Technical Specification: Mango and Tamarind trees for Dry Lands

System: Mango and Tamarind for Dry Land

Variation: Mango, Tamarind, Jack Fruit, Jamun, Old Mango
Pongemia, Neem and Acacia Auriculiformis as wind break and for fuelwood

Summary
In dry land areas of North Kolar District, Karnataka, agro-forestry is a suitable system of land management.
Marginal farmers grow fruit trees and fast growing fuel wood species as wind breaks on the bunds.
Depending on the soil type, soil depth, water availability for the particular plot, and management capability
of the farmer family, various fruit trees are suitable.

Mango (grafted and old variety), Tamarind, Jack Fruit, and Jamun trees are planted in rows at a distance of 6
metres. Pongemia, Neem, and Acacia Auriculiformis are planted as windbreak trees for fuelwood, timber
and fodder for browsing by small livestock. Intercropping is carried out for the first 12 years.

Ecology
Agroforestry is a symbiosis of tree growing, crop production and livestock raising where each component is
beneficial to the other. Trees are selected on the basis of maximum benefits in terms of production as well as
soil fertility. In the present case, the local varieities of Mango, Tamarind, Jack, Jamun and Pongemia and
Neem are suited to the poor soil and low rainfall conditions of Gudibanda taluk, Kolar District. Farmers are
also encouraged to dig farm ponds for catching the 4 - 5 flash floods which bring upto half the annual
rainfall on their plots. This water management is an important element for plant survival. In the absence of
farm ponds, farmers irrigate their plots with water from borewells.

Whatever agroforestry systems in Gudibanda taluk there may have been have been degraded through years
of land partitioning and cash crop cultivation of groundnuts. Timber extraction and charcoal production
have also ruined old Tamarind stands. Farm trees are often in poor form due to indiscriminate lopping for
fire wood. But good examples of individual Mango trees and Tamarind “toops” (stands) may still be found.

The following are the important parametres for productivity for the chosen species:1

Mango

High 600-1200masl; deep, well-drained loamy soil, good sub-soil

needed; min temp > 0ºC > 38 ºC, rainfall > 800mm/yr. It does best
in comparatively dry regions which receive good rains from June
to September followed by a more or less dry spell in subsequent
periods. The quantum of rainfall is not as important as its
distribution.
Medium Boulders at 8 – 12 ft depth as there are in Gudibanda taluk
negatively affects productivity.
Low Rain during flowering and fruit-setting (February to April) is
harmful. Mineral nutrition of mango plants is an important
management practice to achieve good productivity of fruit and
growth of trunk.

Tamarind

High 600-1200masl, sandy soil, min temp >0ºC, rainfall > 500mm/yr.
Forest tree native to South India. Thrives in dry conditions.
Attains 20m+ height after 10 years. Hybrid varieties require
protective irrigation during establishment.
Medium Stony or shallow soils negatively affect growth
Low Prolonged temp > 40ºC
Management objectives

1
Fruit Growing, J.S. Bal, Kalyani Publ., New Delhi, 1997
The system is managed primarily for fruit. Intercropped legumes and groundnuts are harvested for the first
10 years or so. Fuelwood, fodder, and some timber may be taken in moderation which are assumed not to
make a substantial difference to the total standing biomass or the carbon flows of the plot.

Products

Fruit from Mango, Tamarind, Jack Fruit and Jamun.

Fuelwood from Pongemia and Neem.
Stakes and poles from Acacia Auriculiformis.
Fodder from ……………..
Small amounts of oil seed from Pongemia and Neem.

Hindupur 30 km from Varlakonda and other project plots is the largest Tamarind market in India. Mangos
from Kolar District are sold all over South India.

Other benefits
Home garden agro-forestry has a value in providing income security compared to groundnut cropping which
is highly dependent on suitable rainfall. It also prevents soil degradation and desertification. Biodiversity
may increase once tree species and other flora establish - and fauna may increase. Soil conservation is
improved on the slopes especially if farm ponds are added to the total management plan. Old variety Mango
will stand for over 100 years and will provide a variety of benefits including fruit, twigs, and leaves for
increasing the organic matter and the carbon content of the soil.

Income
With 100 Mango trees per acre the yield will be 500 - 1000 fruit per tree during years 10 - 20; 1000 - 3000
fruit per tree in the years 20 - 40. A first grade fruit weighs 300 gr. An income of Rs 8’000 to 10’000 after 5
years can be expected.
($ 250 - 400 p.a.)

