MELIA VOLKENSII, A SURVIVOR IN THE DESERT

Mutomo District is an arid and semi arid area in Kitui County, Eastern province that is occasionally faced with dry spells. The main economic activities in the area are small scale farming and keeping of domestic animals.

The area receives minimal amount of rainfall (between 300-700mm per annum) and the residents frequently face starvation.

Very few indigenous tree species survive in such harsh climatic conditions. Of the few indigenous trees, Melia Volkensii also locally known as Mukau is one of the species that has defied odds and has been known to do well in these unfavorable conditions.
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Melia volkensii is a tree species in the family Meliaceae.

There are various steps and procedures followed in seed propagation and planting of the species.

These are:

1. COLLECTING SEEDS

Seeds are collected from areas of common occurrence of the tree including Kitui, Kibwezi, Voi,  Taita Taveta and Mbeere.

Mature yellow fruits are handpicked. The branches are shaken to release the mature fruits. Usually, a canvas (tarpaulin) or net is spread under the tree for easy collection of the falling fruits.

2. SEED STORAGE

Seed storage is not recommended. Fresh ripe fruits are the best source of good seeds since old fruits have been found to produce seeds with low viability.

3. SEED EXTRACTION

Once seeds are transported to the nursery, they are de-pulped using a mortar and pestle.
The dry nut is then cracked using a kitchen knife/ panga and a plunk of grooved wood. KEFRI developed a nut cracker which can be used to crack the nut more efficiently. This also reduces damage to the seed.

4. HOW TO PROPAGATE MELIA

 Pre-germination treatment

 Melia seeds need pre-germination treatment before sowing. The following steps are followed;

(a) Nip the seed

(b) Soak in cold water for 12 hours

(c) Slit the outer cover longitudinally

NOTE: The sown seeds are watered once and the propagator is closed tightly using a clear polythene sheet. This enhances germination because of the high humidity and temperature levels. Once rooting takes place, the seedling (germinant) is transferred into a pot filled with nursery soil.

5. SEED SOWING

• Fill germination box (water bucket can be used as germination box) with sterilized  sand (sterilize sand by heating or using  fungicides)
• Sow seeds into the sand-filled germination box
• Water thoroughly once. Watering is not necessary until germination is complete.
• Cover with a polythene sheet to maintain high humidity in the germination box

6. NURSERY MANAGEMENT

(a)Pricking out

Ø  Pricking out is carried out as soon as the germination is spotted (usually 3-7 days)

Ø  The pricked out seedlings are planted into potting tubes filled with good nursery soil

Ø  The potted seedlings should be kept under shade for at least two weeks before exposing them in the open.

Ø   After two weeks seedlings are transferred to a partially shaded nursery site for at least 3 weeks.

Ø  After three weeks, it is now safe to transfer the seedlings to an open place.

(b) Nursery operations

Ø  Watering should be done only when the pots are getting dry (Melia seedlings must not be over watered, as seedlings are sensitive to water logging)

Ø  Remove weeds from the pots when necessary

Ø  Hardening –off is necessary before planting ( this is done by reducing watering regime )

6. PLANTING

Planting holes are dug 5 m apart giving a stand of 400 trees per hectare. Melia does not compete with crops. However, it is advisable not to plant tall crops such as maize in the first season as the tree is sensitive to shade.

Melia is a fast growing tree attaining an average height of 1.4 metres in one year. It is therefore possible to intercrop with taller crops after the first year. Intercropping can be stopped when the crown canopy closes by which time grazing can be carried out if adequate measures to stop debarking of trees by animals. Both intercropping and grazing add value to the Melia plot.

7. NATURAL REGENERATION

In its natural range, it is common to find Melia regenerating from the injured roots on farmlands. If this happens then;

Ø  Uproot some of the seedlings to remain with the right number at the required spacing

Ø  Protect the remaining trees from browsing animals

Ø  Weed when required to reduce competition from unwanted vegetation

8. MANAGEMENT

Trees planted for timber production are pruned (removal of buds) get clear and straight pole, that is knot   free.

At initial stages of growth, it is recommended to hand-prune buds with leaves left intact.

Trees in cropland are pruned heavily (but avoid over pruning) to reduce competition with crops, particularly for light. Pruning is also done to coincide with time when there is livestock feed scarcity to be used as fodder.

9. HARVESTING AND MARKETING OF MUKAU PRODUCTS

A well managed Melia tree can be harvested from as early as at 5 years of age. At such early stages of growth the main products derived are poles and fodder as well as firewood from branches. From 10 years of age, the log can be sawn into high quality timber that can be utilized for furniture making as well as construction. Other products derived include off-cuts, fodder, and firewood and saw dust.

Most of the derived products from Melia are marketed at the local supply system either at farm gate or local centres to derive income. The commonly marketed products are sawn logs, timber, off-cuts and firewood. Saw logs are lowly priced and a log that yields 300ft of sawn timber sells at an average price of Kshs.1000 in local markets. However, sawn timber of 6” x 1” sells at ksh.40 per foot totaling to Ksh.12, 000 worth of timber per tree.  In addition, a farmer is able to get 1 ox-cart of firewood sold at kshs.300, 4 pieces of off-cuts sold at Kshs. 50 each and 2 bags of sawdust sold at Kshs. 50. This amounts to Ksh.12, 600 from a single tree.

10. ADVANTAGES

• Good investment.
• The investment costs, risks and uncertainties are relatively lower than most agricultural enterprises
• Can be intercropped
• Provides fodder when the tree sheds

11. DISADVANTAGES

Poor germination rate if the necessary steps have not been followed

• Very palatable to browsing animals

1. FACTS ABOUT MELIA VOLKENSII

      Requires annual rainfall of 300-800 mm per annum

      400 trees per hectare (spacing of 5m x5m)

      Takes 12-15 years to mature

One Melia tree can fetch Kshs. 12,000 at maturity.

REFERENCE: KENYA FORESTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (KEFRI)

P.O

BOX 20412

, Tel + 254202010651/2, +254 722157414, +254 734 251 888

E Mail: kefri_kitui@yahoo.com

E Mail director@kefri.org

Website www.kefri.org