HORT 111 Fundamentals of Horticulture
Q. 1. Classify horticultural crops on different basis and explain classification based on duration of life.
➢ Classification of horticultural crops on different basis is given below : 1) Duration of life
2) Climatic requirement
3) Growth habit
4) Plant part used f or consumption
5) Growing season
6) Botanical classification etc.
Classification based on duration of life is given below :
i. Annuals- strawberry , brinjal,
ii. Biennials- papaya, onion
iii. Perennials- mango, guava
Q. 2. Branches of horticulture : Pomology , Olericulture, Ornamental horticulture- Commercial, Floriculture, Arboriculture, Landscape gardening, spices and plantation crops, medicinal and aromatic crops, preservation of fruits and vegetables.
Q. 3. Give the uses of plant growth regulators in horticulture.
➢ Uses of plant growth regulators in horticulture are given below :
1) Propagation of plants - The most common use of plant regulators in horticulture is to induce rooting in stem cuttings and in air and soil layers.
2) Seed germination
3) Regulate plant growth
4) Regulate flowering - The plant growth regulators are used f or the regulation of f lowering in certain crops. In pineapple f lowering is irregular and harvesting becomes a problem and hence to regulate f lower production, plant regulators are used.
5) Modify sex expression
6) Control fruit setting and fruit drop
7) Fruit thinning
8) Fruit ripening
9) Induce dormancy
10) Control weeds
11) Induce parthenocarpy
Q. 4. Define Horticulture. Enlist scope of horticulture in India and Maharashtra explain Utilization of land and Government incentives
➢ Horticulture: Horticulture is branch of agriculture which is concerned with cultivation of garden crops.
Importance of horticulture in India: Horticulture is important for health, wealth, hygiene and happiness.
1) As a source of variability in produce. Financial stability to farmers (continuous f low of money ) 2) As a source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, flavour, aroma, alkaloids, oleoresins, fibre, etc. (protective food)
3) As a source of medicine.
4) Effective utilization of waste land through cultivation of hardy fruits and medicinal plants. 5) As a substitute f or family income being the component of home garden/ kitchen garden. 6) As a foreign exchange earner, has higher share compare to agriculture crops. 7) As an input f or industry being amenable to processing, especially fruit and vegetable preservation industry.
8) Aesthetic consideration and protection of the environment. trees helps to reduce soil erosion 9) Religious significance in the country .
10) Can be grown in rainfed condition (87% in Maharashtra)
11) Mixed, multi-storey , intercropping, crop diversification
12) It enhances land value and creates better purchasing power f or those who are engaged in this industry.
Scope of horticulture in India: Like any other things, scope of horticulture depends on incentive it has for the farmers, adaptability of the crops, necessity and facilities for future growth through inputs availability and infrastructure for the distribution of produce/marketing etc.
1. Incentive for the farmer:
• The biggest incentive for the farmer is money.
• Horticultural crops provide more returns in terms of per unit area of production, export v value, value addition compared to agricultural crops.
2. Adaptability: India is bestowed with a great variety of climatic and edaphic conditions as we have climates varying f rom tropical, subtropical, temperate and within these humid, semi-arid, arid, frost free temperate etc.
3. Necessity: To meet the nutritional requirement in terms of vitamins and minerals horticulture crops are to be grown in sufficient quantities to provide a bare minimum of 85 g of fruits and 200 g of vegetables per head per day with a population of above 120 crores.
4. Export value:
• Among fresh fruits-mangoes and grapes; in vegetables- onion and potato; among f lowers, roses; among plantation - cashewnut, tea , coffee, coconut, arecanut, and spice crops like black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, chillies, etc., constitute the bulk of the export basket. • European and gulf countries are major importer of horticultural produce.
5. Reasons for scope of Horticulture in India are:
• To exploit the great variability of agro climatic conditions in the country . • To meet the requirement of processing industry. Systematic approach to reduce post harvest losses.
• To substitute import and increase export.
6. Upgradation of production technology – yield & quality new varieties, rootstock, healthy planting material, new machinery, etc.
