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.GK’S FARM

VENEER FROM 7 YR OLD MELIA DUBIA TREE

3 ½ YRS OLD MELIA DUBIA TREE AT A FARMER’S FIELD IN ERODE.

PRUNING DONE TO REDUCE WIND DAMAGE BY MINIMIZING THE

CANOPY.

MELIA DUBIA NEWLY PLANTED AT A FARMER’S FIELD IN ERODE

1 ½ MONTHS OLDE MELIA DUBIA AT A FARMER’S 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.