SILK COTTON (Singapore Kapok)

Scientific name: Ceiba pentandra

Origin and Distribution: It is a native of South America and now grown in Myanmar, Jawa, Sri Lanka and India. It grows to a height of 20 to 25 m under various agro - climatic conditions. It comes up well in heavy rainfall areas. In Tamil Nadu, it is grown in Coimbatore, Salem, Dharmapuri besides Madurai where it is grown in very large areas of about 40,000 hectares.

Cultural practices

Nursery Techniques: Fresh seeds can be used for sowing. The seeds are sown directly in the polythene bags of size 20 x 10 cm and watered daily. Seeds start germinating after sowing and it will be over after 15 days. 6 months old seedlings are generally used for planting.

Spacing: 7 x 7 m

Pit size: 30 cm3

Planting: During rainy season or at any time with irrigation facilities

Weeding: Should be done twice, for first two years.

Irrigation: In areas receiving less than 1,000 mm rainfall, irrigation is a must especially
during summer season at 10 days interval.

Intercropping: Pulse crops can be raised as intercrop for initial two years. Bund planting with an espacement of 6 m can be taken up and main field can be utilized for agricultural crops.

Uses
1. It is used as stuffing material for pillow and bed.
2. It is also used for making tennis ball, boxing gloves, shooting suits.
3. Its oil is used for making soap, its cake used as cattle feed.
4. Shell is used for fuel.