Weed control in orchards is most essential around the tree bases, called tree rings. Sometimes these rings are joined by weeding in continuous 1.5 to 3 m strips down the tree rows. Here the weeds, in addition to competing with the growth of trees, interfere with fruit picking, tree pruning, and other cultural operations. The tree bases are not easily [...]
Organic fruit crop management is not just exclusion of synthetic inputs and substitution by organically acceptable inputs. Simple input substitution may fulfill the requirement of certification standards, but it will not guarantee the sustainability and long term productivity with intact resource pool. Organic orchard management begins with right selection of site, selection of high quality cultivars, planting of healthy saplings, [...]
The following points highlight the five main soil management practices of orchard. The practices are: 1. Soil Culture 2. Inter Culture 3. Weed Management 4. Manuring and Fertilization 5. Irrigation Systems. Practice # 1. Soil Culture: (i) Tillage: It means ploughing and hoeing of the soil. The objective of the tillage is to loosen and pulverize the soil so that [...]