Explanation :
1) Utilization of land: The hilly and undulating cultivable waste land in India is about 9.65 lakh hectares can be brought under cultivation by growing dry land fruit crops such as Custard apple, Aonla, Ber, Dates, Tamarind, Pomegranate. Fig etc.
2) Government incentives: Realizing the need f or area expansion of fruit crops. during 1990, Government of Maharashtra have started a very ambitious program me which gives 100% subsidy to the marginal farmers, towards the establishment and maintenance of fruit orchard f or a period of three y ears and National Horticulture Mission during 2005 which is now named as Mission f or Integrated Development of Horticulture.
Q. 5. Enlist different climatic factors for growing fruit orchard and write in detail rainfall and light factors.
➢ The different climatic factors for growing fruit orchard are as under
(1) Temperature
(2) Atmospheric humidity
(3) Rainfall
(4) Wind
(5) Hail storm
(6) Light
Explanation (Climatic factors)
1) Rainfall: The quantity of annual rainfall as well as its distribution play s and important role in the success or failure of fruit growing Excessive rain occurring in short period is generally unfavorable to fruits as it leads to water logging Rain at the blooming period may wash away the pollens and thereby inhibit pollination. In low rainfall regions, cultivation of fruit crops is difficult if adequate and cheap irrigation facilities are not available.
2) Light: Fruit exposed to light are found to be better in quality than those receiving less light. In santra it has been observed that the fruits borne on upper half of the tree and consequently receiv ing more light were found to be richer in vitamin C and sugar contents. Fruits exposed to strong sun light are high, as in vidarbha region the plant stem is likely to suffer from sun burn. In tropical region, the light is not such a problem, but in temperate region, care has to be taken that the trees receive good light f or which it is necessary to train and prune the trees in a particular fashion.
3) Temperature: It is an important determinant of plant growth. High as well as low temperatures influence the growth of plants. Broad leaved, ever green plants are very much susceptible to low temperature. Fall of temperature below 5OC put a strain on the survival of such plants. Deciduous plants by their adoptive mechanism to shed foliage are better able to tolerate low temperature. Such plants pass their lives in dormant stage during winter. Generally, a temperature range of 20 - 30OC is considered ideal f or majority of tropical and subtropical plants.
Q. 6. Define plant propagation. Enlist methods of propagation and give advantages and disadvantages of its.
➢ Plant Propagation – Plant propagation is defined as the process of creating new plants f rom a variety of sources : seeds, cutting, bulbs and other plant part.
Methods of propagation –
1) Sexual
2) Asexual Method
A) Sexual Method – multiplication of plants by using seed is called sexual propagation.
Advantages:
1) For evolution of new varieties through breeding, the hybrids are raised f rom seed. 2) seed propagated rootstocks are hardy and develop better roots system. 3) virused don’t transmit through seeds, thus mostly the seedlings are free from virus diseases.
Disadvantages:
1) Seedlings have a long juvenile period And come into bearing later as compared to Asexually raised plants.
2) Due to segregation of characters, the progeny is not true to type.
B) Asexual Method –
Advantages :
1) In some fruit plants like banana, which do not bear seeds, that is the only method of propagation.
2) The plants are generally true to type, uniform in growth, yielding capacity and fruit quality . 3) have short juvenile phase, thus come into bearing earlier than seeding plants.
Disadvantages :
1) new variety cannot be evolved by this method.
2) plants are not so vigorous and long lived as the seedling trees.
3) germplasm conservation requires lot of space and is expensive as compared to storage seeds.
Q. 7. Classification of horticultural crops based on climate
➢ I) Temperate Fruits:
This class of fruits grown successfully in cold regions where temperature falls below freezing point during winters. During the cold season, the trees, sheds their leaves and goes into rest period. For breaking this rest period, a definite chilling period is required.
Fruits : Apple, pear, walnut, almond, plum, peaches, strawberry etc.
ii) Sub tropical crops - summer are hot and dry and winter are less mild. Fruits : Citrus, Guava, Pomegranate etc.
iii) Tropical crops - summer are hot and humid mild winter.
Fruits : Banana, Sapota ,Mango, Papaya, Pineapple etc.
Q. 8. Define.
1) Pruning – Removal of diseased, dried and unwanted branches to divert the food material to words fruiting area.
