Introduction:
- Production systems for fruit crops underwent a large scale proliferation all over the world during the last half century. However, all of the production systems have to work within clear physical, biological, climatic and economic constraints coupled with a set of horticultural tools and skill.
- Before taking a decision on all the other possible alternatives under consideration, it is important to undertake feasibility study of the available resources to the orchard management.
- Performance of the orchard largely depends on the availability and quality of land and water resources and their management in fruit production.
- Other conditions in the growing environment, such as climate and weather conditions, disease and pest management and other factors affecting crop growth also affect production.
- With ever increasing population in India, today the major problem confronted in fruit cultivation is to improve or at least sustain the production to meet ever increasing demand for fresh or processed fruits.
- Fruit production can vary widely in response to management of available resources.
- India cannot afford to mismanage its natural resources. Therefore, there is urgent need to utilize available resources rationally. The following resource constrains are required to be judiciously handled in the management of fruit orchards.
- Land/Soil type and soil fertility
- Control of land degradation
- Irrigation water
- Climate
- Trained farm labour
- Geography of growing area
Land
- Land is a vital component of sustainability of any orchard system.
- Fruit crop must be suited to a particular land and climate in order to achieve a desired success.
- Land use pattern for a particular system depend upon its geographical location such as tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, arid zone, topography, slope etc.
Soil:
- Soil and water are the most important factors for successive plant growth.
- A basic understanding of the soil and water is most important to the horticulturist.
What is Soil ?
- Soil may be defined as superficial earth crust “Which function as store house or reservoir of water and nutrients for plant growth.
- Soil is a natural laboratory carrying out several biochemical processes to support plant life, soil micro organism, soil temperature, soil moisture, soil aeration and nutrient levels in the soil are the most important factors in making any soil fertile.
- Fruit trees will do well only if the soils are deep, well drained and without hard pan underneath.
Soil fertility is lost by:
a) crop removal,
b) Leaching,
c) Erosion,
d) Volatilization etc.
- The loss of nutrients should be replaced by suitable measures like addition of manures, fertilizers, green manuring, green leaf manure, incorporating plant residues in the soil etc.
- Organic matter in the soil plays very important role in maintaining good physical condition and thereby helps in maintaining soil fertility.
- Soil reaction or pH is another important factor. Most of the plants prefer nearly neutral pH only. In some special cases the pH of the soil can be altered slightly towards more acid by applying acid producing chemicals like aluminium sulphate, sulphur, Gypsum (Calcium sulphate) etc. soils can be made more alkaline by adding lime.
- In heavy rainfall areas, soils tend to become more acid so suitable amendments should be added to the soil from time to time.
- Soil air is the most important for the healthy growth of the root system. Soil air and soil moisture are interdependent on each other. More air means less moisture and more moisture means less air. So, proper care should be taken during irrigations so as to maintain proper balance between soil air and soil moisture.
- Repeated irrigation will result in blocking the pore spaces and reduces soil aeration. So soil should be stirred after every 2-3 irrigations depending upon the nature of the soil.
- Soil culture or cultivating the soil is another important factor; all practical horticulturists should have a thorough knowledge of soil culture. Soil culture should mainly depend upon the rainfall of the area. In heavy rainfall areas it is better not to cultivate soil before rains. Soils may be cultivated after the rains which help in conserving the soil moisture.
- In low rainfall areas the soil surface should be stirred lightly so as to prevent the runoff and make the water enter into the soil.
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