Chilgoza Pine Nut

Booklet No. 188 Nuts Production: NPS-5

Contents Preface I. Introduction II. Climate III. Soil IV. Varieties V. Propagation VI. Planting VII. Irrigation VIII. Training and Pruning IX. Insect Pests and Diseases X. Harvesting and Yield XI. Storage and Marketing XII. Uses and Composition XIII. Economics of Cultivation Preface Chilgoza is a very delicious nut fruit with a high fat content. The nuts are eaten row or after roasting them. It also contains a seasonably high amount of other nutrients including vitamins and minerals. This booklet describes the scientific cultivation of Chilgoza in detail Dr. K.T. Chandy, Agricultural & Environmental Education I. Introduction Chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana) is a conifer tree having short lateral branches. It belongs to the family Pinnaceae and originated in the North -Western Himalayan mountains. The tree is not grown in orchards for its fruits, instead female cones are collected from the trees already growing in the forests and their seeds are used as dry fruits. The tree is a close relative of other pine species found in the Himalayan region. The three needles of a chilgoza pine differentiate it from the other species. Chilgoza pine is commonly cultivated in Afghanistan, Tibet and Northern Baluchistan. In India, it covers an area of about 2022 hectares and is grown in the inner Himalayan zone comprising Kinnaur and Pangi in Himachal Pradesh and Kishtwar and Astur areas of Jmnmu and Kashmir. Chilgoza pine is an evergreen tree attaining a height of about 16 to 20 m at full maturity with varying trunk girth ranging between 3-4 metres. II. Climate Chilgoza tree thrives well under dry and cold climate. Areas with very scanty rainfall and heavy snowfall during winters are suitable for its cultivation. It requires a temperature below 35C during the summer for its proper growth and development. III. Soil The soil for chilgoza pine should have good drainage. It should be light textured, allowing adequate aeration for the development of the rootzone. Chilgoza is generally grown on sandy soil but it can also be grown on light loamy soil. Soils With a moderate fertility status are

fit for its growth and development. However, the tree is capable of growing on excessively dry barren hill sites, even on base rocks. IV. Varieties There has not been much research and study on chilgoza so that it can be subdivided into many varieties. However, in nature there are cone producing and big size seed producing trees whose selection is yet to be done. V. Propagation Chilgoza is propagated by both seed and vegetative methods. These methods are described here. 1. Seed propagation Chilgoza seed Call be separated from the cone and sown immediately in October or stored in dry and cold storage conditions and then sown in April. The seed loses its viability very soon, if it is not stored at very low temperatures. However, the optimum time of sowing is October -November. The seeds are directly sown in polythene bags and tile tree grows vigorously along with its roots in the first year. Therefore, the seeds are sown in polythene bags and not in beds directly. The polythene bags should be shifted every month so that the roots may not establish on the ground. The seeds are stratified at low temperature of 2OC in moist sand for a period of 20 days. The mixture for polythene bags should be prepared by mixing decomposed compost, sand and soil in the ratio of I: 2: 1 .As soon as germination starts and cotyledons appear through the soil mixture, they are likely to be eaten out by birds, rodents and small animals. Therefore, the polythene bags should be properly covered by a suitable wire net. The seedlings become ready for transplanting in 3-4 years when they attain a height of 25-30 cm. 2. Vegetative propagation Among the vegetative propagation methods, grafting of chilgoza scion on chud and kail rootstocks have been found successful. But after 8-10 years tile root portion of the chud and kail trees become too thick in proportion to tile slow growth of chilgoza. Tissue culture mld 'gootie' or air layering have also been successful in chilgoza. VI. Planting Before planting, pits of 60 x 60 x 60 cm size should be dug and refilled with a. mixture of compost and soil. The planting distance between seedlings should be maintained at 5 x 5 m. VII. Irrigation Cbilgoza seedling grows fast in the beginning and at the age of 28-30 years, it attains a height of 13-14 metres. This is because of the favorable dry, cool climate and sandy soil in which it is grown. Therefore, irrigation during May-September months is very essential. During the first five years, irrigation in every 3rd or 4th day is profitable. After 5 years, irrigation at an interval of 7 - 10 days should be given. VIII. Training and Pruning Cbilgoza does not require much pruning and training as it is an evergreen tree.

