Orchard management
Planting systems, training, pruning, intercropping, and protection from frost and sunburn.
Managing fruit trees
Once planted, an orchard needs regular care for many years.
Planting systems
Besides layouts, orchards may follow high-density planting (HDP), where more trees are planted per hectare using dwarfing rootstocks, close spacing and regular pruning; this gives early and higher yields per unit area (e.g. mango, guava, apple). Filler trees can be planted temporarily between main trees.
Training and pruning
- Training is shaping the young plant by directing its growth to develop a strong framework of branches. It is done in the early years. Common forms: open centre (no central leader; light reaches the centre), central leader (main stem dominant; tall tree) and modified leader (a compromise). Grapes are trained on bower (pandal), kniffin or head systems.
- Pruning is the removal of unwanted plant parts (dead, diseased, crossing or overcrowded branches, water shoots) to regulate growth and fruiting. It is done throughout the life of the tree. Pruning improves light penetration, fruit size and quality. In grapes and ber, pruning is essential every year because fruit is borne on new growth.
Intercropping
In young orchards, short-duration crops such as vegetables, pulses or legumes can be grown between tree rows for extra income and better soil. Intercrops should not compete heavily with trees; tall or exhaustive crops (e.g. sugarcane, maize) are avoided.
Protection from frost and sunburn
- Frost damages young plants and tender growth on cold nights. Protection: light irrigation (wet soil holds heat), smoking or smudging, covering young plants with thatch, and windbreaks.
- Sunburn (sunscald) damages bark and fruits exposed to intense sun. Protection: white-washing the trunk with lime, keeping enough foliage cover, and shading young plants.
Other practices include mulching, manuring, irrigation (ring and basin), weed control and plant protection.
Key points
- Training builds the framework; pruning regulates growth and fruiting.
- Open centre training lets light into the canopy.
- High-density planting uses close spacing and dwarfing rootstocks.
- Light irrigation reduces frost damage.
- Lime white-wash protects trunks from sunburn.
Common mistakes
- Using "training" and "pruning" as synonyms.
- Choosing tall exhaustive intercrops in young orchards.