INTRODUCTORY

HORTICULTURE
(HORT – 401)
INSTRUCTOR
DR. MUHAMMAD WASIM HAIDER
(LECTURER, HORTICULTURE)
ESTABLISHMENT OF
GARDENS
PLANNING STEPS

I. Selection of proper locality and site

II. Preparation of land
III. Laying out garden
IV. Digging and refilling of pits
V. Selection and purchase of plants
VI. Setting of fruit plants
VII.Windbreaks
1: SELECTION OF PROPER LOCALITY AND SITE

• Locality refers to the geographical circumstances of a

place in relation to cities, villages, railway stations,
roads, etc.
• