Tamarind monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future

is therefore, not advisable (Maille, 1991), although traditionally leaves have
been used as mulch material for tobacco cultivation in some countries.
Because of the allelopathic effect of tamarind, mixed plantations have not
been recommended by Gamble (1922) and Yadev (1986), however in India,
to prevent such undesirable effects, tamarind is planted at a wider spacing,
commonly 8m x 8m, 8m x 12 m and 12m x 12m (Jambulingam and
Fernandes, 1986). Also in the forest-village system of Thailand, where
taunga is practised in teak (Tectona grandis) plantations, interplanted
mixtures with tamarind have been successful (Jordan and Gajaseni, 1990;
Dagar et al., 1995). The Central Salinity Research Institute in Karnal, India,
has demonstrated the advantages of interplanting agricultural crops,
including rice, pearl millet and mustard with tamarind, yield reduction was
minimal compared to other forest tree species such as Maharukh (Ailanthus
excelsa) and teak (Tectonia grandis). In such mixed cropping systems,
tamarind also benefits by receiving supplemental irrigation, weeding and
other cultural practices (Dagar et al., 1995). There has been a substantial
body of research on the allelopathetic effects of tamarind in relation to
intercrops and weed control (Channal et al., 2002, 2002a; Parvez et al.,
2003, 2003 a).
Tamarind trees are widely used in India and Sri Lanka as ornamentals and
shade trees, planted along avenues, roadsides, in parks and along river banks
(Meghwal, 1997) and have become popular in the United States as a tree for
indoor ornamentation (NAS, 1979). On a more practical note, tamarind trees
have been used as windbreaks due to their resistance to storms, however,
there are some disadvantages to using tamarind in this way. This has been
demonstrated by Rodriguez et al. (1985) when the yield of Valencia orange
trees (Citrus sinensis) growing adjacent to a tamarind windbreak, decreased
by 50% due to competition. Tamarind also provides a heavy shade due to its
broad spreading crown. By raising the tamarind trees along field boundaries
the crop suffers from less shade and competition. Tamarind is also used as a
firebreak in Mysore as no grass grows under the tree due to heavy shade. In
some parts of India it is thus planted around forest margins to act as a
firebreak (Troup, 1921; Salim et al., 1998).
3.3 Socio – cultural aspects
In India and the Far East since ancient times, members of the flora and fauna
were identified with particular personalities of the Hindu pantheon and
worshipped. Tamarind is such a highly sacred and worshipped tree. These
beliefs and practices continue even today in certain sections of society,
particularly among the rural folk and aboriginal tribes living in the forest.
Nature worship and the faith of these peoples have helped to conserve many
natural ecosystems in India. These people have preserved many forest trees
such as tamarind and sacred groves are conserved in their original form
(Singha, 1995). In some localities of India the tamarind tree is considered to
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