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Technical Kisanखेती, तकनीक के साथ
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MahoganyAll seasonsSeedling (research institute)Updated 26 September 2026

KFRI Improved Planting Stock

Seedlings raised from mother trees selected by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) for better stem form, vigour and early growth — a step up from unselected open-pollinated seed, though still not immune to the mahogany shoot borer.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity period15–25 year rotation to full-value timber
Expected yieldGood to high; selected mother trees give straighter bole and better form than unselected seed
Suitable soilDeep, well-drained loam

Quick facts

Crop
Mahogany
Type
Seedling (research institute)
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
15–25 year rotation to full-value timber
Expected yield
Good to high; selected mother trees give straighter bole and better form than unselected seed
Suitable soil
Deep, well-drained loam
Release
Selected mother-tree planting stock from KFRI, Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala; no formal varietal release but improved over unselected seed

About this variety

The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI, Peechi, Thrissur) has conducted long-term research on Swietenia macrophylla, including provenance trials, growth studies and mother-tree selection aimed at improving the form and vigour of mahogany planting stock available to farmers. Seedlings from KFRI-selected mother trees show straighter stems, more uniform girth development and better early height growth compared to random open-pollinated nursery stock. KFRI has also researched the Hypsipyla shoot borer problem extensively — while no fully borer-resistant planting stock has been developed anywhere in the world, KFRI's selection work emphasises rapid apical recovery (the ability of the tree to quickly re-establish a single leading shoot after a borer attack) as a practical management trait rather than outright resistance.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeSeedling (research institute)
    Maturity15–25 year rotation to full-value timber
    Yield potentialGood to high; selected mother trees give straighter bole and better form than unselected seed
    Disease resistanceSome selection for better form and vigour, but no documented shoot borer immunity; Hypsipyla watch still applies
    SoilDeep, well-drained loam
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Spacing3 × 3 m to 5 × 5 m at initial planting, thinned progressively

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

15–25 year rotation to full-value timber

Expected yield

Good to high; selected mother trees give straighter bole and better form than unselected seed

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

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • Some selection for better form and vigour, but no documented shoot borer immunity; Hypsipyla watch still applies

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Selected for better stem form, vigour and more uniform growth than random open-pollinated stock
  • KFRI's research emphasises rapid apical recovery after shoot borer attack — a practical trait even though full resistance does not exist
  • Backed by decades of institutional provenance-trial data from peninsular India

Things to consider

  • Availability depends on KFRI nursery production schedules — book well before the monsoon planting season
  • Higher per-seedling cost than ordinary forest department nursery stock
  • Shoot borer management is still essential; improved stock reduces the problem, it does not eliminate it

Suitable regions

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

  • Kerala
  • Karnataka
  • Tamil Nadu

Sourced from: Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore. editorial policy.