Dr. K.S. Yadav Assistant Professor (Horticulture) School of Agricultural Sciences & Technology RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh.

SAL Botanical name: Shorea robusta Family: Dipterocarpaceae Chromosome no.: 2n= 14

Introduction: This tree is native to the Indian subcontinent, ranging south of the Himalaya, from Myanmar in the east to Nepal, India and Bangladesh. In India, it extends from Assam, Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand west to the Shivalik Hills in Haryana, east of the Yamuna. The range also extends through the Eastern Ghats and to the eastern Vindhya and Satpura ranges of central India. In Nepal, it is found mostly in the Terai region from east to west, especially, in the Sivalik Hills (Churia Range) in the subtropical climate zone. There are many protected areas, such as Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park and Shukla Phat Wildlife Reserve, where there are dense forests of huge sal trees. It is also found in the lower belt of the Hilly region and Inner Terai.

Uses: It is a medicinal tree, and used in Ayurveda for thousands of years to treat variety of diseases including piles, leucorrhoea, gonorrhea, skin disorders, ulcers, wounds, diarrhea, dysentery, burning sensation, seminal weakness, etc. Sal is one of the most important sources of hardwood timber in India, with hard, coarse-grained wood that is light in colour when freshly cut, but becomes dark brown with exposure. The wood is resinous and durable, and is sought-after for construction, although not well suited to planing and polishing. The wood is especially suitable for constructing frames for doors and windows. The leaves are also used fresh to serve ready made paan (betelnut preparations) and small snacks such as boiled black grams, gol gappa, etc. The used leaves/plates are readily eaten by goats and cattle. The tree has therefore protected northern India from a flood of styrofoam and plastic plates that would have caused tremendous pollution. In Nepal, its leaves are used to make local plates and vessels called "tapari", "doona" and "bogata" in which rice and curry is served. However, the use of such "natural" tools have sharply declined during last decade. Sal seeds and fruit are a source of lamp oil and vegetable fat. The seed oil is extracted from the seeds and used as cooking oil after refining.

Climate and soil: Maximum temperature: 360 cm to 44 0C. Minimum temperature: 110 cm and 17 0C The average annual precipitation is 1000-3500 mm. Well-drained loamy soil Mountains, rivers, fertile soil rich in areas.

Land reparation: For raising of sapling soil should be free from every kind of weed and debris.

Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as possible. It does not require pre-treatment, but it is recommended to soak the seed for 12 hours prior to sowing. The seeds are sown in seedbeds, where they are covered with a mixture of sand and soil (1:1) or with a thin layer of sawdust. Germination of fresh seeds is usually good and rapid. About two weeks after germination, when the seedlings are 5-6 cm tall, they are potted up into individual containers about 15×23 cm with good drainage holes at their base. It is normally recommended to use a mixture of forest soil and sand (at a ratio of 3:1) as the potting medium in order to introduce the appropriate mycorrhiza to the roots. The seedlings are placed in 50-60% sunlight and watered twice daily.

Plant Protection: Young seedlings are susceptible to reactions with animals Deer and cows were causing damage for tubers

Page 1 of 2 Shorea robusta Parasitic plant: Loranthus is the parasitic plant for this species which causing severe damage Removal of affected individual manually is the best practice for management of loranthus.

Fungal attack: Palipporus soria, Porms kerpocaili, Saileriya palimorpa are causing severe damages.

Questions: 1. Write the botanical name, family and chromosome number of Shorea robusta. 2. What are the various uses of Shorea robusta? 3. Write down climatic and soil requirement and land preparation of Shorea robusta. 4. Write about propagation practices of Shorea robusta. 5. Write the plant protection measure of Shorea robusta.

References: 1. Forestry Technologies: Sal- TNAU Agri portal, TNAU, Tamil Nadu. 2. Sal tree (Shorea robusta) Information and Uses (https://www.bimbima.com/ayurveda/sal-tree-shorea- robusta-information-and-uses/49/) 3. Sal Tree, Biological name of the Sal Tree, Sal Tree Plantations in India: Eco India (www.ecoindia.com/flora/trees/sal-tree.html) 4. Shorea robusta - Useful Tropical Plants (tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Shorea+robusta)

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