Management practices
Establishment: 15 man days /acre, 380 seedlings
Maintenance: 150 man days per year
Total cost: Rs 4000 excluding labour.

Establishment:

The pits should be dug and filled with red earth, sand and manure. Irrigation channels should be dug and
wind breaks should have been planned one or two years before. Irrigation, training, hoeing, weeding and
staking to protect against high winds have to be carried out at regular intervals. Grafted plants should be kept
free of branching upto at least 75 cm height. As little pruning as possible should be done. Intercultivation is
necessary to control Mango mealy bug in November and December. Mangos grow well even in poor soils
due to their deep root system. But during the non-bearing period N P K should be applied.

Between the trees in the centre of the plot, legumes, millet and groundnuts are planted in rows upto the 12th
year. Thereafter intercropping will probably cease. As Tamarind does not allow such annual crops to come
up under its shade, Tamarind is placed at the edge and the corners of the field. The suitable hybrid varieties
of Mango are Ratnagiri Alfonso, Benisha, H 13, and Mallika. Suitable Hybrid Tamarind varieties are
Urigam, and local Red Tamarind varieties. The Jack Fruit and Jamun trees are placed suitably in the centre
of a hexagon of Mangos, and the Old Variety Mangos are planted on the bund between the Neem and
Pongemia and left to grow to their natural massive height.

Planting Density
In this Land Use System 100 Mango trees, 10 Tamarind trees, 10 Jack Fruit, 10 Jamun and 10 old variety
Mango are planted in rows at a distance of 6 metres.

Pongemia, Neem, and Acacia Auriculiformis are planted as windbreak trees for fuel and fodder at 2.5 m
spacing in 2 rows along the bunds, giving a total of 220 trees.
Harvesting/replanting
The trees are removed in the following cycles:

Mango grafted 100% every 40 years fuelwood

Tamarind 100% every 40 years ???
Jack 100% every 80 years ???
Jamun 100% every 30 years ???
Old Variety Mango 100 years +

Neem, Pongemia and Acacia Auriculiformis will be coppiced for fuel wood, and the leaves and twigs cut
for mulch.

Carbon Sequestration
Baseline
Baseline line assessment is made on the assumption that the land would not be in use at all, and would be
severely degraded with minimal soil cover and no trees except as counted in the baseline assessment of the
individual plot. It is assumed that even where farmers have access to a borewell, they do not have the cash to
develop their land. The baseline carbon for degraded land is assumed to be 16.4 tC/ha. This figure is based
on unpublished research carried out by the Centre for Ecological Science in Bangalore.

Where farmers already have trees planted on their land the baseline for above ground biomass is assumed to
be the number of trees present divided by the final planting density. (Note when counting trees already
present fuelwood species on bunds are not included – see comment below)

Carbon storage potential

The carbon storage potential is the increase in biomass due to the growth of the trees over 100 year period
taking into account the rotation period for each of the species.

The average carbon sequestration potential over 100 years is assumed to be 36.4 tC/ha (i.e. 20 tC/ acre over
a deg added land baseline). This fugure is based on unpublished research carried out by the Centre of
Ecological Science in Bangalore (see annex 2 for a description on this research and results). The actual
research resul;ts predict a standing carbon stock of 50 tC/ha for mango plantations and 306 tC/ha for
Tamarind. This latter figure is considered somewhat large and so a conservative estimate of 50 tC/ha has
been assumed for the long term average.

As the bund planting (Neem, Pongemia and Acacia Auriculiformis) will be coppiced for fuel wood, and the
leaves and twigs cut for mulch, the total standing biomass of these trees on the bunds has not been
considered.

Monitoring indicators
Monitoring targets are based on the number of main plot trees planted (i.e. excluding bund planting which is
assumed to have a low carbon value and has not been included in the carbon sequestration potential). The
final density will be 160 trees per acre.

Year 1 110 (80% trees planted at 85% survival)

Year 2 136 (100% trees planted at 85% survival)
Year 3 160 (100% trees planted at 100% survival

Later monitoring targets will be based on the growth of the trees.

Additional Comments
This technical specification has been written after consultation with farmers locally, and after 1 years
experience of managing a agro-forestry carbon offset project. It is currently under development and the
carbon offset potential of the LUS described has to be verified over the coming year through biomass
sampling of all chosen species.
 Women for Sustainable Development

Dry Land Agro-Forestry

Mango, Tamarind, Jack Fruit and Neem trees for Reclamation of Private Wastelands.

System: Dry Land Agro-Forestry

Variation: Mango, Tamarind, Jack Fruit, Neem

With Jamun, Seedling Mango, Pongemia Pinnata, Hardwickia Binata, Butea
monosperma, and Agave on the boundary.

Summary:
In dry land areas of North Kolar District, Karnataka, agro-forestry is a suitable system of land
management. Marginal farmers can grow 40 fruit trees per acre and fast growing fuel wood
species as wind breaks on the bunds. Depending on the soil type, soil depth, water availability for
the particular plot, and management capability of the farmer family, various fruit trees are
suitable.

Mango (grafted and seedling variety), Tamarind, Jack Fruit, and Jamun trees are planted in rows
at a distance of 6 metres. Pongemia, Neem, Acacia Auriculiformis, Butea and others are planted
as windbreak trees and for fuelwood, timber and fodder for browsing by small livestock.
Intercropping is carried out for the first 12 years and even thereafter intercropping can be
continued provided farmers are taught how to prune the fruit trees judiciously.

Ecology:
Agroforestry is a symbiosis of tree growing, crop production and livestock raising where each
component is beneficial to the other. Trees are selected on the basis of maximum benefits in
terms of production as well as soil fertility. In the present case, the local varieties of Mango,
Tamarind, Jack, and Pongemia and Neem are suited to the poor soil and low rainfall conditions of
Gudibanda taluk, Kolar

District. Farmers are also encouraged to dig farm ponds for catching the 4 - 5 flash floods which
bring upto half the annual rainfall on their plots. This water management is an important element
for plant survival. In the absence of farm ponds, farmers irrigate their plots with water from
Borewells if available, but otherwise 2 irrigation with water from a tractor tanker are sufficient
and thereafter the trees survive on their own. Any additional watering from Bindigas (water pots)
carried from which ever nearest water source is an added bonus and will serve the trees well.

Whatever agroforestry systems in Gudibanda taluk there may have been have been degraded
through years of land partitioning and cash crop cultivation of groundnuts. Timber extraction and
charcoal production have also ruined old Tamarind stands and other stands of endemic local trees
such as Hardwickia, Red Sander and what may have been available in the past. Farm trees are
often in poor form due to indiscriminate lopping for fire wood. But good examples of individual
Mango trees and Tamarind “toops” (stands) may still be found.

Women for Sustainable Development (India) 139/B 10th Main, Raj Mahal Vilas Extension, Bangalore 80, Karnataka.
e-mail: [email protected]; Tel +91 080 3332530, Fax +91 080 3360199. Women for Sustainable Development (India)
is a Trust registered in Bangalore on June 27th 1994 Registration No 273/95, Page No 91-95, vol. 306, no IV.
President: Anandi Sharan Meili; Trustees: Pradeep Esteves, Bharati, Mastan Vali Khan, Hari Sharan
 Women for Sustainable Development
The following are the important parametres for productivity for the chosen species:1

Mango

High 600-1200masl; deep, well-drained loamy soil, good sub-soil

needed; min temp > 0ºC > 38 ºC, rainfall > 800mm/yr. It does best
in comparatively dry regions which receive good rains from June
to September followed by a more or less dry spell in subsequent
periods. The quantum of rainfall is not as important as its
distribution.
Medium Boulders at 8 – 12 ft depth as there are in Gudibanda taluk
negatively affects productivity.
Low Rain during flowering and fruit-setting (February to April) is
harmful. Mineral nutrition of mango plants is an important
management practice to achieve good productivity of fruit and
growth of trunk.

Tamarind

High 600-1200masl, sandy soil, min temp >0ºC, rainfall > 500mm/yr.
Forest tree native to South India. Thrives in dry conditions. Attains
20m+ height after 10 years. Hybrid varieties require protective
irrigation during establishment.
Medium Stony or shallow soils negatively affect growth
Low Prolonged temp > 40ºC

Management objectives:
The system is managed primarily for fruit. Intercropped legumes and groundnuts are harvested
for the first 12 years without pruning of branches, and with pruning thereafter. Fuelwood, fodder,
and some timber may be taken in moderation
which are assumed not to make a substantial difference to the total build up of carbon and organic
matter in the soil. Part of the management objective is to increase the standing biomass in order
that the small farmers may benefit from income from sale of carbon sequestration services to the
global environmental community, once the financing mechanisms are in place. In the mean time
the main purpose is to improve the livelihoods of the poorest of marginal dry land farmers who
are too poor to improve their own small holdings and will benefit from small investments for long
term increased income on their own farms.

