Manuring, fertilization and irrigation of Sweet Orange

Manuring and fertilization

 
           Fertilizer requirement of the plants is influenced by various factors like age of the plant, root-stock used soil and climate alongwith the crop load in bearing trees. No uniform fertilizer recommendation can be made for all sweet orange cultivars in different agro-climatic regions. 

Combined nutritional spray for sweet orange

Nutrient	Quantity (kg)
Zinc sulphate	2.25
Copper sulphate	1.45
Magnesium sulphate	0.90
Manganese sulphate	0.90
Ferrous sulphate	0.90
Boric acid	0.45
Slaked lime	4.00
Urea	4.50
Water	454.00 litres

 

Irrigation

         Sweet oranges require more water because sap circulation never entirely ceases and transpiration takes place throughout the year. Being are evergreen plant, sweet orange requires good amount of water and water deficiency moisture stress at critical periods such as front development checks the growth reduces fruit size and quality. Thus moisture stress during the period of growth, flowering and fruit development should always be avoided.

             The frequency of irrigation is influenced by soil, climate, variety and age of plants. In northern India and western Maharashtra, water is applied at every 6–8 days intervals from March to June and every 10–12 days intervals during November–February. Sweet orange being is susceptible to waterlogging and Phytophthera rot stagnation of water in the orchard and around the tree trunk is to be avoided.

                 In young plants up to the age of 8-year, the irrigation should be given through basin system of irrigation. In grown up and old orchards, food system of irrigation may be adopted avoiding water content with tree trunks. In western Maharashtra, drip irrigation system is gaining popularity, ring system of irrigation is adopted for this. Double ring system or bed irrigation is best in reducing the water contact with the tree trunk thus avoiding fungal of infection.

             A grown up sweet orange tree needs about 25–20 irrigations in a year, amounting about 1,325mm of water. Its plants have highest demand of water during fruit development. It is advisable to irrigate the orchard after the fruits have attained pea size.