monthly calendar of cultural operationstmnehs.gov.in/writereaddata/chap-21-appendix.pdf · l make...
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It has been observed that many litchi growers are active in their orchards only when flowers or fruits are present on the trees. They have low concern about their orchard for rest of the period. This practice is not good and leads to many problems and poor productivity
of the orchard. To maintain vigour, growth and productivity, it is necessary to perform proper operations throughout the year. As such, proper care and management is needed in litchi throughout its life span. Manuring, fertilizer application based on test report and timely orchard management practices provide continuous fruiting. The calendar of operation for field work in litchi orchard as described may be followed. The calendar of operations can be divided into two, i) annual calendar for establishing and non fruiting orchards, and ii) annual calendar for fruiting orchard.
Monthly calendar of operations for establishing and non-fruiting orchard
January
l Light irrigation at weekly intervals may be done.
l Remove the mite, leaf miner and weevil infested shoots. At bud stage, Trichogramma card may be placed @50,000/ha.
l Termite kills small and young litchi plants. Apply suitable control measure as described in the book.
February
l The process of light irrigation and termite management should be continued.
l Leaf miner problem starts at this stage. Control them by using methods as described in the book.
March
l In case, thatches were erected to prevent plants from cold waves, these may be removed and plants may be shaped by training.
l Soil may be turned in basins and 20 kg FYM and 500 g pongamia /neem cake may be mixed thoroughly followed by needful irrigation.
APPEN
DIX
ORCHARD MANAGEMENTMONTHLY CALENDAR OF CULTURAL OPERATIONS
216 A Manual for Litchi ProductionPRODUCTION
THE
April
l Soil testing may be done.
l Leaf analysis may be done for nutrient status.
l It case, new orchard is to be established, layout and pit digging may be started. Open pits may be left for 15 days and then filled with soil + FYM mixture.
l Irrigation may be done.
l Remaining plants may be properly trained, irrigation may be given and protective covering may be given to protect plants from hot air (loo).
l Apply control measures for litchi bug and fruit borers as descried.
May
l Leaf testing may be done.
l Soil testing may be done.
l Keep plant basin wet by light irrigation till wet season.
l Pending work of layout and pit digging / filling may be completed immediately in this month.
l Regular irrigation may be given and plant may be protected from loo
l Orchard ploughing may be done.
June
l Orchard ploughing may be done.
l If rain has started, apply fertilizer and mix it properly.
l In case, there is no rain, irrigate the plants.
l Plants trained in the month of May give rise to water shoot. Remove these unwanted water shoots.
July
l Planting work may be done after the commencement of rains.
l If manure and fertilizer have not been applied in the month of June, these may be applied in the first week of July.
l Litchi bug and mite may be controlled as described.
l Leaf cutting weevil attack starts in this month. DDVP 1.5 m/l may be sprayed as and when damage is recorded.
l Plant basins may be racked and weeds may be removed.
August
l Weed control operations and basin cleaning may be done.
l In case litchi mite infestation is seen. Sulphur 2g/l may be sprayed as per need. Bark eating caterpillar may attack plants, try to control them.
l Make provision to drain excess water due to rain.
September
l Remove the mite affected minor twigs and spray sulphur 2 g/l.
l For appropriate tree ideotype, training and pruning work may be done.
l Stem borer/ bark eating caterpillar may damage shoot. Control them using method as described. Bordeaux paste lime: copper sulphate: water (5:5:50) may be pasted to a height of 4 feet on trunks.
l Manage the leaf roller on new flushes by spraying chemicals as described.
October
l Orchard ploughing may be done for weed management
l In case copper deficiency is seen, copper sulphate may be sprayed @2g/l twice at 15 days interval.
l Basins cleaning work may be taken up and mulching may be done.
l Litchi mite control may be taken up, if needed.
Orchard Management 217
November
l Cypermethrin 1 ml/l or Cartiphydrochloride 2g/l may be sprayed to control the shoot borer. It will be more useful if Bt @ 1g/l is sprayed against this pest.
l Termite management may be taken up, if needed.
l In order to protect young plants from frost, thatching and light irrigation may be done.
l Water shoot may be removed
l Orchard ploughing may be done.
