Darek (Melia azedarach) - A potential root stock for raising vigorous Neem (Azadirachta indica) plants

Abstract

Neem is an indigenous tree species with medicinal and pesticidal properties. It is generally raised through seed which ripens in August in northern India. The seed viability is only for few weeks and the nursery men are bound to sow the seed in nursery immediately after seed ripening i.e. in August. The initial growth in nursery is very slow and the seedlings are very tender and lanky in first growing season which lasts hardly for about three months in northern India. Moreover, the species is highly susceptible to frost and hence, it becomes very difficult to protect such tender seedlings during winter. To increase the period of growing season and produce vigorous nursery stock of Neem, it was thought to grow it on a potential root stock by way of budding/grafting. Darek (Melia azedarach) with wider adaptability in varied agroecological conditions was selected as a root stock. The experiment conducted in the month of February revealed excellent bud take, survival and growth. The budded plants attained a height of 8 ft in first growing season (February to November) as against just 4 inches of seedling origin plants. The technique has proved useful to enhance initial growth and to increase the growing period of Neem which resulted in production of tall and vigorous plants. The budding technique will also be very useful for cloning Neem. Further, experiments are required to be carried out for screening better genotypes of root stock (Darek) and scion (Neem) for improving growth and desirable traits of Neem.