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TAMARIND
(Tamarindus indica)
(Ad hoc recommendation by KAU)
The
tree is particularly well adapted to semi-arid tropical
regions, but can be grown in heavy rainfall areas too,
provided the soil is well drained. It is adaptable to
poor soil also.
Propagation
technique
It is propagated by means of seeds, grafts and budding.
Healthy seeds are sown in polybags and seedlings are transplanted
at 40-60 cm height. Due to erratic bearing of seedling
progeny, grafts are successfully used as propagules. Side
grafting, inarching and patch budding are commonly practised.
Budding is done on nine-month-old saplings for higher
success.
.
Cultural
operations
Plants of 40-60 cm height are planted during June to November
at 10 x 10 m spacing in pits of 1 m3 size incorporated
with 15 kg of FYM. Regular watering till the plants establish
in the field is a must. Leader shoot is cut at 3 m above
ground level to induce scaffold branches. Organic manures
are generally used. Intercropping with vegetables, groundnut
and sesame can be done till the fifth year.
.
Insects
like Tribolium castaneum and fungi are serious problems
in storage and field respectively.
Against
powdery mildew damage, 0.1% dinocap is recommended.
Seedlings
start to yield 8-10 years after planting whereas grafts
and budded seedlings give yield after 4-5 years.. Harvesting
is done from January to April. There is also a tendency
of alternate bearing as in the case of mango.
Stabilized
yield of 250 kg/tree is obtained from 9-10 years onwards
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