Orchard Management (1+1)

EXERCISE 3

EXERCISE 3: LAY OUT OF DIFFERENT PLANTING SYSTEMS OF ORCHARD- CONTOUR AND TERRACE PLANTING SYSTEMS

In hilly areas, where soil erosion commonly occurred due to heavy rainfall and high wind velocity, the important planting systems followed are ‘contour’ and ‘terrace’ planting system.
Aims:

1. To control soil erosion and water runoff
2. To minimize nutrient losses
3. To conserve moisture

Contour system

This system is usually followed in the hilly areas with high slopes but it is very much similar to the square/rectangular system. Under such circumstances, the trees may be well planted in lines following the contour of the soil with only a slight slope (Fig. 3.1). Irrigation and cultivation are then practiced only across the slope of the land as this practice reduces the chances of soil erosion. In this system layout is done as in square/rectangular system, first by establishing the base line at the lowest level and then marking for the trees should be done from the base to the top.

Fig. 3.1: Contour system of planting

Terrace planting

In this method, small terraces are made, and trees are planted in the middle of these and thus this will provide sufficient space for inter cropping for additional income. This method is even more effective in preventing runoff and soil loss than contour planting Bench terraces are used where the slope is greater than 10 per cent (Fig. 3.2).

Fig. 3.2: Terrace planting on slopes

Observations to be performed:

Compare different systems of planting on sloppy lands with respect to number of trees accommodated in each, the initial growth performance, amount of moisture retained under canopy area.