Tamarind monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future
Tamarind monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future
Tamarind monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
ainfall; this is due in part to its deep and extensive root system (Coronel,<br />
1991). This can be observed in <strong>the</strong> north and south dry zones of Sri Lanka,<br />
where <strong>the</strong>re is a prolonged dry season of over 4-6 months. In <strong>the</strong><br />
intermediate zone above 300 m, a few trees can be seen, but <strong>the</strong>ir bearing<br />
ability is comparatively less than those grown in <strong>the</strong> dry areas.<br />
<strong>Tamarind</strong> is usually evergreen but may shed its leaves in very dry conditions<br />
during <strong>the</strong> hot/dry season (Morton, 1987).<br />
4.2.2 Temperature<br />
Essentially a tree of tropical climates, tamarind thrives under a maximum<br />
annual temperature ranging from 33-37� C to a minimum of 9.5-20� C. The<br />
trees are very sensitive to fire and frost and require protection when small<br />
(Troup, 1921; NAS, 1979). Older trees are more resistant to extremes of<br />
temperature than young trees and can withstand temperatures as high as 47 o<br />
C and as low as -3� C without serious injury. <strong>Tamarind</strong> is more cold tolerant<br />
than mango, avocado and lychee (Verheij and Coronel, 1991).<br />
4.2.3 Light<br />
<strong>Tamarind</strong> is a light demanding tree and grows very slowly. It is often<br />
isolated from o<strong>the</strong>r vegetation and <strong>the</strong> ground is usually bare around <strong>the</strong> tree<br />
due in part to <strong>the</strong> dense shading by <strong>the</strong> canopy.<br />
4.2.4 Wind<br />
The tamarind tree is very resistant to strong winds, and can tolerate violent<br />
typhoons and cyclones (von Maydell, 1986; von Carlowitz, 1986). Often<br />
known as <strong>the</strong> hurricane-resistant tree (NAS, 1979), it has strong and pliant<br />
branches and a deep and extensive root system, which anchors it to <strong>the</strong><br />
ground (Coronel, 1986). Ano<strong>the</strong>r explanation <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> isolated growing habit<br />
of <strong>the</strong> tree is its tolerance to harsh environments.<br />
4.2.5 Altitude<br />
<strong>Tamarind</strong> has been reported to grow from altitudes of 0-2000 m (Roti-<br />
Michelozzi, 1957; Dale and Greenway, 1961; Brenan, 1967; FAO, 1988;<br />
Jama et al. 1989). The lack of tamarind growing at higher altitudes is<br />
associated more with <strong>the</strong> decrease in temperature than <strong>the</strong> altitude itself. In<br />
Yunan, China, Li et al. (2004) considered tamarind suited to 1400m when<br />
planting a range of trees <strong>for</strong> af<strong>for</strong>estation between 1400-1600m above sea<br />
level.<br />
47