High density orchard systems for 'Himsagar' mango in the new alluvial zone of West Bengal.
Banik B. C., Maity P. K., Hasan M. A., Ghosh S. N.
Author Affiliation: Department of Fruits and Orchard Management, Faculty of Horticulture, Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswasvidyalaya, PO - KrishiViswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
: 241-246
Abstract : High density orcharding appears to be the most appropriate solution to overcome low productivity and the long gestation period for early return and export of mangoes. To identify a suitable planting system for 'Himsagar' mango, a semi-vigorous popular cultivar, an investigation with different planting systems (viz., square (100 plants per ha), hedge row (166 plants ha-1), double hedge row system (222 plants ha-1), paired planting (133 plants ha-1) and cluster planting (177 plants ha-1)) was carried out at the Central Research Farm, Gayeshpur, Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya, Nadia, West Bengal (India) during 2003-2006. The soils of the experimental site were sandy loam having pH 6.8 and the climate was sub-tropical. Amongst the different planting systems studied, it was noted that greatest growth was recorded with the square planting system. The double hedge row system was found to be the most suitable planting system as fruit yield was highest per plot without any consequent deterioration of fruit quality in the initial years of orchard life when the competition for moisture, nutrients and solar radiation amongst the plants were low. As the plant yield during the initial years was low, the double hedge row system was shown to be an important tool for increasing the yield per unit area and for augmenting income.