Babul

Contents Preface I. Introduction II. Botanical Description III. Classification of the Species IV. Climate and Soil V. Phenology VI. Natural Regeneration VII. Artificial Regeneration VIII. Diseases and Pests IX. Harvesting X. Growth XI. Uses. Preface Babul is a nitrogen fixing tree found growing in tropical arid and semiarid regions in India. It is an extremely useful tree for fuel, timber, fodder, tannin etc. It is drought resistant and survives on difficult sites. It is a good tree for silvi-pastural systems. It is considered to be a very suitable tree for developing social and agro forestry. Dr. K T. Chandy, Agricultural & Environmental Education I. Introduction Babul is an extremely valuable tree for fuel, timber, fodder, charcoal tannin etc. It belongs to the family Leguminosae. It is known as babul, kikar in Hindi, jali in Kannada, Karavelum in Malayalam and Neliatumma in Telugu. It is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and mostly found in Tropical Africa, Burma, Srilanka, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and in West and East Sudan. In our country, natural babul forests are generally found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Karnataka. However, these trees occur naturally and also widely planted in almost all the states. lI. Botanical Description Babul is scientifically known as Acacia nilotica. It is a medium sized tree up to 10 mts in height with 60-80 mts crown diameter. The crown is flattish or umbrella shaped with feathery foliage. It is easily identified by its yellow, sweet scented flowers and dark black bark. The bark is with longitudinal fissures. Twigs carry stout.stipular spines, 1.5 -5 cms long, straight, white, sharply pointed. Leaves are bipinnate, 2.5 -5 cms long and leaflets are small, linear, glabrous and 10-20 pairs in number. Flowers are yellow, fragrant in axillary globose heads generally appear during rainy season between June to September but sometimes in December and January. Pods are quite distinctive. They look like a, string of beads and flattened. They are solitary, 7-15 cms long, 1.2-1.5 cms broad full size by February-March and ripe in May-June. III. Classification of the Species Acacia nilotica is a complex species and has a number of sub-species. Presently nine sub-species are known. These sub-species have been differentiated mainly on the basis of the

shape, size and degree of pubescence of the branches, pod characteristics, shape of the crown and tree habitat. 1. Acacia nilotica sub sp. nilotica The branchlets of this sub species are generally glabrous to sub-glabrous or rarely pubescent. The arrangement of pods is necklace like, regularly constricted between the seeds having a smooth surface devoid of hair. 2. A. nilotica sub sp. indica The young branchlets of this sub species may vary from sub-glabrous to thinly pubescent. Pods are arranged necklace like, narrowly clogged between the seeds and are densely white tomentose. 3. A. nilotica sub sp. cupressiformis This sub-species bears a characteristic crown which make it conspicuous and identifiable from other sub-species of A. nilotica. The tree has a narrow erect cypress like crown. The branches tend to go upwards and make a narrow angle with the main stem. 4. A. nilotica sub sp. tomentosa The young branchlets of this species are densely white tomentose. The pods are arranged in the form of a necklace, slightly constricted between the seeds. 5. A. nilotica sub sp. adstringens The young branchlets are very hairy and only rarely pubescent. The arrangement of the pods differ with other species. They are not necklace like, margins distinctly and often irregularly crenate and its width varies from 1.2 -22 centimetres. The surface of the pod is densely tomentose. 6. A. nilotica sub sp. subalata The branches are densely pubescent to sub tomentose. The pods are not necklace like. They are oblong with their margins flattened, straight or sometimes slightly crenate, usually 1.52.5 cms wide, densely and persistently sub-tomentose allover. It differs from the sub sp. adstringens having longer indumentum having covering on the branchlets. 7. A. nilotica sub sp. kraussiana The branches of this are generally more or less densely pubescent. The pods are not necklace like. They are oblong with margins more or less superficially crenate. The s.eeds are initially glabrescent and become hairless and shining black when dry. 8. A. nilotica sub sp. leiocarpa The young branchlets of this are glabrous and sometimes puberlous. Pods are not necklace like. They are oblong with straight margins or rarely crenate, hairless, narrow, 1- 1.3 mtrs wide. 9. A. nilotica sub sp. hemispherica The tree has a hemispherical crown, trunk is not clearly demarcated and the branchlets are pubescent only for some- time. The pods are not arranged in the form of a necklace, but oblong with straight margins to slightly crenate, 1.1-1.3 cms wide, with very short simple puberulence. IV. Climate and Soil

