Production Technology of Fruit Crops inWasteland

Dr. S.P. SinghAssistant Professor (Horticulture)S.K.N. College of Agriculture,(S.K. Rajasthan Agricultural University),Campus Jobner (Jaipur)

Dr. M.R. ChoudharyAssociate Professor (Horticulture)S.K.N. College of Agriculture,(S.K. Rajasthan Agricultural University),Campus Jobner (Jaipur)

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© Singh & Choudhary, 2012

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ISBN: 978-81-7233-737-7

eISBN: 978-93-8786-908-0

Lasertype : Rajesh Ojha

Printed in India

PREFACE

Wastelands can be brought under vegetative cover with

reasonable efforts which currently underutilized and deteriorating due

to inappropriate water and soil management and also on account of

natural causes. India shares 16 per cent of the world population, while

having only 2 per cent of the total geographical area and only 1 per

cent water resources of the world. India has about 22.8 per cent of

forest area, whereas, about 33 per cent vegetative cover is essential to

maintain ecological balance. Growing of fruit crops and certain

multipurpose plant may prove suitable alternative of forest trees to

minimize the existing gap. The fruit crops along with certain

multipurpose plant species play an important role in human nutrition,

national economy as well as vegetative cover for ecological balance. In

fact water harvesting, moisture conservation, micro-catchments

around the trees, crescent bunding, planting on terraces, trench

planting, planting of wind breaks around the fruit orchards, use of

drip irrigation systems and plant protection measures can help in

improving the Wastelands for growing fruit crops.

Fruits are nature’s gift to mankind. They are not only delicious

and refreshing but also chief source of vitamins and minerals. Fruits

become an integral part of food and nutritional security and also help

in economic security. There is a growing awareness among the people

about the advantages of the fruits, as a result of improvement in their

socio-economic status. The importance of fruits in the country’s

nutritional security, poverty alleviation and employment generation is

gaining momentum.

The regular pruning of fruit crops like phalsa, fig and ber provides

twigs which may be used as firewood. An adequate amount of fodder

can also be obtained from the khejri, ber, pilu and wood apple. Some

fruit crops are helpful for rearing of lac insects like Indian almond and

ber. Mulberry leaves are used for rearing of silkworms. When yield

potential of fruit trees starts declining and reaching to uneconomic

level then they are uprooted and the wood is used as fire or furniture.

This book includes comprehensive, latest and balanced infor-

mation about Wastelands, selection of fruit crops for Wastelands and

vi Production Technology of Fruit Crops in Wasteland

development through fruit cultivation in its first and second chapters.

The third to twenty eighth chapters cover the scientific horticultural

practices of growing fruit crops in the Wastelands. These chapters give

a detailed information about different aspects including origin,

distribution, importance, soil and climatic conditions, propagation

techniques, varieties, cultivation practices, crop protection measures,

harvesting and post harvest management of different fruit crops for

tropical, subtropical, arid and semi-arid areas. Appendices provide

concise information about classification, edible part, propagation

methods and nutritive values of different fruits. This book intends to

serve the needs of students, extension workers, researchers and

planners, as well.

We take the opportunity to express our deepest sense of gratitude

to Prof. A.K. Dahama, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, SK Rajasthan

Agricultural University, Bikaner, Prof. G.L. Keshwa, Dean, SKN

College of Agriculture, Jobner, Prof. Atul Chandra, University Head,

Department of Horticulture, SK Rajasthan Agricultural University,

Bikaner and Dr. I.J. Gulati, OSD, SK Rajasthan Agricultural

University, Bikaner for the constructive suggestions, generous

assistance and rendering help, as and when needed.

We also express sincere thanks to Shri P. Singh, Ex-head,

Department of Horticulture, SKN College of Agriculture, Jobner, Dr.

R. Paliwal, Head, Department of Horticulture, SKN College of

Agriculture, Jobner, Dr. Athar Uddin, Head, Department of Animal

Production, SKN College of Agriculture, Jobner, Dr. B.L. Yadav, Head,

Department of Soil Science, SKN College of Agriculture, Jobner, Dr.

N.K. Sharma, Head, Department of Extension education, SKN College

of Agriculture, Jobner, Dr. K.C. Kumawat, Department of Entomo-

logy, SKN College of Agriculture, Jobner, and scientific staff of college

and university for giving valuable suggestions, extending help and

cooperation for preparing this book.

Jobner Authors

CONTENTS

Preface

1. Waste lands and their management: An Introduction 1

2. Selection of fruit crops for waste lands 14

3. Aonla 20

4. Bael 38

5. Ber 47

6. Carambola 65

7 Citrus 70

8. Custard apple 95

9. Date palm 106

10. Drumstick 119

11. Fig 129

12 Grape 139

13. Guava 159

14. Indian almond 180

15. Jackfruit 185

16. Jamun 198

17. Kair 209

18. Karonda 215

19. Khejari 222

20. Kumuat 229

21. Lahsua 234

22. Mahua 242

23. Manila tamarind 247

24. Mulberry 253

viii Production Technology of Fruit Crops in Wasteland

25 Papaya 264

26. Phalsa 282

27. Pilu 292

28. Pomegranate 298

29. Rayan 313

30. Tamarind 317

31. Wood apple 328

Appendices 333