I.          HANDLING OF CLONAL PLANTING STOCK
 

1. Minimum age of the clonal planting stock should not be less than 3 months from the date of setting of   cuttings.  In addition, it should be ensured that the plants should be hardened for at least 2 months from the date of shifting of rooted cuttings from the mist chambers to the hardening chambers.
2. After final grading and counting of plants kept ready for deliveries, clonal planting stock should be treated with 0.1% Lindane.  The treatment should be given by dipping the trays, including 5 cms. lower part of the stems of saplings, in the emulsion of anti-termite chemical one or two days prior to issue of the saplings.  Labourers engaged for such chemical treatment must use rubber gloves.
3. 0.2% Bavistin or Captan spray should be carried out on all clonal saplings just before delivery.
4. Clonal plants should be issued only after getting confirmation that the planting site has been prepared thoroughly and the irrigation channels & planting pits are ready for transplanting.
5. Light irrigation of the plants should be arranged on arrival of the clonal planting stock at the planting sites. Temporary storage under partial shade is recommended, if required. Arrange light irrigation twice a day till transplanting is completed. Stock received at planting sites in compact multi cavity root trainers should be retained in same trays on stands and irrigated twice a day.   Saline or alkaline water should not be used for irrigation.
6. The vermiculite should neither be too dry nor too wet at the time of removal of saplings from the individual tubes of root trainer trays.  A light irrigation during the previous evening and gentle tapping of the tube will facilitate easy removal of the plant from the tube with roots and the vermiculite in a compact mass.

II.  SITE SELECTION AND PREPARATION
 

1. It is extremely useful and desirable to study soil profiles, pH, electric conductivity and fertility status of soils before deciding to raise clonal plantations. Shallow rocky soils or saline and alkaline soils have serious limitations for optimum tree growth and high productivity. Many clones are not tolerant to saline / alkaline soils.
2. Areas with shallow soils less than 1M in depth or those with strong calcareous or lateritic pans must be avoided.  Likewise, areas with high alkalinity or salinity must not be planted.  Generally the pH should be less than 8.5 and electric conductivity less than 2 milliohms / cm.  Plants will suffer from chlorosis on saline, alkaline or calcareous soils.
3. Highly eroded sites or lands subjected to heavy water logging must also be avoided. Planting sites must be extremely well prepared by deep ploughing in either direction followed by harrowing.
4. Site specific clones adaptable to different kinds of problematic soils can be planted trials on similar sites. Suitable clones for moderately alkaline soils have already been identified.
5. The recommended spacing for clonal plantations is 3x2 M for production of poles and pulpwood.  . However, for timber production, initial spacing should be 4 x 2 M. 50 % trees will be thinned out at 4 to 5 years age and sold as poles. Balance 50 % can be retained at 4 x 4 M spacing until the requisite girth is reached at 8 to 10 years rotation. In case of slope or undulating terrain, the 3M or 4 M wide rows should be along the contours.  This will facilitate ploughing in between the 3M or 4 M wide rows along the contours to conserve moisture and prevent soil erosion
6. In case of level areas, the 3 M or 4 M wide spacing should be in the east and west direction and 2M spacing in the north to south direction.  This will ensure better exposure wider inter spaces   to sunlight.   Ploughing in between the lines in such cases will be in the north-south direction.
7. However, in the coastal districts subject to winds, the 3 M or 4 M wide spacing should be parallel to the prevalent wind direction.  This will ensure exposure of minimum number of trees to the onslaught of direct strong winds.  Clones susceptible to wind breaks should not be planted in the coastal areas.
8. Planting of Eucalyptus clones in single row avenues around farm boundaries, field bunds, farm roads and irrigation channels can be highly paying proposition for the farmers, provided such plantations can be effectively protected against damage by fire and cattle.  We recommend such single line avenue plantations wherever farmers can ensure proper protection.  The spacing in single line avenues can be 2 M apart for production of poles and 3 M apart for production of timber.
9. We recommend that each farmer should plant minimum 3 or preferably more genetically improved, high yielding and fast growing clones in separate blocks of each year's planting area to safeguard against possible future risks like epidemic diseases and pests. Intimate mixtures of clones are not recommended because of large differences in initial growth rates and likely logistics/ management problems.
10. A proper lay out design of the field showing details of specific clones planted should be maintained. This will facilitate monitoring and evaluation of comparative performance & superiority of various clones on different sites.