This species grows well in tropical and sub-tropical regions of India. The maximum temperature under which it can grow varies from 40-47.5 and thrives best in areas having an C average rainfall of 200-1270 millimetres. It is fairly resistant to drought and requires abundant light for growth. It is sensitive to frost. It is mainly found growing in plains or gently undulating grounds and ravines. It grows best on the alluvial soils in riverian areas subject to periodic inundations. It also flourish- es even in alkaline soils. A considerable amount of moisture in the soil is essential for its success. Even the existence of saline water in the sub-soil is not injurious. V. Phenology The new leaves appear from March -May while the old leaves begin to fall just before the appearance of new leaves .; but some old leaves stay on as the new leaves sprouts thus the tree is seldom leafless. Flowering is irregular, generally from June-September, but some trees flower from the early age of about 3 years .and seed each rear. The pods develop rapidly and attain full size by February and March and ripen in April/May-June. The seeds are dark brown with a hard testa. Five year old trees commence to bear fruits. VI. Natural Regeneration Natural reproduction is through seed and seedling coppice. The animals feeding on pods disperse the seeds which germinate during the monsoon months. Adequate light, moisture, soil conditions and weed competition determine the establishment. Soil aeration and drainage are important factors since Impeded drainage may effect the germination. Seedlings require protection from browsing animals. VII. Artificial Regeneration Usually the tree is propagated artificially by seeds and rarely by seedlings. Though direct seeding is common, the results are not very encouraging, due to browsing, weed competition and inadequate soil moisture. Plantations can be raised by direct sowing or by seedlings raised in containers but the former is more common. Seeds are dark, black-brown in colour, smooth compressed, 7-8 mm in diameter with hard seed coat. One kilogram seed weigh 5500-11,6000 seeds. Ripe pods are collected, dried and thrashed to separate the seeds which are cleaned by winnowing. The ratio of seed to husk weight is about 3:2 and 7-11 seeds weigh a gram. Seeds if stored in airtight containers do not lose their viability for about 3 years. Pretreatment of seeds before sowing softens the hard seed coat and facilitates germination. There are three methods of seed treatment. i. By immersing in cold water for 48 hours. ii. Hot water immersion at 80 for half-an-hour. After treating with hot water the seeds are C soaked in ordinary water for 24 hours prior to sowing. iii. Soaking in sulphuric acid (90%) for 10-30 minutes would also soften the seed coat. After soaking, the seeds are washed and dried prior to sowing. Out of the above methods the hot water treatment is safe, quick and effective and thus recommended. A. Direct sowing For plantation on wastelands, direct sowing is done in patches dug to a depth of 20 cms deep spaced at 3 x 3 mts distance which are prepared during March-April. In winter, half filled

pits of 50 x 30 cms size can be prepared for direct sowing. Normally direct sowing is done by broadcasting (seed rate 2.5 -3 kg/ha) or by dibbling in lines or patches or by mound sowing during June and the required seed rate is one kg per hectare. Germination is completed in a fortnight giving about 60-70% germination. Regular weedings are recommended. Seedlings are thinned out while weeding. Sowing on mounds and ridges about 25 cms high are prepared 5 mts apart with provision for proper drainage. B. Nursery raising For roadside strips and along field bunds, use of polythene bag-raised-seedlings is recommended. Polythene bags of (150 gauge) 5 cms diameter and 22 cms long are filled with a soil mix (soil and compost in 2:1 ratio) and treated seed is sown at a depth of 1.5 cms in the bag during May. One kg of seed is sufficient for 4,000 bags. The bags are regularly watered for the initial one month and weeding is done. The seedlings are ready for planting during July. Pits of 30 cubic cm are dug at a distance of 3 x 3 mts (for strips) and, 4-5 mts for since row planting along the boundaries. Thinning is done during the 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th year and spacement equal to the height of the trees at successive thinning is kept C. General cultural practices Watering in the nursery is done frequently, till the seed germination terminates. After germination, 2-3 waterings a week are sufficient. Watering is one of the most important operation which decides the growth rate of seedlings. Young seedlings have to be weeded regularly for 2-3 months. Shade is provided in the early stage in the nursery. Hardening is a necessary process for seedlings developed in the nursery. Seedlings are kept in the nursery under constant care while they develop. The good seedlings are selected and placed in separate beds when they are giver. Less water and exposed to the sun gradually to condition them for planting out Normally seedlings attain 30-40 cms of height in 6 months. Experiments indicates that medium sized stock, between 30-40 cms tall with woody root collar, has a better survival. The seedlings should be transplanted at this stage when the root-shoot ratio is optimum. Further growth of shoot leads to imbalance in root shoot ratio. VIII. Diseases and Pests Babul is liable to be damaged by many groups of insect pests and diseases. A. Diseases In diseases Ganoderma root rot, collar rot, dieback and charcoal rot are important. Ganoderma root rot can be controlled by clear felling, removal of old stumps and residual roots and rootlets. Soil drenching with carbendazin fungicides would control the collar rot. Die back is prevented by using copper fungicides like blitox at the rate 0.2 per cent. A spray with dithane or bavistin (0.1%) will control charcoal root rot. Avoiding water logging condition will avoid the onset of root rot. B. Pests There are several pests that attack this tree. 1. Stored seeds may be damaged by the adult forms of Aracerus suturalis which can be controlled by spraying endosulfan or malathion. 2. Larvae of Celosterna scabrator damages the roots of young trees. This can be controlled by drenching with 0.3% aldrin. 3. Foliage feeders like Diapromorpha balteata can be controlled by broad spectrum insecticides like malathion, sevin, endosulfan, monocrotophos at the rate of 0.01- 0.1 per cent.

