Production Technology of Fruit Crops:

Mango (Mangifera Indica):

• Origin and Importance:
• Native to India, cultivated for over 400 years.
• India contributes approximately 56% of global mango production.
• Climate and Soil Requirements:
• Ideal soil: Alluvial to lateritic, pH slightly acidic.
• Climate: Tropical, can grow up to 1,100m above sea level.
• Temperature: 24-27°C; Rainfall: 25-250cm.
• Varieties:
• Over 1,000 varieties in India.
• Commercial varieties differ regionally (e.g., Banganapalli in Andhra Pradesh, Alphonso in Karnataka).
• Propagation:
• Methods include lnarching, veneer and side grafting, epicotyl/stone grafting.
• Planting Techniques:
• Systems: Square, rectangular, hexagonal.
• Planting Season: June to September.
• High-Density Planting for varieties like Mango Amrapali.
• After Care and Management:
• Includes training, pruning, manuring, and intercropping.

Banana:

• Climate Requirements:
• Temperature range: 10°C to 40°C.
• Suitable for humid tropics, up to 1500 meters altitude.
• Soil Preferences:
• Deep, well-drained soil with pH 5.5 – 8.0.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated through suckers; tissue culture also common.
• Irrigation and Fertilization:
• Initial irrigation after planting, regular watering.
• Pests and Diseases Management:
• Major diseases include Panama wilt and Sigatoka leaf spot.

Citrus (Oranges, Lemons, etc.):

• Botanical Classification:
• Family: Rutaceae.
• Origin: South East Asia.
• Soil and Climate:
• Prefers subtropical climate; ideal soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5.
• Manure and Fertilizers:
• Applied twice a year, specific to variety and region.
• Pests and Diseases Management:
• Common diseases include Moko wilt and Tip over or heart rot.

Grapes:

• Climate and Soil Requirements:
• Subtropical fruit; soil preference: well-drained rich loamy soil.
• Varieties and Propagation:
• Over 10,000 varieties worldwide; mainly propagated by hard wood cuttings.
• Manuring and Irrigation:
• Regular manuring and irrigation crucial.
• Pests and Diseases:
• Common pests include nematodes and flea beetles.

Papaya:

• Origin and Nutritional Value:
• Native of Tropical America; rich in Vitamin A.
• Soil and Climate Preferences:
• Tropical climates, temperatures 35-38°C.
• Propagation and Harvesting:
• Propagated from seeds; fruit crop available 12-14 months after planting.
• Nutrient and Water Management:
• Regular application essential for fruit development.
• Papain Extraction:
• Extracted from unripe green fruits; used in medicine and industry.

Sapota (Chikoo):

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Tropical and subtropical conditions; well-drained loamy soil.
• Varieties:
• Multiple varieties, each with distinct taste and texture.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagation primarily through seeds; grafting also practiced.

Guava:

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Prefers tropical and subtropical climates; fertile, well-drained soil.
• Varieties:
• Numerous varieties, including both white and pink flesh types.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated by seeds and vegetative methods like grafting.

Pineapple:

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Grows in tropical climate; soil should be well-drained, slightly acidic.
• Varieties:
• Various cultivars available, each with unique flavor and texture.
• Propagation:
• Propagated from crowns, slips, and suckers.

Jackfruit:

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Requires humid tropical climate; fertile, well-drained soil.
• Varieties:
• Different varieties known for distinct taste and fruit size.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated mainly from seeds; grafting also practiced.

Pomegranate:

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Prefers subtropical and arid climates; well-drained soil.
• Varieties:
• Multiple varieties, known for sweet and tart flavors.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated from cuttings and by grafting.

Custard Apple:

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Warm climate with high humidity; grows up to 1000 meters altitude.
• Varieties:
• Includes Balanagar, Red Sitaphal, and African Pride.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated by seeds; vegetative propagation for uniformity.

Ber and Jamun:

• Ber - Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Suitable for arid and semi-arid regions; tolerates high temperatures.
• Jamun - Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Prefers tropical and subtropical conditions; well-drained deep loam soil.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Both propagated by seeds; vegetative propagation recommended for Jamun.

Amla (Indian Gooseberry):

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Tolerates subtropical and tropical humid conditions.
• Varieties:
• Includes Chakaiya, Banarasi, Krishna, and Kanchan.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Seed propagation gives variation; vegetative propagation preferred.

Wood Apple and Bael:

• Wood Apple - Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Grown in dry tracts of tropical and sub-tropical regions.
• Bael - Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Prefers subtropical condition with hot dry summer.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Both are propagated mainly through seeds.

Date Palm:

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Ideal for areas with long hot summers; deep sandy loam soil.
• Cultivars:
• Includes Halawy, Khadrawy, Barhee, Zahidi, and Medjool.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated by seeds and vegetative propagation through off-shoots.

Subtropical Fruits (Mangosteen):

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Requires humid, warm subtropical climates; well-drained soil.
• Varieties:
• Cultivars are known for their unique flavor and nutritional value.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated mainly through seeds; grafting is also practiced.

Fig:

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Grows in a wide range of climates; prefers well-drained soil.
• Varieties:
• Numerous varieties, each known for its distinct flavor.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated from cuttings; grafting also used.

Litchi:

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Prefers subtropical climate with distinct dry and wet seasons.
• Varieties:
• Includes Shahi, China, and Bombai.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated through air layering and grafting.

Avocado:

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Grows in tropical and subtropical climates; well-drained soil.
• Varieties:
• Different varieties known for their buttery texture and rich flavor.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated from seeds and grafting.

Durian and Carambola (Star Fruit):

• Durian - Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Requires tropical climate; rich, well-drained soil.
• Carambola - Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Grows in tropical and subtropical climates; prefers loamy soil.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Both propagated through seeds and vegetative methods.

Rambutan and Longan:

• Rambutan - Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Prefers humid tropical climates; fertile, well-drained soil.
• Longan - Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Requires warm subtropical climate; soil pH 5.5 to 6.0.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagation mainly through seeds; air layering for Longan.

Apple (Malus pumila):

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Requires temperate climate; well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
• Varieties:
• Includes Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and McIntosh.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated by grafting; rootstocks include Malus sylvestris, M. prunifolia.

Pear (Pyrus spp.):

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Adaptable to a wide range of climates; well-drained, fertile soil.
• Varieties:
• Includes Bartlett, Anjou, and Flemish Beauty.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagated by budding and grafting; rootstocks are typically from Pyrus spp.

Plums and Prunes (Prunus spp.):

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Adapted to many ecologies; requires 100-125 cm of rainfall.
• Varieties:
• Different cultivars adapted to various climatic conditions.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagation: Cuttings and clonal rootstocks.

Peach and Nectarines (Prunus persica):

• Climatic and Soil Requirements:
• Ideal for warm temperate climates; well-drained sandy soil.
• Varieties:
• Includes different cultivars for peaches and nectarines.
• Propagation and Planting:
• Propagation: T-budding, cuttings; various rootstocks used.

***