Fundamentals of Horticulture (2+1)

Clean Cultivation

Clean cultivation: In this method of soil management the space between plants is kept clean by tillage and removal of weeds.

Advantages

1. Removes competition of weeds for light, water and nutrients from crop and avoidance of alternate host for pests and diseases.
2. Improves soil physical condition through better aeration by breaking clods.
3. Helps in breaking hard top and abstructions in the infiltration of water.
4. Improves soil biological activities through better aeration.
   

Disadvantages

1. Loss of organic matter.
2. Loss of soil through erosion even on flat lands through water and wind.
3. Loss of nutrient through excessive leaching.
4. Injury to roots and creation of entry points for pathogens.

Due to several such disadvantages, clean cultivation is not advisable in fruit farming, perhaps just before planting. Even so, it will seem inconceivable to most small holders not to use good land whenever possible and intercrops involving short duration crops and nitrogen fixing annual crops are preferred. If it should be, cultivation should be shallow and infrequent and should be stopped at flowering time.