III. PLANTING OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
 

1. Planting pits must not be less than 30x30x30 cms. if prepared with spade.  If the pits for planting are dug with hand augurs, please dig up to 60 cms. depth Keep the fertile soil from upper 30cms depth separately. Mix equal quantity of very well decomposed farm yard manure with this top soil. Refill lower 30 cms. Part of the pit with this mixture.  Treat the balance mixture, which will be used for refilling remaining 30 cms. part of the pit after transplanting, with Lindane or Chloropyriphos @ 2 ml. thoroughly mixed in 1 litre of water.   There should be no weeds in the soil around the planting pit

2. Refill the lower 5 cms. of planting pits made with spade with treated soil.  Hold the clonal sapling in an upright position in the centre of the planting pit in such a way that lowest roots or the mass of vermiculite is 2 cms. above the level of soil in the planting pit.  Holding the sapling in this position, the treated soil should be refilled into the pit and gently compacted. After compaction, about 5 to 7.5 cms of the pit should remain unfilled for irrigation and holding rainwater.

3. In case of black cotton soils, aforesaid procedure should be modified.  Irrigation water is added to the planting pit after refilling the pit upto 3 cms. Level.  No compaction should be carried out after completing the transplanting operations.  Only 3 cms. upper part of the pit should be left unfilled to retain irrigation/rain water.

4. In case of inadequacy of natural rains, Irrigation or pot watering at 3 to 7 days interval  depending on the need , soil and climatic conditions , will be required till establishment of the transplanted clonal saplings

5. Any chemical fertilizer applied close to the roots or stem of the young saplings shall be positively injurious and harmful.  Therefore, avoid application of chemical fertilizers at the time of transplanting.  

6. As most of the soils are deficient in phosphorous and nitrogen, 50 kgs. Di -Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) per acre can be applied as basal dressing to the intercrop Likewise, if soils are known to be poor in potassium, 50 kgs Potash per acre should also be applied as basal dressing to the intercrop. However, it is advisable to decide the dose of various nutrients based on soil tests.

7. After the establishment of plants, first dose of nitrogenous fertilizer can be given as top dressing after weeding, @ 25 gms; Urea per plant.  However, the urea granules should be applied in the form of a ring, minimum 25 to 30 cms. away from the stem.  This should be followed by irrigation or the fertilizer should be applied during the course of a mild rain.  Any chemical fertilizer placed close to the stem may dehydrate and kill the plant.

8. During subsequent years of growth also the requisite quantities of fertilizers should be applied through broad-cast in the 3M wide rows followed by irrigation.  Where irrigation facilities are not available, such fertilizers should be applied when adequate moisture is available or when it is raining lightly.  Ploughing in between the 3M to 4 M wide lines should be carried out thereafter as soon as the soil is in proper moisture condition.

9. Farmers should be encouraged to apply farmyard manure to the entire field or raise green manure crops for ploughing back into the fields.  In any case of manuring, the FYM or chemical fertilizer should never be placed in contact with the roots or the stem.   There should be no FYM or fertilizer within a radius of 20 cms. from the stem of the young saplings.  Application of FYM and 25 kg/ha zinc sulphate will be helpful to minimize incidence of zinc deficiency and chlorosis.

10. Young plants are very sensitive to competition from weeds.  At least three weedings, in 50 cms. radius around the plants will be required every year during the first 3 years.  Care should be taken not to damage the saplings during weeding operations.

11. Ploughing in between the 3 M or 4 M wide rows of plants will help improve soil aeration, moisture conservation and control the weeds.  During first year, plough the wide strips after harvest of intercrops and arrange second ploughing at the end of monsoon rains.  During subsequent years, one ploughing after the first monsoon showers and sowing of green manure crops like sun hemp is recommended.  Green manure crop should be incorporated into the soil by ploughing just before flowering.

12. Use only tractors for ploughing in between the 3Mor 4 M wide rows.  Do not plough in cross direction unless the minimum spacing in either direction is more than 3 M.  Avoid injuries to the stems and roots of trees during ploughing operations.  20-30 cms. space on either side of the plant rows should not be ploughed but maintained free of weeds.
     