2) Parthenocarpy – Formation of fruit without seed is called us parthenocarpy.
3) Plant Propagation - Plant propagation is defined as the process of creating new plants from a variety of sources : seeds, cutting, bulbs and other plant part.
4) Hedge - Planting of trees or shrub at regular interval in a series to f rom a continues screen is called a hedge.
5) Juvenility - It is the period in which a seedling remains in an immature vegetative growth stage without the differentiation of meristems into floral tissue. It is a period when plants are not capable Of flowering.
Q. 9. State the objectives of training and write in detail about the training methods followed in fruit crops.
➢ Objectives of training :
1. To admit more light and air to the Centre of the tree and to expose maximum leaf surface to the sun.
2. To direct the growth of the tree in such way that various cultural operation such as spray ing harvesting etc. can be performed at the lowest cost.
3. To protect the tree f rom sunburn and wind damages.
4. To secure a balanced distribution of the fruit bearing on the main limb of the plants. Methods of training :
1) Central leader: In this system the main stem is allowed to grow unchecked. Since the main stem has the advantage of special dominant it grows vertically i.e. upwards. A series of well spaced branches are allowed to grow laterally. Generally 5 to 6 well spaced branches in all
directions around the trunk are retained. The apical dominance of the lateral branches resulting in a robust close centered tall tree. Its main advantage is the development of strong crotches due to the function of the limb and the trunk. Such a tree bears fruits at the top while the lower branches remain more or less shaded and become ultimately less vigorous and less fruitful e.g. Mango, Sapota.
2) Open Centre : The open centre or vase type of tree has no main or central branch but a series of well spaced coordinated lateral branches. These laterals are given the same dominance. All the coordinated branches make growth each year. The main advantages of this tree form are that light penetration becomes sufficient f or the fruiting of inner branches. Low headed tree facilitates operations like pruning. Thinning, spraying and picking. Its main disadvantage is that the tree develops crowded crotches, which frequently break under severe stress and strain like heavy bearing of fruits e.g. Apple, Pear, Peach, Plum.
3) Modified leader: The training of trees under modified leader is between the central leader and open center. The central leader is allowed to grow for a few years and then headed back. The modified leader trained type of tree thus has low and well spaced limbs, with distributed fruiting wood and is sufficiently close to the ground to facilities many of the orchard operations of the other two types.
Q. 10. Define Unfruitfulness. Enlist the different causes of unfruitfulness. ➢ A) Internal factors
(a) Evolutionary Tendencies
1. Imperfect flower
2. Heterostyly
3. Dichogamy
4. Structural peculiarities
5. Abortion of pistil or ovule
6. Importance of pollen
(b) Genetic Influence:
1. Sterility & unfruitfulness due to hybridity: Hybridity, many - a- times result in development of self - sterile or unfruitful plants. Generally wide crossing (more distantly related) increases the degree of sterility. Seedlessness of cultivated varieties of banana and pineapple is attributed to the hybridity .
2. Incompatibility: One of the most common causes of self sterility and unfruitfulness is incompatibility between pollen and ovule. Both the pollen and ovule of the plant are fertile but they fail to effect fertilization and the plant become self sterile even unfruitful if pollination does not take place f rom the pollen of other variety. eg. apple, pear plum apricot are self -unfruitful due to incompatibility .
(c) Physiological Factors:
1. Unfruitfulness due to slow growth of pollen tube
2. Due to early or late pollination
3. Nutritive condition within plant body
B) External causes :
1.Environment: Conditions at the onset and during flowering affect fruit setting. Sometimes defective pistils, ovules, embryo sac or pollen grains render the plants dichogamous, at other instances the transfer of the pollen may be affected or the development of the pollen tube rendered slow to bring about changes in the extent of fruiting.
2. Nutrient supply
3. Pruning & grafting
4. Locality
5. Season
6. Age and vigour of plant
7. Temperature
8. Light
9. Water relations
10. Rains at blossoming
11. Wind
12. Insect and diseases attack
13. Spraying during blossoming
Q. 11. What is kitchen garden? Enlist the advantages of kitchen gardening and explain design of kitchen garden.
➢ Kitchen Garden: ‘Utilization of bear land around the house f or the purpose of growing vegetables crops is known as kitchen garden or home garden.’