Flowering and Fruiting The male and female cones are borne on the same plant in May -June. The number of male cones on the plant is proportionately high as compared to female cones. The tree starts producing female cones after attaining tile age of 25 to 30 years. The male cones are borne on the lower branches while the female cones are on the top branches of the tree. The young female cones increase in size after pollination, slightly during tile first year but rapidly during the second year, and attain maturity by September-October. From pollination to seed set it takes about two years. The length of the mature cone varies from 12.7 cm to 23 cm With a diameter of about 8 to 12 cm. The female cones after ripening become dark brown in colour and hard like wood. The seeds are enclosed by very thick woody scales which open to disperse the seed at full maturity. On an average there are about 30 seeds in a cone. IX. Insect Pests and Diseases There is not much study and research done in chilgoza regarding its pests and diseases. However, seed is found to be attacked by fruit borer which causes much damage to it. In order to protect the seed from bird and rodent damage, it should be treated with a paint prepared by mixing red lead oxide, and linseed oil in 2 : 1 ration. To protect the germinated seedlings from birds, rodents and small animals, the polythene bags should be properly covered with a suitable wire net. X. Harvesting and Yield The nuts are ready for harvesting in the month of September- October, after a period of 18 months from its blooming. Cones should be harvested before loosening of the outer woody scales which can be easily opened by artificial or solar heat treatment. Care should be taken that the cones are not harvested along with the branch as this reduces the yield later on. To remove the seeds from the cone, it should be cut longitudinally into four divisions or given artificial heat treatment so that the seeds can come out easily. The nut is cylindrical with a length of 2.03 to 2.54 cm having a short wing which soon become detached and remains on the cone when the seed falls. The average yield of about 1.8 kg is obtained from an adult tree. XI. Storage and Marketing The nuts after being taken out from the cone are collected and air dried for 5-6 days and stored for 4-5 months. They can be stored for 2-3 years in cold storage. The nuts which are roasted can also be kept for a long period. XII. Uses and Composition The chilgoza nut is used raw, roasted or in confectionery, products. It possesses a tremendous wound healing property. The nut is delicious and nutritious to eat. The wood is also used for making houses. The composition of Chilgoza is given below in tile table 1. Table 1. Composition of chilgoza Sl.No 1 2 3 4 Components Fat Water Protein Starch Amount (%) 51.3 8.7 13.6 22.5

5 6 XIII. Economics of Cultivation.

Fibre Minerals and ash

0.9 3.0

A format of economics involved in chilgoza cultivation is given below. With the help of this format, cost of cultivation can be calculated depending on the area; A. Fixed cost I. Cost of the land Rs 2. Cost of farm building and storage structure, etc. Rs 3. Cost of farm fencing Rs 4. Cost of windbreaks Rs 5. Cost of the clearing, leveling and bunding of tile land Rs 6. Cost of layout Rs 7. Cost of digging and filling pits Rs 8. Cost of machines, instruments, etc. Rs 9. Cost of roads and paths 10. Cost of planting material and polythene bags Rs 11. Cost of permanent irrigation system Rs B. Recurring cost 1. Cost of manures Rs 2. Cost of insecticides, fungicides etc. Rs 3. Cost of orchard power Rs 4. Transpiration charges Rs 5. Cost of orchard labour (paid and unpaid) Rs 6. Cost of land preparation Rs a. Training and pruning Rs b. Irrigation Rs c. Application of manures Rs d. Application of insecticides and fungicides Rs e. Harvesting and threshing Rs f. Storing and marketing Rs g. Processing Rs 7. Interest on fixed cost(@ 10%) Rs 8. Rent or revenue paid for land Rs 9. Depreciation a. Farm structure Rs b. Farm implements Rs 10. Repair and maintenance Rs Total recurring cost Rs C. Income 1. Yield of nuts Rs 2. Yield of other materials such as seeds, woods, etc. Rs Gross income Rs Net profit = Gross income -Total recurring cost Purchase value -Junk value Depreciation = ----------------------------------------Life span

Note: Junk value is calculated only on those articles which can be resold after their life span. Life span of building and machinery is 15 years and 10 years, respectively. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%