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Eucalyptus (Safeda / Nilgiri)All seasonsTissue-culture / clonal cuttingUpdated 22 September 2026

ITC Bhadrachalam Clones

A family of over a hundred high-yielding clonal hybrids developed by ITC's Bhadrachalam research programme since 1989 and supplied to farmers under its farm-forestry scheme, with the mill buying the wood back on a purchase order at the prevailing farm-gate rate.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity period5-6 year rotation to clear-felling
Expected yieldHigh — published trial productivity of 20-58 m3/ha/year against 6-10 m3/ha/year for unimproved seedling stock
Suitable soilLoam

Quick facts

Crop
Eucalyptus (Safeda / Nilgiri)
Type
Tissue-culture / clonal cutting
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
5-6 year rotation to clear-felling
Expected yield
High — published trial productivity of 20-58 m3/ha/year against 6-10 m3/ha/year for unimproved seedling stock
Suitable soil
Loam
Release
Developed by ITC Limited's Bhadrachalam research programme (since 1989); supplied under its farm-forestry scheme

About this variety

ITC Limited's Bhadrachalam Paperboards Division began a major eucalyptus clonal research and development programme in 1989 to improve plantation productivity and make farm forestry an attractive land use for local farmers. The programme has since developed and released over a hundred high-yielding clonal hybrids — collectively known as the Bhadrachalam clones — multiplied at a dedicated clonal production facility near the mill with capacity for millions of saplings a year. ITC supplies these clonal saplings to farmers under its farm-forestry programme across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha, and buys the felled wood back at the prevailing farm-gate rate against a purchase order, with payment typically made within about ten days of delivery.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeTissue-culture / clonal cutting
    Maturity5-6 year rotation to clear-felling
    Yield potentialHigh — published trial productivity of 20-58 m3/ha/year against 6-10 m3/ha/year for unimproved seedling stock
    Disease resistanceBred with disease/pest tolerance in mind; still needs local gall-wasp monitoring
    SoilLoam
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Spacing3 x 2 m or 2 x 2 m for a dense pulpwood block; 4 x 4 m for pole/agroforestry planting

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

5-6 year rotation to clear-felling

Expected yield

High — published trial productivity of 20-58 m3/ha/year against 6-10 m3/ha/year for unimproved seedling stock

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • Bred with disease/pest tolerance in mind; still needs local gall-wasp monitoring

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Among the highest-published productivity figures of any Indian eucalyptus clone family (20-58 m3/ha/year vs 6-10 for unimproved seedling stock)
  • Comes with a built-in wood-sale relationship — ITC buys back the felled wood on a purchase order at the prevailing farm-gate rate
  • Backed by over three decades of dedicated clonal research and a large-scale production facility ensuring planting-material supply

Things to consider

  • This is a farm-forestry supply relationship, not an exclusive written buy-back contract like WIMCO's poplar model — a farmer can equally sell to a local trader or another mill
  • Primarily available and supported in ITC's operating states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha); availability elsewhere depends on the local nursery network

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Telangana

Sourced from: ITC Paperboards and Specialty Papers Division. editorial policy.