Objective :
1. To produce required vegetables for a family regularly .
2. To provide a source of recreation & exercise is especially f or ladies.
3. It aims at effective & efficient use of land f or growing vegetables in order to have a continuous & fresh supply of vegetables through out the y ear.
Advantages of kitchen garden are as below :
1) Kitchen garden supplies daily fresh vegetable throughout the year to family member. 2) This gives exercise and recreation to family member particularly pensioner. 3) This gives education to small children about plant life while working with plant. 4) Kitchen garden reduces the cost and time on purchasing the vegetables f rom market.
Design of kitchen garden
The design of kitchen garden depends on the characters of the particular pieces of land, its extend, situation, etc. The following principles should follow in designing the lay out of kitchen garden.
1) In most cases there is a limited choice f or the selection of the site f or a kitchen garden. The land is selected usually in the backyard of the house, where possibly a rectangular piece of land rather than square is preferable.
2) The lay out should be such as to make a garden look attractive and allow access to all parts. As various kinds of vegetables will be grown in different parts of the y ear. the land will have to be laid out in small plots with narrow paths and borders.
3) In homes where no space is available one can grow vegetables in pot or boxes. But preference should be given to such vegetables which produce more numbers of fruits from individual plant, i.e. tomato, brinjal, chillies and cucurbits.
4) One or two compost pits can be dug in the corner of the garden. The quick growing fruit trees, papaya, banana and kagzi lime should be located on north side of the garden so that they may not shade the other crops.
5) Climbing type vegetables like cucurbits, peas can be trained on the fences or wall. Several sowing or a succession of sowing of one particular crop of short intervals should be done to ensure a steady of vegetables.
6) The ridges which separate the beds should be utilized f or growing root crop like radish. turnip, beet and carrot.
Q. 12. What is lawn ? Explain in detail the planting methods of lawn.
➢ Definition : ‘A lawn can be defined as the green carpet f or a landscape.’
Importance :
1. It is a basic feature for home & ground development
2. An essential feature f or any other type of garden.
3. In a home garden a lawn improves the appearance of house enhances its beauty 4. Increases conveniences & usefulness thus adding monetary value to the real estate.
Methods of preparing lawn :
1) By sowing of seeds: A lawn is prepared by sowing of seeds. The seed of grasses are very minute. Hence mixed in sand in a proportion of 2:1. The seeds are broadcasted evenly and irrigation is given. The seeds are germinated in 15 -20 day s. A lawn is establish if the gaps are there they filled by gap filling. By sowing. 30 kg of seeds required per ha of land.
2) By planting cuttings of grasses (Dibbling): The rooted cutting are uprooted are dibbled on prepared piece of land. 4-5 cm of cuttings are prepared and dibbled in a straight line. Once cuttings are established by striking roots regular irrigations are given and lawn is maintained by regular irrigation and mowing.
3) By Turf plastering: a lawn is prepared by turf plastering in which small pieces of 2-3 cm of grasses are prepared and added into a slurry or paste made out of 2 part of river clay soil and 1 part of cow dung. The pieces are well mixed in slurry then slurry is pasted over a prepared piece of land.
4) By Turfing: the lawn is prepared by planting already prepared turf pieces in the nursery . The turf grasses are raised on raised beds. They are pruned up to 1 inch on raised beds and scrapped with root system into 30-75 cm pieces. The turf pieces then placed one adjoining another. Crevices are filled by soil and grass piece and pressed evenly and tightly on a prepared piece of land. A lawn can be prepared by mixture of the above methods.
Q. 13. Enlist methods of irrigation in fruit crops and explain in brief.
➢ Different Irrigation methods are given below :
1) Surf ace irrigation method:
i) Uncontrolled flooding
ii) Border method
iii) Basin system
iv) modified basin method
v) Furrow method
2) Sub-surf ace irrigation method
3) Sprinkler irrigation
4) Drip irrigation n
5) Micro-irrigation
Drip irrigation
It is a method of watering plants in the form of drops at a rate equivalent to its consumptive use. A typical drip system consists of a pump set, main line, filter and fertilizer tank, lateral pipes and drippers or emitters. There are several merits of drip system like uniform distribution of water, control water losses and saves water, control weed problem etc. High establishment and maintenance cost are the demerits of drip system.