4. Nymphs of Hamaspidoproctus cineres feed on the sap of leaves and shoots. Drenching of roots with 0.3% emulsion of aldrin or spraying of 0.1% carbaryl and 0.02% monocrophos can prevent this pest. 5. Pods and seeds are affected by the larvae of Cryptophelebia illepida which feed on them. Spray with endosulfan or tetrachlorovin-phos may control this damage. IX. Harvesting Babul forests are generally managed on a rotation of 30- 40 years. Trees planted in agro-forestry plantations are generally harvested on shorter rotations. In forests, the trees are generally marked for felling during December-January and felling is carried out from February to April. The timber and firewood is sorted out and timber is transported to depots by April-May. Harvesting should be completed by June before the onset of the monsoons. X. Growth The growth statistics of Acacia nilotica are available and the data is given in table 1. Sl.No 1 2 3 4 5 6 XI. Uses Almost every part of the babul tree is utilized for some purpose. 1. Firewood The wood is a popular fuel and charcoal wood. The sap wood is white and heartwood is pinkish brown turns reddish brown on ageing. The calorific values for sapwood and heart- wood are 4800 kcals and 4950 kcals per kg wood respectively. The wood is heavy having specific gravity 0.67-0.68. The fast growing tree under irrigation is harvested on a 20 year rotation and adds about 2-3 cms in diameter each year. A protective forest raised with Acacia nilotica sp. in ravined area of Agra gave an yield of about 2 tonnes per hectare per year of fuel wood from around 580 trees of 140-1000 crns height. 2. Timber wood The wood is hard, tough, resistant to termites and impervious to water. It is widely used for construction as posts, rafters, beams and indoor frames. It is used for carving, boat building and turnery. It is a favourite wood for sugar and oil presses, persjan wheels tent pegs and hammer handles. It is one of the most favoured timbers for all types of agricultural implements like ploughs, harrows, crushers and rice pounders. Regarding the working and finishing properties of wood, it is an easy wood to convert and resaw when green, but it becomes harden and tougher when seasoned. It works well by Characteristics Average diameter (cms) Maximum diameter (cms) Main avg. height (mts) No. of trees/ha Total volume (cu.mt/ha) Total yield (cu.mts/ha) Crop age (years) 5 10 7.36 13.71 12.19 20.83 8.22 11.58 538 246 10.19 22.08 11.46 26.58

15 18.79 26.92 14.02 155 35.53 44.99

20 22.6 31.92 16.15 120 45.49 61.44

25 25.14 34.29 17.67 99 50.26 73.39

hand machines and finishes to a good surface. Its working quality index based on quality of worked surface and ease of working is 84 compared to 100 for teak. 3. Tanning material The bark and pods are used widely in the leather industry. The bark is obtained mainly as a by product when trees are felled for timber or fuel. It is separated by beating the logs with wooden mallets and the strips obtained are dried in the open chipped into smaller pieces and sent to tanneries without grading. The proportion of bark to wood is roughly 1:5 by weight. A 15 year old plantation of about 620 trees per hectare may yield about 5 tonnes of bark per hectare. The whole pod of babul contains about 12-19% tannin and that devoid of seeds will have 18-27% tannin. 4. Medicinal uses The leaves, bark, gum and pods are used for medicinal purposes. The tender growing tops and leaves are used as a douche ill cases of gonorrhea, dropsy and leucorrhoea. Pulp of leaves, decoction of bark and the gum are prescribed in diarrhoea, dysentery and diabetes. A paste made of the burnt leaves with coconut oil makes a very efficacious ointment for itching. The leaves and the gum are used for gargling for relaxing sore throat and spongy gums. Decoction of leaves is also us~d as wash for bleeding ulcers and wounds. 5. Fodder and feeding value The palatability rating of leaves is good and thus used as fodder. The tree leaves and pods form the chief diet for sheep and goats. Leaf analysis was done on a dry matter basis showed that the leaves contain 13.9% crude protein, 9.2% crude fibre 69.8% nitrogen free extract, 7.1 % ash, 0.1 % phos- phorus, 2.6% calcium and 0.4% magnesium. The pods of babul are a favourite fodder for goats. Ripe pods on a drymatter basis contain 11-15% crude protein, 8.4-21.4% crude fibre, 51-71% nitrogen free extract, 5-7% ash, 0.81-1.09% calcium and 0.10.2% phosphorus. 6. Other uses It has got lot of other important uses. a. The gum obtained from this tree is known as "Indian Gum arabica". b. The wood from Acacias is good for paper and pulp making. But babul wood being valued in making agricultural implements and house construction is rarely avail- able for pulp making. c. In Rajasthan, during acute scarcity, the babul seeds are roasted and eaten. Air dry seeds contain moisture 8.83% crude protein, 26.4% crude fibre 2.7%, free extract 62.9%, total ash 4.7, calcium 673 mg/100 gm, phosphorus 420 mg/100 gm and iron 4.9 mg/100 gIn. d. Dry stuffs can be prepared by boiling the pods, leaves and bark in varying proportions and occassional additions of wood extract. Variety of colours from yellow to black through brown can be obtained. e. Thorny branches of babul are useful as fencing material. %%%%%%%%