Products:
Fruit from Mango, Tamarind, Jack Fruit and Jamun.
Fuelwood from Pongemia and Neem.
Stakes and poles from Acacia Auriculiformis.
Fodder for small livestock from Neem and Harwickia Binata
Oil seed from Pongemia and Neem

1
Fruit Growing, J.S. Bal, Kalyani Publ., New Delhi, 1997

Women for Sustainable Development (India) 139/B 10th Main, Raj Mahal Vilas Extension, Bangalore 80, Karnataka.
e-mail: [email protected]; Tel +91 080 3332530, Fax +91 080 3360199. Women for Sustainable Development (India)
is a Trust registered in Bangalore on June 27th 1994 Registration No 273/95, Page No 91-95, vol. 306, no IV.
President: Anandi Sharan Meili; Trustees: Pradeep Esteves, Bharati, Mastan Vali Khan, Hari Sharan
 Women for Sustainable Development
Oil seed cake from Neem for fertiliser.

Hindupur 30 km from Varlakonda and other project plots is the largest Tamarind
market in India. Mangos from Kolar District are sold all over South India.

Other benefits:
Home garden agro-forestry has a value in providing income security compared to groundnut
cropping which is highly dependent on suitable rainfall. It also prevents soil degradation and
desertification. Biodiversity may increase once tree species and other flora establish - and fauna
may increase. Soil conservation is improved on the slopes especially if farm ponds are added to
the total management plan. Seedling variety Mango will stand for over 100 years and will provide
a variety of benefits including fruit, twigs, and leaves for increasing the organic matter and the
carbon content of the soil. Nutrition of the children of poor families will increase if they can pick
fruit from their own orchards.

Income:
With 40 trees per acre the yield will be 500 - 1000 fruit per tree during years 10 - 20; 1000 - 2000
fruit per tree in the years 20 - 40. A first grade fruit weighs 300

gr. Second grade fruit can be expected from dry land agro-forestry in Gudibanda taluk, weighing
200 gr.

20 Mango trees per acre x 400 fruit per tree after 6 years = 8000 fruit = 1600 kg of Mango x Rs
3/kg = Rs 4800
+
10 Tamarind trees per acre x 100 kg per tree after 6 years x Rs 5 = Rs 5000
+
5 Jack Fruit trees, 10 fruit per tree, Rs 50 per fruit = Rs 2500 per annum after 6 years

It is assumed that the rest of the produce from the orchard will not be sold. The intercrop will also
be used for the home.

An income of Rs 4800 + 5000+2500 = Rs 12300 after 6 years can be expected.

This assumes a certain dedication and consistency in maintenance by the women agriculturalists
who are trained to look after the trees, and it assumes continuous support and monitoring by
WSD.

Management practices:
Establishment: 40 pits dug with JCB mechanical digger.
Maintenance: 100 man days per year weeding, intercropping, watering, watch and ward.

Establishment:
The pits should be dug deep with the mechanical digger, and filled with red earth, sand and
manure if possible. Irrigation channels should be dug and wind breaks should have been planned
one or two years before. Irrigation, training, hoeing, weeding and staking to protect against high
winds have to be carried out at regular intervals. Grafted plants should be kept free of branching
upto at least 75 cm height. As little pruning as possible should be done. Intercultivation is
necessary to control Mango mealy bug in November and December. Mangos grow well even in

Women for Sustainable Development (India) 139/B 10th Main, Raj Mahal Vilas Extension, Bangalore 80, Karnataka.
e-mail: [email protected]; Tel +91 080 3332530, Fax +91 080 3360199. Women for Sustainable Development (India)
is a Trust registered in Bangalore on June 27th 1994 Registration No 273/95, Page No 91-95, vol. 306, no IV.
President: Anandi Sharan Meili; Trustees: Pradeep Esteves, Bharati, Mastan Vali Khan, Hari Sharan
 Women for Sustainable Development
poor soils due to their deep root system. But during the non-bearing period N P K should be
applied.

Between the trees in the centre of the plot, legumes, millet and groundnuts are planted in rows
upto the 12th year. Thereafter intercropping may continue with pruning of trees. As Tamarind
does not allow such annual crops to come up under its shade, Tamarind is placed at the outer
rows and the corners of the field.

