Growth performance of Melia dubia Cav. selections in South Gujarat
Research Type
Departmental Trail
Experiment Background
Melia dubia Cav. (Syn. Melia composita Willd.) is commonly known as Burma Neem is fairly large, deciduous and fast growing tree. It grows upto a height of ~20 m and straight cylindrical bole of ~ 9 m. Due to its wide distribution, the tree is capable of withstanding wide range of climatic conditions. It is occasionally planted for ornament and makes a handsome avenue and shade tree. The tree is cultivated in the arid, semiarid and semi moist areas. Due to its fast growth and multiple uses, it is emerging as a potential tree for growing under agro-forestry plantation in the North-Western states of India. The tree finds suitability in agro-forestry systems to increase fodder and fuel-wood production by utilizing on the bunds of rice fields, farm boundaries, and marginal land. In recent times, private plantations of Melia dubia are becoming more common in the regions upto the altitude of 1000 m to meet the ever growing demands of raw material in paper/pulp and veneer industry. The tree is good weed suppressor with rapid growth and produces easily worked timber. The wood is used for packing cases, cigar boxes, ceiling planks, building purposes, agricultural implements, pencils, match boxes, splints and catamarans. It is suitable for musical instruments, tea boxes and ply-board.
Keeping in view the fast growth, multiple uses, adaptability of the species to varied edapho-climatic conditions and characteristics of a promising agroforestry ideotype the indispensable need is to investigate potential of local germplasm of Gujarat in different locations.
Experiment Group
Forestry
Unit Type
(02)EDUCATION UNIT
Unit
(14)COLLEGE OF FORESTRY (ACHF-NAVSARI)
Department
(272)Silviculture and Agroforestry, COF, Navsari
BudgetHead
(352/12054/00)352/01/REG/04045
Objective
To evaluate growth and productivity of Melia dubia selections in South Gujarat.
Plot was alloted in 2019. Erlier this was used as sewage pond. In 2020-21 it was cleared of trees and bushes, laser levelled and plantation was done in March, 2022