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Tiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu is emerging as a significant hub for the cultivation of Adenium obesum popularly known as Desert Rose.
Some plants fetch prices up to Rs 12 lakh attracting attention from horticulturists, entrepreneurs and policymakers.
|
Feature |
Description |
|
Family |
Apocynaceae that is Dogbane family |
|
Native Regions |
Arid zones of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula |
|
Biome |
Desert or dry shrubland |
|
Growth Habit |
Succulent shrub, small tree like bonsai appearance |
|
Flower Characteristics |
Trumpet shaped, colorful (white to deep red), fragrant, attract pollinators |
|
Special Traits |
Drought tolerant, thick caudex for water storage, slow growing that is ~12" per year |
Cultivation Practices
|
Step |
Details |
|
Seed Germination |
Sun-dried seeds sown in moist sand and powdered erukkam leaves |
|
Shading |
Germination under net shade, watered every two days |
|
Hardening |
After 2 months, seedlings exposed to sunlight to boost root growth |
|
Leaf Trimming |
Weekly to promote thick root development |
|
Grafting |
Done after 6 months to induce flowering |
|
Classification |
Based on age: 1 year, 2 year, 5 year old varieties |
|
Fertilizer Use |
No synthetic chemicals used; natural fertilizers like erukkam (Calotropis gigantea) and river sand used |
Poisonous Parts that is Roots and sap contain cardiac glycosides.
In Africa, sap used as arrow poison for hunting.
|
Aspect |
Notes |
|
Low Water Requirement |
Ideal for arid and semi-arid regions |
|
No Chemical Pesticides |
Promotes organic and sustainable cultivation |
|
Biodiversity Value |
Attracts bees and butterflies, enhancing local pollinator populations |
Horticulture Support Schemes: Encouragement through shade net subsidies, financial assistance.
Alignment with National Missions:
Doubling Farmers’ Income.
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.
Atmanirbhar Bharat that is promoting domestic, high value farming ventures.
Sources:
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following statements regarding Adenium obesum is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only Answer: A Explanation Statement 1 is correct – It belongs to the Apocynaceae (dogbane) family. Statement 2 is incorrect – It is native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula not South America. Statement 3 is correct – It is used in bonsai due to its miniature tree-like structure. Statement 4 is incorrect – The cultivation in Tiruvallur uses natural fertilizers like erukkam leaves and avoids synthetic inputs. |
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