Stage of growth

Age of the tree (yr)

Type of fertilizer

Rate Kg/tree/yr

Frequency of Application

Vegetative Stage

0 CIRPOrganic fertilizer

0.25 - 10

At planting

1 NPK 15:15:15ORNPK 15:15:16:4

Organic fertilizer

0.5 4 times a year at the start of wet season

2 1.03 2.04 3.0 3 times a year

after weeding5 4.0

2 - 4

Bearing Stage

6 – 7 NPK12:12:17:2+TEORNPK13:13:20:2+TE

Organic fertilizer

6 3 times a year1. ¼ of the

amount 1 – 2 months before flowering

2. The next ¼ at fruit set

3. The remaining ½ after harvest

8 – 10 7Above 11 8

5- 10

Fertilizer application

The rate of fertilizer for durian depends on the soil fertility status, the ages of the tree, the health status as well as the size of the tree. Durian trees which are below 6 years of age are given a higher dosage of nitrogen while bearing trees are given higher potassium to support the growth an development of the fruits.

 Applying Fertilizers

Note: Fertilizer ratios and rates suggested in this section are general recommendations. Do not use these guidelines as absolute figures. 

After pruning, apply complete fertilizer with ratio 15:15:15; 16:16:16; or 20:20:20

Fertilizer amount or rate (usually 2-3 kg/tree) depends on tree vigor.

Incorporate fertilizers along the canopy drip line.

Apply organic fertilizer at the rate of 10-20 kg/tree, according to tree size.

Apply express or foliar fertilizer to immature fruits that are hanging on the trees (See Note).

Check soil for phytophthera and termites.

 Fertilizers placed in pockets around the tree

  Fertilizers placed in a trench   along the drip-line

It also listed down three common tree growth habits as follows:

The following are crown or canopy shapes of some of the popular Malaysian durian clones:

The popular clone D24 or "Sultan" has a semi-circular or dome shaped canopy.

Cone-shaped canopies of clones D145, D123 and D169

Durian clone D159 is cone-shaped while clone D158 is elliptical shaped.

Clone D199 is similar to D24 and has a semi-circular or dome shaped canopy

Table 1: Tree Characteristics of Popular Durian CultivarsFrom Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia

Why Prune Durian? 

Durian trees are pruned to:

develop a strong tree structure and vigorous canopy shape that facilitate horticultural practices and enhance fruit production and quality; and

ensure trees are vigorous and healthy and at least risk to diseases and insects.

In a durian orchard, during the first few years after planting in the field, the young durian trees are pruned or trained by removing vertical laterals or branches. Pruning dominant upright branches to maintain one central leader and a well-balanced canopy is essential to establish a strong tree structure for maximum fruit production.

Pruning or thinning out undesirable branches or laterals and establishing  a well-balanced branch spread around the trunk ensure free circulation of air and sunlight penetration necessary for fruit buds to develop and fruit to mature properly. The common durian flowers are ramiflorous, i.e. the flowers are borne along big branches that are capable of bearing the weight of mature fruits. Durian trees bear fruit best on branches that are more or less horizontal; upright branches contribute more to tree size and height.

The common durian are ramiflorous, i.e. the flowers and fruits are borne along big branches 

Topping or heading is pruning the main trunk to control tree height and branch spread so as to facilitate many horticultural tasks such as spraying, hand pollination of flowers, fruit thinning and harvesting.

Diseased or insect damaged branches must be pruned as soon as possible to prevent its spread. Dead, broken and weak branches as well as water-shoots are regularly pruned especially after the fruiting season. 

b. Pruning

Trim all branches.

Prune all branches affected by pests and diseases.

Remove all dead and dry branches.

Apply copper oxide fungicide as protective/preventive measure at pruned surfaces.

Planting system

Various planting system are being used in durian cultivation such as:Rectangular system

Planting system 12m X 12m (77 trees/ha) Density recommended 67 trees/ha

Triangular system Provide an extra 15% higher density than rectangular Panting system 10.5m X 10.5m(100 trees/ha) Density recommended 88 trees/ha

Normal practice is to plant multiple cones in an area in order to enhance cross-pollination and increase fruit set. Example clone are D24, D98 and D114

For contour planting a distance of 10m is highly recommended as below description:

1. Square system: same distance between plants and rows

formula: number of plant/hectare for 10 m X 10 m

= 10000/(10X10)

= 100

2. Triangular system: same planting distance between every plant within the triangle

Formula : number of plants/hectare for 10 m X 10 m

= 10000 X 1.155/(10X10)

= 115

3. Rectangular system: closer distance between plants than between rows

Formula: number of plant/hectare for 10m X 18 m

= 10000/(10X18)= 55

4. Quincunx system: same as square while inserting filter plants in-between rows

Field planting

1. Planting holes 0.6 m X 0.6 m are dug at the planting points after the process of lining has been completed.

2. The holes are left exposed for 2 – 3 weeks.3. Each planting hole is then incorporated with 200 g CIRP and 5 – 10 kg organic fertilizer such as

compost or animal dung and mixed with the top soil.4. Budded seedlings is best carried out during the early period of wet season5. It is important to expose the seedlings to the hardening process about 2 weeks before

transplanting date in order to reduce transplanting shock.6. Transplanting process must be carried out with extra care as not to disturb root system.