December
l Light irrigation may be done.
l Thatching may be done invariably in frost prone areas
Table-1: Visual monthly calendar for establishing orchard
Operation Months
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Soil testing *
Leaf testing *
Ploughing * * * *
Pre planting preparation * *
Irrigation * * * * * * * *
Fertilizer application * *
Planting *
Weeding * * *
Tree protection * * *
Pest control * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pruning *
Monthly Calendar of Operation for Fruiting Orchards
Fruiting orchards need special attention and management. Timely fertilizer application, pruning, pest management and stress management leads to higher production of quality fruits. Monthly work schedule for fruiting orchard is presented hereunder.
January
l Orchard ploughing may be done but irrigation work must be stopped.
l First spray of zinc sulphate @ 2 g/l may be done.
l Pruning of mite affected twigs may be done.
l Remove the mite, leaf miner and weevil infested shoots. At bud stage, Trichogramma card may be placed @50,000/ha.
February
l Leaf analysis may be done for nutrient status.
l Second spray of zinc sulphate may be done after 15 days of first spray.
l Honey bee boxes @ 10/ha may be introduced at the time of flowering in the orchard.
218 A Manual for Litchi ProductionPRODUCTION
THE
March
l Nymphs of litchi bug may be seen at this stage. Metasystox 1 ml/l or Dimethoate 1 ml/l may be sprayed at 10-15 days interval. Timing of spray may be scheduled carefully to avoid bee toxicity.
l After one week of fruit setting, apply planofix 2 ml / 5lit of water or NAA 20 mg/l once.
l After 15 days of fruiting, spray borax 4 gm / l once.
l When fruit setting is over, apply 1/3 amount of nitrogen and irrigate the basins at 5-7 days interval.
l Irrigation may be done.
April
l After 15 days of first boron sprays, apply second spray and repeat it at 30 days.
l Manage litchi bug as and when needed.
l Soil and leaf analysis may be done.
l Apply irrigation water as per need. Sprinkler/drip irrigation is more useful at this stage.
l In order to control fruit and seed borer, apply cypermethrin 1 ml/l before 45 days of fruit maturity and repeat it at 10-15 days interval.
May
l Irrigate plants at regular interval until fruit maturity.
l Harvest fruits when colour is deep red and TSS comes nearby 17-19%. Morning hour is the best time for litchi harvesting. Before intense sun and heat, fruit must reach the grading and packaging houses.
l Fruit may be harvested with twigs of 15-20cm.
l Unwanted and insect infected twigs may be removed. Manage the canopy to a desired level. Plant height should not exceed 4-5mt. Pruning may be done to allow sunlight and aeration to entire canopy and plant parts.
l Soil and leaf analysis may be done for nutrient management.
June
l Pruning work, if was not done, must be completed in this month.
l Medium and late varieties may be harvested.
l Ploughing may be done to incorporate mulch materials in the soil.
l Make trench under canopy 150 to 200cm apart from trunk.
l Leave it for 5-6 days, afterwards fill it with a mixture of FYM + Soil + Fertilizer. This process may be repeated at 3 years interval. During rest of the years, FYM and fertilizer may be mixed in plant basins.
July
l Late varieties may be harvested.
l If fertilizer and FYM application work is pending, complete it in first week of July.
l Manage leaf cutting weevil as suggested.
August
l In case litchi mite is seen, apply Kelethane 1.25 ml / l
September
l Apply second spray for mite control.
l Plough the orchard.
l Leaf roller management during new flush is required
October
l Ploughing may be done if it has not been done. Mulching may be done in basins
l Mite control may be continued.
November
l For shoot borer carbaryl 2g/l or Cypermethrin 1 ml/l may be sprayed twice at 2 days interval.
l Don’t apply fertilizer or irrigation water in the orchard.
Orchard Management 219
December
l Remove mite infested twigs.
l Don’t apply fertilizer or irrigation water in the orchard.
Table-2: Visual monthly calendar for fruiting orchards
Operation Months
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Soil testing * *
Leaf testing * *
Ploughing * * * *
Irrigation * * *
Fertilizer application * *
Micronutrient * * * * *
Hormone application
Weeding and ploughing * * *
Tree protection * * *
Pest control * * * * * * *
Harvesting * * *
Pruning * *