TAMARIND (Tamarindus indica)
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.
Pests and diseases
Insects like Tribolium castaneum and fungi are serious problems in storage and field respectively. Spray application of endosulfan at 0.05% at the time of fruiting, when infestation starts, can control the storage beetle. Against powdery mildew damage, 0.1% dinocap is recommended.
Harvest and yield
Seedlings start to yield 8-10 years after planting whereas grafts and budded seedlings give yield after 4-5 years. Stabilized yield of 250 kg/tree is obtained from 9-10 years onwards. Harvesting is done from January to April. There is also a tendency of alternate bearing as in the case of mango.
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