Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
taBle 25.1
Potential of vegetable oil seeds in India
name
Botanical name
Potential lakh mt
Neem
Azadirechta indica
5
Karanja
Pongamia pinnata
2
Kusum
Scheleichera oleosa
0.8
Ratanjyot
Jatropha curcas
0.5
Sal
Shorea robusta
15
Mahua
Madhuca indica
5
taBle 25.2
Potential and actual Production of nonedible oil in India
Potential lakh tons
actual Production lakh tons
oilseed name
seeds
oils
seeds
oils
Sal
60-70
6-8
2-3
0.25
Mahua
4.30
2.4
0.7-0.85
0.25-0.30
Neem
4.30
1-3
11.5
0.2-0.3
Karanja
1.4
0.3-1
0.25-0.3
0- 0.7-0.1
Kusum
0.9-1.9
0.29
0.20
0.06
season extends from February to April. The mature fruits fall during May to July in North India and
August to September in South India. The yield of Mahua seeds depends mainly upon the size of the
tree, site condition, age, etc. The yield may vary from 5 kg to approximately 200 kg/tree depending
on the size and age of the tree. The average yield of sun-dried Mahua seeds is approximately 1.6 kg/
tree. Mahua trees start giving seeds after 10 years, continuing up to 60 years with the yield increas-
ing with age. Some investigations have found that at 60 years of age, the Mahua tree will yield 10
times more than the yield at 10 years of age. The kernel constitutes 70% of the seed and contains
50% oil. The oil has some medicinal value and locally is used on sore, cracked skin. The flowers
are used as a vegetable and a source of alcohol. The cake from the oil seed is used as fertilizer. The
leaves, flowers, and fruits are eaten by cattle.
25.1.2.3 karanja (
pongamia pinnata
)
Karanja is a native of Wetern Ghats, India. It is a hardy tree growing up to 8 m tall and is well
adapted to extreme growing conditions such as temperatures of 0-50°C, altitudes up to 1200 m,
rainfall of 50-2500 mm, and a soil pH up to 8. Propagation is through seed, stump-cutting, or
nursery-raised plants. Seeds germinate within approximately 2 weeks. They flower from April to
July and the pods ripen from February to May. Karanja starts producing 4-5 years after planting,
and after 7 years it reaches its full productivity of approximately 6-9 t seed/ha per year. The seeds
contain 30-40% oil by weight. The oil is nonedible and is used for illumination, lubrication, and
synthesis of organic compounds, and its wood is used for firewood, cabinet work, cart wheels, and
posts. Leaves of the plant are used as fodder and green manure. The oil cake is used as poultry feed
and manure.
25.1.2.4 linseed (
linum usitatissimum
)
The crop is harvested when it is fully ripe and the stems are light brown throughout, the leaves
shriveled or fallen, the capsules are brittle, and the seeds are brown. Linseed is grown in the
