Orchard Management

EXERCISE 4

EXERCISE 4: ORCHARD SOIL MANAGEMENT- CLEAN CULTIVATION IN FRUIT ORCHARDS

Clean cultivation: The space between the trees or in the tree basin areas is kept clean by tillage and removal of weeds (Plate 4.1). When it is restricted to tree basin area, the remaining space in the plantation area can be used for growing inter crops and cover crops. It is generally followed in young orchards.

Aim: The destruction of weeds results in more availability of water and nutrients for fruit trees.

Procedure:

The main ploughing or digging operations are carried out when the trees are least active. The optimum period falls between October to February. This is followed by frequent hoeing during the rest of the period of the year to check the re-emergence of weeds. Hoeing should be restricting to upper 7-10 cm of the surface, while dormant ploughing should be around 15 cm deep.

Plate 4.1. Clean cultivation practiced in hedgerow plantation of pear.

Precautions:

• Avoid deep ploughing, as this will results in injury to fruit crops.
• Year the round and frequent tilling is wasteful and thus not desirable.
• Injury to the trees with power cultivator or bullock power culture should be guarded against.
• It is desirable to provide tree guards/cage of thin bamboo or iron around the tree trunk.

Observations to be performed:

• Count number (No./m2) and dry weight of weeds (g/m2) per unit area.
• Record soil moisture contents periodically.
• Record annual shoot growth, yield and average fruit weight.