Planting Systems and Plant Spacing

Transcription

1 Planting Systems and Plant Spacing Planting system and plant spacing affected by 1- Growth habit of cultivars. 2- Vigourisity of the rootstocks. 3- Soil fertility. 4- Training system. 5- Water availability Planting systems 1- Square system The most common one. Layout and orchard operation is very easy. The distance between trees equal to distance between rows 2- Rectangular system Have the same advantages of square system, but the distance between rows larger than between trees. * 5m * * * 6m * * 5m 5m * * * * * * * * * * * * Square system Rectangular system No. of trees = Total area / (distance between trees * distance between rows) Example: No. of trees in one hectare = m 2 / 5*5 = m 2 / 25 = 400 trees 3- Quincunx or Pentagonal The trees are planted in square or rectangular frame, but with a fifth tree at the center of the frame. The tree in the center is temporary P P P P=permanent fruit sp T T T=temporary fruit sp. P P P

2 Example: A farmer has 10 hectares date palm. The orchard dimensions are 100 X 100 m, and the distance between the trees 10 meters in square system. In the same orchard, orange tree in the center of the square. No. of palm trees = Total area / (distance between trees * distance between rows) = 10000/ 10*10 = 100 tree No. of orange trees = (100-10) (100-10)/10*10 = 90*90/10*10 = 81 trees 4- Hexagonal or Triangular Number of trees is more than in square or rectangular system Sin O = 0.5y/X Cos O = 0.5X/X Y = 2X * Sin O Example: if X = 6 Cos O = 3/6 = 1/2 that s mean O = 60 o Sin 60 o = 3/2 Y = 2*X*( 3/2) = 3X =1.73X Example: the distance between fruit trees 5 m (X = 5 m and Y = 1.73 * 5 = 8.66 m) How to estimate the number of trees in certain area Area dimensions, length = L, width = W No. of trees = {L*W} + {(L 1.73X) * (W X)} 1.73X 2 Example: An orchard with dimensions 1000 m X 500 m, the distance between trees 5 m No. of trees = {1000 * 500} + {( ) (500 5)} = = tree In case of square system 1.73 X trees In hexagonal the no. of tree 2880 tree more than in square system

3 5- Hedgerows or Tree-walls system; Space between trees very closed, solid wall Space between rows enough for orchard operation. The direction of the rows is very important. Researchers have sought to ascertain the ideal way to orientate rows to maximize the interception of light. Factors that interact and therefore complicate this issue include latitude, time of year, time of day, tree height and shape and row spacing 6- Contour and Terrace planting system, special for steep slope land. Where water runoff and soil erosion concerns are great, orchards can be established parallel to contours, so that orchard operations can be undertaken as nearly as practical on the contour. Such planting systems were originally designed so that tillage operations could be undertaken across the slope gradient, reducing the velocity and erosive power of overland flow. Terracing is usually considered an extreme form of land shaping. Although practiced for thousands of years in many parts of the world to conserve moisture and reduce erosion, establishment costs are high. The procedure involves the construction of broad benches across the steep slopes (usually ) of rolling land. Such practices are usually considered only when other soil-conservation methods are ineffective. 7- Filler system. It is used in case of temporary and permanent trees are planted in the orchard. X Y

4 Total area = T Length = L Width = W Distance between permanent rows = Y Distance between permanent trees in the same row = X P = permanent trees 1 = first temporary trees 2 = second temporary trees Total no. of trees = T / (0.5X * 0.5Y) No. of permanent trees = T / X * Y No. of second temporary trees = (L-Y) (W-X) / X * Y No. of first temp. trees = Total no. of trees - (No. of second temp. trees+ No. of perm. trees) Example: Orchard length = 500 m Orchard width = 200m X = 8 Y = 10 Total no. of trees = (500*200) / 4*5 = 5000 trees No. of permanent trees = (500*200) / 8*10 = 1250 trees No. of second temporary trees = (490*192) / 8*10 = 1176 trees No. of first temporary trees = 5000 ( ) = 2574 trees

5 Filler Planting System 1=temporary fruit sp. 2= temporary fruit sp. P=permanent fruit sp. 8- Multi-Row Bed Systems Rectangular system Two Row Bed Three Row Bed Multi-Row Bed Systems. Traditional arrangement and possible arrangement of two- and three-row beds No. of Trees = Total area * No. of rows in the bed Distance between trees * Distance between 1st row in a bed and 1st row in adjacent bed

6 Example: An one hectare apple orchard Rectangular system: 10000/2*4 = 1250 tree Two Row Bed: (10000 * 2) / 2*7 = 1429 trees Three Row Bed: (10000 * 3) / 2*10 = 1500 trees Planting Densities Very intense density and input Over 2000 trees per hectare Trellis, hedgerows, double row, spindle bush. Management: Skilled management required. Irrigation and weed control essential from the first year. Summer pruning and training essential. Cultivars: Rootstock and cultivar choice are critical for size control. Support: A support system is essential. Comments: Requires total commitments from the grower, with a complete understanding of tree growth and nutrition. High density and input Over 1500 trees per hectare Central leader pyramid shaped trees. Management: Skilled management required. Irrigation and weed control essential from the first year. Intense training. Cultivars: Rootstock choice is essential to size control. Support: A support system is essential. Comments: Correctly managed, this system can give high yields early in the life of the orchard. Medium/high density and input Approximately 1000 trees per hectare Central leader training is essential. Management: Careful supervision and skilled tree management are required. Cultivars: Consideration should be given to the cultivar/rootstock combination. Support: Depending on the rootstock, a single wire support system may be required. Comments: Possibly a viable stepping stone for growers who do not feel their skills are developed enough to proceed to the high density system.

7 Medium density and input Approximately 500 trees per hectare Average training system. Management: Moderate work time. Cultivars: Less importance is placed on selection. Support: May not be required, depending on rootstock. Comments: Less skills, commitment and investment are required. Low density and input Approximately 250 trees per hectare Least input of any system required. Comments: Not an economic system due to low income returns, especially in the early years of orchard life.

8 Suggested questions How the growth habits of cultivars (or any other factor) affect planting system and plant spacing In... planting system the trees are planted in square or rectangular frame, but with a fifth tree at the center of the frame. planting system is used in case of 2 temporary and one permanent species are planted in the orchard... planting system is special for steep slope land If the tree number in very intense 3-row bed system is 2000 trees per hectare, then the distance between beds =., the distance between rows in the same bed =.... and the distance between trees =. Write down the factors affect thr rows orientation in the orchard A farmer has 50 hectares date palm. The orchard dimensions are 1000 X 500 m, and the distance between the trees 10 meters in square system. How many trees in the orchard? In the same orchard, he wants to plant orange tree in quincunx system. In addition, he is advised to plant grape trees between each two date palm trees. How many orange trees in the orchard? How many grape trees in the orchard? If the same date palm orchard planted in hexagonal system, how many date palm trees in the orchard? Low planting density system needs less input than other systems. (T or F) Summer pruning and training is essential in low density planting system. (T or F) Rootstock choice is essential to size control in high density planting system. (T or F) Which of the followings is right in multi-row bed systems The distance between rows in the same bed and between beds is equal The distance between rows in the same bed smaller than between beds The distance between rows in the same bed larger than between beds The distance between trees in same row is larger than between rows system use for species and cultivars give very early full production High planting density Medium planting density Low planting density Medium/high planting density