Pongam Pinnata Tree Safe Energy Source & Diversified Usage

Pongam (Pongamia pinnata, Syn, Pongamia glabra, Karnaji), Karanj (Hindi Name), Indian Beech (1) fast growing evergreen tree known for diversified botanical usage including medicinal treatments, energy consumption, floral gardening, animal feed and landscaping. 2 The Pongam prefers to grow in full sun light, well drained soil and adaptable to grow in all types of soil including high salinity. Karenji does not tolerate freezing temperatures. 3 The plant strives better to grow in areas where the dry season lasts from two to six months.11 Pongam grows in subtropical regions in humid conditions and thought to be a native plant grown in India, as well as Australia, Fiji, Japan and Malaysia. Pongamia pinnata plant found to grow in Egypt, Florida and Hawaii."Generally found along coasts or river banks." The Pongam spreads it's leafs like a canopy (a searnic view for landscaping) up to forty feet and grows to a maximum height of forty feet for a medium sized tree. 3 The plant leaves appear having five to seven leaflets (5-10 cm long and 4-6 cm wide) pointed at the tip which are arranged in two or three pairs. The blossoms of the tree appear white, pink or lavender and offer a fragrant smell. 9 The leaves of the Pongam are consumed by cattle and goats. When the leaves are dried used as an insect repellent which can stored in grains, and when pressed into the soil serve as pesticide against nematodes (Handful found in soil contain thousands of microscopic worms 5). 4 Dried Pongam leaves used to treat cholera and bacterial strains causing bloody diarrhea. 8 The trunk appears short.4 The plant produces flowers in the summer and fruit in the spring. 4 However, fruits and seeds of the Pongam occur by the forth to the seventh year after growth. 8 "Fruit is brown in color and seed pods are poisonous." 3 Branch pruning of the Pongam plant enhances its appearance according to appropriate trunk size. Beneficially the lateral and dense roots of the plant controls soil erosion and blinding sand dunes. 4

The bark of the Pongam used to make rope or twine and produces a black gum used to treat wounds caused by poisonous fish. 1 "The bark contains a bitter alkaloid." 8 Also, bark used to internally for bleeding piles. 7 The wood of the Pongam isnot considered good quality timber and attracts insects besides when cutting tends to split. The wood has limited use for making cart wheels, posts, agricultural implements, tool handles, and combs. 4 Roots of the Pongam used for cleaning gums, teeth, and ulcers. 7

Pongam seeds germinate within two weeks of sowing and require no previous treatment. In India the harvested seeds are crushed manually or by mechanical method into thick-yellow-orange brown oil used as fuel for cooking and lamps. The oil applicable for use as a lubricant, water - paint binder, pesticide, soap, used in tanning industries, and according to folk medicine treatment for human (Enhance discolored skin problems 4) and animal (mange and other skin problems 10) skin disease . 1 Also, oil is used for the treatment of rheumatism. 4 The seed oil is manufactured to make soaps and candles. Also, a byproduct of the Pongam seeds contains thirty percent protein which can feed cattle, sheep and poultry. 8

Pongam seeds provide an excellent source of biodiesel fuel, which is renewable, safe and non-polluting. "It is one of the few nitrogen fixing trees producing seeds containing 30 - 40% oil." 6 In 2003, Indian government provided more than $30 million in low interest loans to farmers to grow Pongamia trees instead of traditional crops and donated 4.5 million kilograms of rice to sustain farmers until their new crop began to produce income. In India, several villages which never had access to electricity, Pongam oil provides energy for diesel generators to formulate a grid system to run water pumps and electricity for lighting. 1 The seeds of the Pongam are transplanted into fields beginning of the rainy season. During the following three years after transplanting, the seeds survival to grow is dependent upon weed control. 4

Pongamia is not suitable to be planted in agroforestry (Land used to grow trees, crops and livestock) because it produces an abundance amount of root suckers. Preferably the plant should be grown in forest and non-forest wastelands and community lands. 6 The plant prefers to grow on soil with a pH level above 7.5.The Pongamia recommended to be planted for buffer strips around parking lots, median strip plantings in the highway, residential street tree, and near a deck or patio for shade. 9 "It can be cultivated on a large scale in areas that are unfit for cultivating food crops." 12 Karanja oil's available for purchase from online Web-sites 10.

Picture link of Pongam tree and mature seed pod:
http://www.coralsprings.org/environment/ShadeTreeList/Pongam.cfm

References:

1) Pongamia pinnata - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pongamia_pinnata

2) Pongamia pinnata, Syn.Pongamia glabra., Pongam, Karanj - http://www.herbsnspicesinfo.com/medicinal-herbs/beech-tree.aspx

3.) Pongam - http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/pongam.htm

4.) Pongamia pinnata - a nitrogen fixed tree for oilseed - http://www.winrock.org/fnrm/factnet/factpub/FACTSH/P_pinnata.html

5.) What are Nematodes? - http://nematode.unl.edu/wormgen.htm

6). Pongamia - http://www.appropedia.org/Pongamia

7.) Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre - http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pongamia_pinnata.html

8.) Bani - Pongamia pinnata Linn. - http://www.stuartxchange.com/Bani.html

9.) Mempari - Pongamia pinnata - http://amazingtree.tripod.com/mempari.html

10.) Kanja Oil - http://grannyscountrystore.com/store/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=85

11.) Non Edible Oil Sees for Indian Climatic Conditions - http://www.svlele.com/biofuel.htm

12.) Bio-diesel in India: from the tree to the tank! - http://analienearthling.wordpress.com/category/pongamia/