Bed method -
In method the field is leveled and divided into small beds surrounded by bunds of 15 to 30 cm high. Small irrigation channels are provided between two adjacent rows of beds. The length of the bed varies from 30 meters for loamy soils to 90 meters f or clayey soils. The width is so adjusted as to permit the water to flow evenly and wet the land uniformly . For high value crops, the beds may be still smaller especially where water is costly and not very abundant. This method is adaptable to most soil textures except sandy soils and is suitable f or high value crops. It requires leveled land. It is more efficient in the use of water and ensures its uniform application. It is suitable f or crops plant in lines or sown by broadcast.
Q. 14. Define pruning. Enlist its methods and a list of objectives and principles of pruning. ➢ Pruning : Pruning can be defined as an art of removing sufficiently, certain portion of the plant with a view to divert the sap f low towards the fruiting area present on the plant and by that way toproduce more and superior quality of fruits.
Objective of pruning
1. To divert the flow of sap towards to fruiting area of crops.
2. To keep the plant in manageable shape.
3. To make the plant to bear abundant and superior quality of fruits.
Methods of Pruning :
1. Heading back : This is method of pruning in which only certain part of all the shoots on the plants is pruned out of all the shoots on the plant is pruned out or removed but no any shoot
is removed completely . In this method the terminal buds are left on the branches of the plant. It is deciduous plants very commonly , it is of ten followed f or pruning hedges, ornamental shrubs apple and grape in October pruning, spur pruning.
2. Thinning out : This is the method of pruning where in some shoot are completely removed and only certain shoot are allowed to remain on the tree. The thinned tend to grow tall and compact.
Q. 15. Enlist different systems of planting of fruit orchard and explain any two of them. ➢ There are six system of planting in which the fruit trees are commonly planted. These are as follows:
1. Square system
2. Rectangular system
3. Quincunx or diagonal system
4. Hexagonal system
5. Triangular system
6. Contour system
1. Square system
The square system of planting is the simplest and the most convenient to lay -out. Trees are set at the corner of square formed by intersecting lengthwise parallel lines with crosswise parallel line . This system of planting is universally adopted all over India. It has many advantages. Irrigation channels can see straight. Operation like ploughing, harrowing, cultivation, spraying, harvesting etc. becomes easy when trees are planted at equal distance f rom each other in regular line. Better watching of the orchard is possible as many tree passers can be sighted even f rom the end of the orchard..
2. Rectangular system
The trees are planted in straight rows running at straight angle on the side of the field. The distance from plant to plant and row to row is not the same and f our trees joined at the base give a rectangle. Cultivation irrigation can be done in two directions.
3. Hexagonal system
In this method trees are planted at each corner of equilateral triangle. This way six tree from hexagon with the seventh tree in the center. That’s why it is also called as septule. This plan can be usually employed where land is expensive, and is very fertility with good available water
supply. The trees are equally spaced from each other but it is difficult to layout. In this layout 15% more plants are accommodated than the square system. In this system inter cultivation difficult.
Q. 16. Write short note.
1) Medicinal & aromatic plants: It is branch of horticulture science which deals with cultivation of medicinal crops that provides drugs and aromatic crops which yield aromatic oils. Medicinal crops: Senna, alovera, tulsi, sarpgandha etc.
Aromatic plants: citronella, lemon grass, vetivar, davana etc.
Uses of aromatic crops:
1.In food and flavour industry to improve the flavour of the food – spices and condiments also contains essential oils.
