Experts Issue Guidelines For New Mango Orchards

MULTAN,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Augst,2016) : Agriculture experts issued a set of guidelines for farmers interested in laying foundation of new mango orchards and nurturing them to produce the exotic fruit. In a release issued by media liaison unit of Punjab agriculture department on Tuesday, experts said that before moving forward farmers must know the exact measurement of land available for mango growing venture. Land be prepared and planting board be utilized to mark the points for new plants.

One cubic feet ditches be dug out at each point. One third of the dug out soil from the upper portion be kept separately and two equal parts of fertile soil (Bhal) and animal waste fertilizers be mixed in it.

This mixture should fill the ditch. Identification of points for plants should be suitable to facilitate workers to perform all growth aiding activities during pre-harvest and post-harvest stages and ensure easy access of plants to air,sunlight and support photosynthesis i.

e food formation process in plants.

Proper plants placement would also facilitate farmers in providing water, fertilizers and pesticides to plants and plucking fruit. Land having PH value ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 was most suitable for mango orchards, however, the fruit can also be grown on land having PH value of 8.5 with no salinity. Soil with ground water level of five metre or above is considered best for mango. Plants with a height of 1 to 1.3 metres and not above the age of three years should be planted.

Plants should be umbrella like and have three to four branches, stated the release. Grafting point should be 20-30 cm above the ground. Farmers should ensure that plants are disease-free particularly free from attack of Thrips, Scales, Mealy Bug, and Midge. There should be no injury on plant trunk,it was added.