Presentation on Melia dubia

by Prof. Dr. G. Kumaravelu

(Dec 2012)

Melia dubia, the fastest growing tree of the World yielding the highest Biomass from unit area (acre or hectare) has been introduced as a high density, short rotation crop by Dr. G. Kumaravelu. The selected clones have the potential to yield up to 200 MT (green) per ha per year, under favorable, fertigated, productive potential soils. The moisture percentage is around 40 and therefore about 100 to 120 oven dry ton of Biomass per ha per year is possible. This species extraordinary biomass yielding potential can be compared with the highest yielding, short rotation, high density temperate species like Salix or Populas which yield up to 50 to 60 oven dry MT / ha / year. Therefore, Melia dubia has proved to be the fastest growing and highest Biomass yielding tree in the World.

Products from Melia dubia Veneer Matchstick Pencil Wood Chips Activated Charcoal

5 ft x 5 ft

10 months old MELIA DUBIA CLONE GK1(named after the author Dr. Kumaravelu in the foreground) in tnpl, karur - AUG 2011. This clone was produced from a superior plus tree that had grown to 8mt height and 45cm gbh in 1 year.

MELIA DUBIA PLANTED ALONG WITH CASURINA

DR. GK MEASURING 4 YR OLD MELIA DUBIA TREE

4 YR OLD MELIA DUBIA TREE WITH 80 CM GIRTH

7 YR OLD MELIA DUBIA TREE WITH 120 CM GIRTH IN DR.GKS FARM

VENEER FROM 7 YR OLD MELIA DUBIA TREE

3 YRS OLD MELIA DUBIA TREE AT A FARMERS FIELD IN ERODE. PRUNING DONE TO REDUCE WIND DAMAGE BY MINIMIZING THE CANOPY.

MELIA DUBIA NEWLY PLANTED AT A FARMERS FIELD IN ERODE

1 MONTHS OLDE MELIA DUBIA AT A FARMERS FIELD IN ERODE

6 months old melia dubia. Note the superior growth of the tree towards the right side of the author Dr. GK. The height of this plus tree is 8mt and gbh 23 cm as on 25.12.12 (photo taken). Clones are being produced from this plus tree for a comparison please note the form and growth of the adjacent tree.

6 MONTHS OLD MELIA DUBIA - 25.12.12 (photo taken). A superior outstanding plus tree as compared to the normal phenotypes.

6 MONTHS OLD MELIA DUBIA 23cm GIRTH - 25.12.12 (photo taken)

Current market rate for Melia dubia (in Tamilnadu):

For matchstick Rs.6,000/- per ton For plywood Rs.7,500/- per ton

Current Yield & Value from normal seedlings:

5 year old tree 0.75 Tonnes / tree @ Rs.5,000 or More / Tree. @ Rs.400 / cubic feet. 10 year old tree Rs.15,000 to Rs.18,000 or More depending on the quality and the taper of the tree. Tree volume expected approximately to be 45 cubic feet. Girth 180 cm, Height clear bole 20 feet. Population: 450 Trees / Acre @ 3M x 3M Espacement for shorter rotation of less than 4 years. 250 trees / acre for longer rotations of 5 to 10 years. Therefore in 450 trees / acre, alternate trees can be removed aftrer 4 to 5 years depending on the rate of growth. The balance 225 trees can be nurtured to attain maximum girth of upto 120 cm gbh from 6th to 7th year and upto 150 cm from 8th to 10th year under good management practices.

FOR BIOMASS
Experiments had been conducted by the author for the past 5 years to arrive at an appropriate high density of planting for short rotation of 2 to 3 years to obtain maximum biomass that could be used for electric power production either through gassifier system or steam turbine models. It is inferred that depending on soil productive potential and input capacity of the management for water and fertilizer, any density between 5ft x 5ft (1744 numbers per acre) or 6ft x 6ft (1210 numbers per acre) maybe adopted. The yield per acre green can vary between 40 tonnes to 60 tonnes if appropriate clones are used. Clones matching to the soil types from pH 4 (acid soils) to pH 9 (alkaline soils) are being selected by the author and being propagated through young and talented graduates for supplying to the needs of genuine tree growers. For 1 MW it is expected that 1 to 1.5 acres per day have to be harvested to meet the feedstock requirements.