2. In perfumery , soap and cosmetics.
3. Pharmaceutical and drug industries.
4. To manufacture pesticides, disinfectants due to antifungal, antiseptic and insecticidal properties.
5. In paint industry – as solvents.
6. Distilled wastes are used in manufacture of card boards, cheap paper, and packing material.
Medicinal plant importance : Medicinal plants are used with the intention of maintaining health, to be administered f or a specific condition, or both, whether in modern medicine or in traditional medicine The Food and Agriculture Organization estimated in 2002 that over 50,000 medicinal plants are used across the world The Roy al Botanic Gardens, Kew more conservatively estimated in 2016 that 17,810 plant species have a medicinal use, out of some 30,000 plants f or which a use of any kind is documented. In modern medicine, around a quarter of the drugs prescribed to patients are derived f rom medicinal plants, and they are rigorously tested In other systems of medicine, medicinal plants may constitute the majority of what are of ten informal attempted treatments, not tested scientifically.
2) Types of seed dormancy : Failure of the seed to germinate even though they are Placed in favorable conditions f or germination are knows as seed dormancy . The seed germination is hampered due to various types of dormancies.
1) Dormancy due to rudimentary embryo - Some plant shed their fruits before the seed has matured enough to germinate, such seeds do not germinate because of immature embryos.
2) Seed coat dormancy - The seed f ail to germinate due to present of hard seed coat which is impermeable to water and air.
3) Dormancy due to physiologically dormant embryo or physiologically dormancy. It is common in the seeds of certain woody plants. The germination is regulated by inner tissue of seed such as embryo and endosperm.
4) Double dormancy - Some seed have both seed coat dormancy and embryo dormancy : such seeds require both scarification as well as stratification to overcome the dormancy . 5) Secondary dormancy - Failure of seed to germinate due to expire to some unfavorable condition, such as high temperature or high moisture after stratification.
3) Botanical classification of fruit crops: Fruits are classified according to the botanical relationship, physiological characters of plant development, organization and structure, morphological and cytological similarities, place of origin and floral biology . These levels are kingdom, division, class, subclass, order, family, genus, species, variety and structure. Fruits are coming f rom plant kingdom spermatophyta and division angiospermae.
It is further divided into two class Monocotyledon and Dicotyledonous.
1) Monocotyledons : Family
Musaceae- Banana
Bromeliaceae: Pineapple
2) Dicotyledons: Family
Rhamnaceae-Ber
Annonaceae: - Custard apple
Myrtaceae: Guava, Jamun
Caricaceae: Papaya
Sapotaceae- Sapota
Moraceae: - Fig.
Apocynaceae: Karonda.
Punicaceae: - Pomegranate
Rutaceae: - Citrus
Vitaceae: - Grape
Anacardiaceae: Mango
Important Topics In 2022-23 Question Paper :-
# Horticultural crops and Human Nutrition
Fruits and vegetables play an important role in balanced diet. These provide not only energy rich food but also provide vital protective nutrients/elements and vitamins. Comparatively fruits and vegetables are the cheapest source of natural nutritive foods. Since most of Indians are vegetarians, the incorporation of horticulture produce in daily diet is essential for good health. With the growing awareness and inclination towards vegetarianism worldwide the horticulture crops are gaining tremendous importance.
Functions of fruits and vegetables in human body:
1. Fruits and vegetables provide palatability, taste, improve appetite and provide fibre thereby the constipation can be overcome.
2. They neutralize the acids produced during digestion of proteins and fatty acids. 3. They improve the general immunity of human body against diseases, deficiencies etc. 4. They are the important source of vitamins and minerals for used in several bio-chemical reactions occur in body.
Fruits:- Fruits provide higher energy value per unit area compared to cereals. Some of the essential nutrients provided by different fruits are:
Vitamins/ Minerals
Role in human body Source
Vitamin-A
1. Essential for growth and reproduction.
2. Helps in resistance to infections, increases longevity and decreases senility. 3. Deficiency causes, night blindness, xeropthalmia, retardation in growth, roughness in skin, formation of stones in kidney. Eg. Mango, Papaya, Persimon, Dates, Jack fruit, Walnut, Oranges, Passion fruit, Loquât etc.
Vitamin – B2
1. Important for growth, health of skin and for respiration in poorly vascularised tissue such as the cornea.
2. Deficiency causes pellagra and alopecia, loss of appetite, loss of weight, sore throat, development of cataract, swollen nose and baldness. Eg. Bael, Papaya, Litchi, Pomegranate, Wood apple and Pineapple.
