Production technology of palmyrah.......ppt

This PPT is about Production Technology of Palmyrah.
Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer) is a highly versatile palm cultivated for its fruit, sap, fiber, and wood, particularly in tropical regions.
It thrives in arid and semi-arid areas, providing crucial economic benefits to farmers.
The production technology of Palmyrah includes site selection, propagation, nursery management, and planting systems.
Effective practices in water, nutrient, and weed management, along with intercropping and mulching, help boost productivity.
Advanced varieties like SVPR-1, known for higher sap yield, further enhance its commercial value.
Proper management ensures a sustainable, long-term yield from this important crop.

1. PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF PALMYRAH By P.Sriram B.Sc.(Hons) Agriculture Hort204 Production Technology of Fruits and Plantation Crops 2(1+1)

2. INTRODUCTION Palmyrah ( Borassus flabellifer ) is a highly versatile palm cultivated for its fruit, sap, fiber, and wood, particularly in tropical regions. It thrives in arid and semi-arid areas, providing crucial economic benefits to farmers. The production technology of Palmyrah includes site selection, propagation, nursery management, and planting systems. Effective practices in water, nutrient, and weed management, along with intercropping and mulching, help boost productivity. Advanced varieties like SVPR-1, known for higher sap yield, further enhance its commercial value. Proper management ensures a sustainable, long-term yield from this important crop.

3. 1. Climate and Soil Requirements Climate : Palmyra thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. It is highly drought-resistant and can tolerate extreme temperatures ranging from 25°C to 40°C. It grows well in areas with an annual rainfall of 500 to 1000 mm. Soil : The tree is adaptable to various soil types but prefers well-drained sandy loam soils. It can also grow in saline and alkaline soils with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 8.5. Good aeration and drainage are crucial for optimal growth.

4. 2. Varieties Fruit Type-Based Groups: Black Skin Fruits: These fruits typically have a sweeter taste. Red/Golden Skin Fruits: These fruits are known for having a higher number of fruits and nuts per tree compared to black skin fruits. They are generally less sweet but more prolific.

5. 2. Varieties cont.   SVPR-1 (Released Variety) Released By: Palmyra Research Station, Srivilliputhur (T.N.A.U.). Type: Semi-dwarf variety. Yield: High padaneer (sap) yield of 298 liters per palm over a tapping duration of 95 days. Quality: The padaneer from SVPR-1 has a high jaggery content of 144 grams per liter, which is about 14.40%. It also has a high brix content, indicating good sugar concentration in the sap. These classifications and the SVPR-1 variety provide a useful guide for selecting Palmyrah palms based on desired traits, such as sweetness, yield, or sap quality.

6. 3. Propagation Seed Propagation : Palmyrah is typically propagated through seeds. Fresh seeds are preferred, as they have higher germination rates. The seeds are soaked in water for 24 hours before sowing to enhance germination. Vegetative Propagation: Although not commonly practiced, tissue culture and offshoots can also be used for propagation.

7. 4. Nursery Management Preparation : Seeds are sown in nursery beds or polythene bags filled with a mixture of sand, soil, and farmyard manure (FYM). The beds should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Transplantation : Seedlings are usually ready for transplantation after 8-10 months when they reach a height of 50-60 cm.

8. 5. Planting and Planting Systems Planting : Palmyrah seedlings are transplanted in the field during the rainy season. The spacing usually recommended is 10 x 10 meters. Planting System s: Palmyrah can be planted as a monocrop or in an agroforestry system alongside crops like groundnut, legumes, or even in coconut plantations.

9. 6. Cropping Systems Intercropping : Palmyrah is often intercropped with legumes, vegetables, and other short-duration crops, especially during the initial years of plantation. Multi-tier Cropping System : In some regions, Palmyrah is part of a multi-tier system with crops like coconut, groundnut, and sorghum, which maximizes land use efficiency.

10. 7. Aftercare Water Management: Palmyrah requires minimal watering after establishment. Young seedlings should be watered regularly until they are well-established. Mature trees are highly drought-resistant. Nutrient Management: Organic manures, such as FYM or compost, are applied annually to improve soil fertility. Inorganic fertilizers like NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) are also used based on soil testing. Weed Management : Regular weeding is necessary, especially during the early growth stages. Mulching can be employed to suppress weed growth and retain soil moisture.

11. 8. Mulching Mulching with organic materials like dry leaves, straw, or coir pith helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure. 9. Special Horticultural Practices Pruning : Regular removal of dead or diseased leaves and old fruit stalks improves the health and productivity of the trees. Girdling : A technique used to improve fruit yield by partially removing a ring of bark from the trunk.

12. 10. Maturity Indices, Harvest and Yield Maturity Indices: Palmyrah fruits are harvested when they turn from green to yellow or orange. The sap is collected when the male or female inflorescences are about to bloom. Harvesting : Fruits are harvested by climbing the tree. Sap is extracted by tapping the inflorescences, a process that requires skill. Yield : A well-maintained Palmyrah tree can produce 200-400 fruits annually and about 10-20 liters of sap per day during the tapping season.

13. 11. Pests and Diseases Common Pests: Palmyrah is relatively pest-resistant, but it can be affected by rhinoceros beetles, termites, and scale insects. Diseases : Leaf spot and root rot are occasional problems. Proper cultural practices and pest management strategies are recommended to mitigate these issues.

14. 12. Processing and Value Addition Processing : Palmyrah fruits are processed into various products like jaggery , toddy, palm sugar, and handicrafts from the leaves and wood. Value Addition : The sap can be fermented to produce toddy, distilled into arrack, or processed into palm sugar. The fruits are used to make sweets, syrups, and other culinary products.

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