The suitable hybrid varieties of Mango are Ratnagiri Alfonso, Benisha, H 13, and Mallika.
Suitable Hybrid Tamarind varieties are Urigam, and local Red Tamarind

varieties. The Jack Fruit trees are placed suitably in the centre of a hexagon of Mangos, and the
Old Variety Mangos are planted on the bund between the Neem and Pongemia and left to grow to
their natural massive height.

Planting Density:
In this Land Use System 20 Mango trees, 10 Tamarind trees, 5 Jack Fruit, are planted in wide
rows to allow intercropping, and 1 each Neem, Butea, Pongemia and Hardwickia and 1 seedling
Mango are planted on the boundaries.

Depending on extra tree availability, Pongemia, Neem, and Acacia Auriculiformis are planted as
optional extra windbreak trees for fuel and fodder at 2.5 m spacing in 2 rows along the bunds.

Harvesting/replanting:
The trees are removed in the following cycles:

Mango grafted 100% every 40 years for timber

Tamarind grafted 100% every 40 years for timber
Jack 100% every 80 years for timber
Neem 100% every 100 years for timber
Seedling Variety Mango 100% every 200 years +
Others As required

Neem, Pongemia and Acacia Auriculiformis will be coppiced for fuel wood, and the leaves and
twigs cut for mulch.

Carbon Sequestration:

Baseline:
Baseline line assessment is made on the assumption that the land would not be in use at all, and
would be severely degraded with minimal soil cover and no trees except as counted in the
baseline assessment of the individual plot. It is assumed that even where farmers have access to a
borewell, they do not have the cash to develop their land. The baseline carbon for degraded land
is assumed to be 16.4 tC/ha. This figure is based on unpublished research carried out by the
Centre for Ecological Science in Bangalore and WSD.

Where farmers already have trees planted on their land the baseline for above ground biomass is
assumed to be the number of trees present divided by the

Women for Sustainable Development (India) 139/B 10th Main, Raj Mahal Vilas Extension, Bangalore 80, Karnataka.
e-mail: [email protected]; Tel +91 080 3332530, Fax +91 080 3360199. Women for Sustainable Development (India)
is a Trust registered in Bangalore on June 27th 1994 Registration No 273/95, Page No 91-95, vol. 306, no IV.
President: Anandi Sharan Meili; Trustees: Pradeep Esteves, Bharati, Mastan Vali Khan, Hari Sharan
 Women for Sustainable Development

final planting density. (Note when counting trees already present fuelwood species on bunds are
not included)

Carbon storage potential:

The carbon storage potential is the increase in biomass due to the growth of the trees over 100
year period taking into account the rotation period for each of the species.

The average carbon sequestration potential over 100 years is assumed to be 26.4 tC/ha (i.e.
10 tC/ acre over a degraded land baseline). This figure is based on unpublished research
carried out by the Centre of Ecological Science in Bangalore and WSD. The actual research
results predict a standing carbon stock of 50 tC/ha for Mango plantations and 30.6 tC/ha for
Tamarind with much higher density planting. This latter figure is considered somewhat large for
the degraded land conditions in Gudibanda Taluk, and so a conservative estimate of 26.4 tC/ha
has been assumed for the long term average.

As the bund planting (Neem, Pongemia and Acacia Auriculiformis) will be coppiced for fuel
wood, and the leaves and twigs cut for mulch, the total standing biomass of these trees on the
bunds has not been considered.

Monitoring indicators:
Monitoring targets are based on the number of main plot trees planted (i.e. excluding bund
planting which is assumed to have a low carbon value and has not been included in the carbon
sequestration potential). The final density will be 40 trees per acre.

Year 1 27 (80% trees planted at 85% survival)

Year 2 34 (100% trees planted at 85% survival)
Year 3 40 (100% trees planted at 100% survival

Later monitoring targets will be based on the growth of the trees.

Additional Comments:
This technical specification has been written after consultation with farmers locally, and after 1
years experience of managing a agro-forestry carbon offset project. It is currently under
development and the carbon offset potential of the LUS described has to be verified over the
coming year through biomass sampling of all chosen species.

Women for Sustainable Development (India) 139/B 10th Main, Raj Mahal Vilas Extension, Bangalore 80, Karnataka.
e-mail: [email protected]; Tel +91 080 3332530, Fax +91 080 3360199. Women for Sustainable Development (India)
is a Trust registered in Bangalore on June 27th 1994 Registration No 273/95, Page No 91-95, vol. 306, no IV.
President: Anandi Sharan Meili; Trustees: Pradeep Esteves, Bharati, Mastan Vali Khan, Hari Sharan