Vitamin – C
1. Deficiency causes scurvy, pain in joints, swelling of limbs, unhealthy gums, tooth decay, delay in wound healing and rheumatism. Eg. Barbados cherry, Aonla, Guava, Lime, Lemon, Sweet oranges, Ber, Pineapple and Pear.
Vitamin – B1
1 . Essential for the maintains of good appetite and normal digestion.
2. Necessary for growth, fertility, lactation and for normal functioning of nervous system. 3. Deficiency causes beri-beri, paralysis, loss the sensitivity of skin, enlargement of heart, loss of appetite and fall in body temperature. Eg. Walnut, Apricot, Apple, Banana, Grapefruit, Plum and Almond.
# Orchard Establishment -
Factors to be considered while selecting the site for fruits:
1) Climate and Soil: Climate and soil are the chief natural factors on which the success or failure of the fruit growing is dependent. Climate include several factors like temperature, rain, atmospheric humidity, wind, hails, light, where as the soil factor including physical conditions of the soil and its fertility, nature of sub soil, its drainage conditions, temperature, texture and its composition.
2) Transport facilities: Most of fruit, are perishable in nature and as such their quick transport to the market without much loss of time is important and for this reasons the site selected should be nearer to a marketing center and should be connected by a good road and railway. This will reduce the transport cost.
3) Irrigation facilities: Adequate irrigation facilities should be available at hand and round the year. The supply of water should be plentiful and it should be available at the reasonable cost, otherwise the cost of production will be increased. The water should be free from objectionable imparities (salts).
4) Cheap manpower: While selecting the site availability of cheap labour in the vicinity is taken into consideration so as to keep down the production cost.
5) Owners house: For effective supervision of the orchard, it is essential that the owners should have his home in his own orchard. Therefore, availability of medical, educational and social amenities in the vicinity should also be considered while selecting the site.
6) The site should not be close to any diseased plantation.
7) The selected site should be free from cyclones, frost, hails, storm, strong and hot winds.
8) Market: The varieties of crop selected should Command a good demand in the market. The market facilities must be available in selected site for ideal fruit orchard.
9) The site selected should be free from cyclones, frost, and hails, storms, strong and hot wind.
10) The varieties of crops selected should be command a good demand in market and they must do well the climate prevailing on the site.
# Pollinizers And Pollinators
Pollinizers :- Pollinizer is defined as the source of pollen or to be the sire or media of the next plant that provides abundant, compatible and viable pollen at the same flowering time as the pollinated plant.
Eg. Most crab apple varieties are good pollinizers for any apple trees that bloom at the same time and are often used in apple orchards for pollination purpose. Some apple cultivars produce very little sterile or incompatible pollens with other apple varieties, these are poor pollinizers. Pollinizers can also be the male plant in diocious species where entire plants are of a single sex, such as kiwi fruit, papaya etc. According to the term of pollination cultivar X should be planted as a pollinizer for cultivar Y. A plant can only be pollinizer when it is self fertile and it physically pollinates itself without the help of an external pollinator.
Pollinators :- Upon maturity anther sac ruptures and pollen grains are released. The released pollen grains reach to the stigma of flowers by various agencies or means are called pollinators. They may be:
a) Insects: Bees butterflies, moths, housefly, wasp etc. are principal agent of transference of pollen grains. It is known as Entomophily mode of pollination. Insect pollinated plants possess coloured, showy, scented and nectar bearing flowers which attract the insect and in this they transfer the pollen grains. Eg. mango. Guava, ber, litchi, citrus, custard apple, apple pear, peach, plum, almond, walnut, cucurbits, crucifers.
b) Birds: Parrot, bats, etc. It is known as Ornithophily mode of pollination. Eg. Banana, pineapple c) Mammal/Animals: Elephant, monkey, squirrels etc. It is known as Zoophily mode of pollination.
d) Wind: It is known as Anemophily mode of pollination. Wind pollinated crops does not possess showy, scented and nectar bearing flowers, but plant produce pollen grain in abundance. Pollen grains are dry and light in weight and are amenable to long distance wind transportation. eg. Date palm, coconut, cashunut, papaya, jackfruit, sapota, pomegranate etc.
e) Water: Lily and gaint lily plants experience hydrophily mode of pollination.
