Melia Dubia Cultivation

Melia dubia are generally propagated by seeds itself by direct sowing or by planting out seedlings or stumps. Close to 85% germination may be expected in the first 2 months. Propagation of melias dubia through vegetative means is difficult but can be done. Melia Dubia is a fast growing tree. The nutrients requirement for Melia Dubia has not been worked out but research is underway. However it is being grown in different climatic and soil condition in India. Some farmers have applied chemical fertilizers whereas some others have not applied any fertilizers. The tree invariably comes up well irrespective of application of chemical fertilizers.” “The remarkable difference noticed in growth of melia dubia is when irrigation is used during summer and soil organic matter percentage is high. Further it is understood from the study of melia dubia in farmers’ fields that the response of the melia dubia to synthetic chemical fertilizers is not remarkable, whereas soil organic matter and soil depth is enough to allow fast establishment of roots.”

Some important tips

1. Enough water through rainfall or irrigation or drip

2. No water logging; drainage is important very much necessary id water logging occurs

3. Soil should be rich in organic matter –  addition to soil through FYM, vermi-compost, or other compost

4. Addition of VAM, azospirillum, phosphobacteria, and speudomonas. t.viride is advocated as it has long term impact

5. Inter-crop of leguminous family may be recommended during early years

6. Instead of synthetic chemical as nutrients, organic nutrient play a vital role in fast growth of melia dubia with quality timely yield in about 9-10 years

7. If soil is marginal and poor in terms of soil organic matter and nutrients, shallow depth of soil and water problem, then it is advocated to supply abundant quantity of organic matter in any form available in your location and NPK mixture at the rate of 25-50 grams per tree, two times, during onset of monsoon

8. Study your location and devise you nutrient application accordingly

Use of Organic Manure

“Since the organic carbon content is low, it is advisable to incorporate a lot of organic manure. Please use well decomposed sheep manure, poultry manure, vermicompost. All these are known to have high nitrogen content and will improve the plant stature gradually. 

“You need to add as much natural substance as the plants need in the long run. Make your own vermi-compost. I would recommend you make a mixture of decomposed leaves and other organic matter such as sugarcane fiber and azospirillum, phospobacteria and related stuff to set the soil fertility condition. I would also recommend spraying panchagavya to these plants and see the results in 2 – 3 months. Apply jeevamirtham to the roots at once in 15-day frequency. The cost of panchagavya application to a tree will be very less compared to that of the chemical fertilizers. It also boosts the immune system of the tree and makes it drought resistant.”