Derris indica, Bennet. |
(Syn. Pongamia pinnata; P. glabra) |
Family : Leguminosae - Papilionioideae |
Common Name : Ponga oil plant |
Telugu Name : Kanuga |
General :
Widely occurs in the State and commonly planted species because of its wide adaptability. It grows best in fairly moist situations on porous and well drained soil; thriving even on pure sand and black cotton soil. Identified by greyish bark, imparipinnate shinning leaves and pinkish white flowers. It is an excellent coppicer and produces root suckers.
Flowering :
White and purple flowers in axillary racemes appear in April to July. |
|
Fruiting : |
Pods ripen from February to May. |
Morphology of the Fruit / Seed : |
Pods 4 to 5 cms by 1.5 to 2.5 cms in size, pointed at both the ends; yellowish-grey when ripe. 1 or 2 seeded, seed 1.8 to 2 cms long, compressed, elliptical or reniform, wrinkled, reddish brown. |
Seed Collection and Storage : |
Pods are collected from April to June, thrashed to separate the seeds and dried before storage. Pods should be stored without breaking when they are to be stored for a year. Seeds remain viable for a year at least. |
Seed biology : |
No. of dry pods per Kg. |
No. of dry seeds per Kg. |
Germination percentage |
Germination period in days |
460 to 530 |
810 to 1410 |
60 to 89 |
10 to 60 |
|
|
Pretreatment : |
Cold water treatment for 24 hours. |
Nursery Technique : |
Sowing is done in polypots in July to August. Or, small seedlings from the primary beds can be pricked to the polybags. Germination starts within 10 days. |