IV.              PROTECTION OF PLANTATIONS
 

1. White ants or termites often cause wide spread damage to young saplings.  Symptoms of damage by termites are sudden wilting of healthy saplings and drying of the leaves leading to death of the plant.  If such plants are pulled out, one can see girdling of the collar or roots by the termites.  If any such symptoms are noticed despite prophylactic treatment carried out as per recommendation at S.No.17, additional treatment of the soil around all the healthy saplings should be carried out immediately.   2 ml. of Chloropyriphos or Lindane should be applied per plant dissolved in 2 litres water.  Clean cultivation practices should be followed and irrigation should be provided wherever possible.

2. The farmers may please appreciate that   total protection of plants against damage by cattle and fire  is absolutely necessary.  No grazing should be permitted.

3. Likewise, prevention of damage to the plants during the ploughing operations should also be ensured.  Normal ploughing should be only in one direction in the 3 M or 4 M wide strips.

4. No crop residues should be burnt in or near the plantation areas as the young Eucalyptus trees are very sensitive to fires.  Even scorching hot winds, generated by the fires in adjoining fields, can damage the plants.  Therefore, farmers must take adequate precautions.

5. If the saplings are transplanted in 30 cms. deep pits, normally there will be no lodging.  In case of any incidence of lodging of young saplings, minimum necessary earthing up to support the plants should be carried out.  No stakes should be used.

6. All Eucalyptus clones are self-pruning.  No pruning of the branches should be carried out.  If any plant is severely damaged because of physical injuries or broken by the wind, the same should be coppiced back 5 cms above ground level.  If the wind damage is at a fairly high level in plants more than 1 year old, there is no need for coppicing such plants, as new leaders will emerge from the pollard shoots. Only forked or V shaped double leaders should be prevented in young plants by careful early pruning of co-leader.

V. BEST TIME FOR TRANSPLANTING

1. Beginning of the monsoon rains is the best time for transplanting.  Early transplanting ensures full benefit of the entire monsoon rains for optimum establishment and growth of the saplings.

2. If assured irrigation facilities are available, transplanting can be carried out any time during the year. However no transplanting is advised during frost prone months of December / January as frost may damage some clones. Likewise, avoid transplanting during extremely hot summer period between May to June, as there is possibility of high mortality rate because of desiccation.

VI. TRANSPLANTING OF SEEDLINGS RAISED IN POLYBAGS

1. Irrigate the plants in polybags twice a day till completion of transplanting operations. Irrigate plants in polybags lightly a few hours before transplanting. Take the plants in polybags to planting pits carefully

2. .Initial spacing should be 3 x 2 M for production of poles. Transplant at 4 x 2 M for production of timber. One thinning to remove 50% trees for sale should be carried out at 4 to 5 years age and remaining plants retained at 4 x 4 M spacing till harvest at 8 to 10 years age.

3. Treat the planting pits, which must be not less than 30 cms in depth, and soil to be refilled with 2ml Chloropyriphos or Lindane mixed in 1 litre of water. This is absolutely necessary to prevent attack of white ants or termites, which can otherwise cause heavy mortality of seedlings during establishment in field.

4. Place the polythene bag on ground. Cut the polythene bag with a sharp blade vertically at two opposite points. Open the polybag like two leaves of a book. Remove the plant along with entire ball of earth/ potting mixture without disturbing the root system and transplant gently in pits treated with anti termite chemicals.

5. Refill treated soil and compact gently without damaging the potting mixture and roots. Leave 2 to 3 cms pit unfilled at the top in case of heavy soils and 5 to 7.5 cms in case of well-drained sandy loam soils for retention of irrigation/ rain water.

6. Irrigate twice a week for one to two weeks and thereafter on need based basis. Avoid heavy irrigation on clayey soil. Transplant early during the monsoon rains in case of un-irrigated plantations. Adopt moisture conservation measures. Maintain the plants free of weeds. Ensure protection against fire, grazing and damage by cattle.

7. Follow other package of practices as recommended for clonal plants. Repeat chemical treatment to control termites or white ants if required as per requirements depending upon the incidence of termites.

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