for one year. In
irrigated sites, shade loving crops can be cultivated during second year
also. A wide range of crops can be grown when the spacing is 5 m x 2 m
which supports intercropping up to three years.
Yield
In Tamil Nadu, about 25-30 t/ha at a rotation of 6-7 years was realized
through seed raised plantations during early 1990’s. Introduction of clones
increased the yield up to 60-70 t/ha in six years rotation. Through siteclone
matching, a yield of 100-150 t/ha was achieved in five years rotation
depending on the fertility level of the soil.
Important insect pest and diseases
In the nursery, it is susceptible to diverse fungi causing damping-off,
collar rot and leaf diseases. Attention to nursery hygiene and care not to
over-water are preferable to chemical controls. Termites affect planted
seedlings young trees and must be chemically controlled. Eucalyptus is
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severely attacked by an invasive gall insect (Leptocybe invasa) which lead to
formation gall like structure in the midrip and petiole and young stem.
The problem is severe in young seedlings and coppice shoots. Chemical
treatments do not found to be suitable.
Uses
Wood is used mainly for poles, posts, fire wood, charcoal and paper
pulp. It is also used for hardboard and particle board.
Regards
T.Ramu., B.Sc., ( Agri ) MBA
Seed Inspector ( Agricultural officer )
Department of seed certification and organic certification
Government of Tamilnadu
Chennai
Email : ramuth24@gmail.com
Mobile : 9087286480, 9629897302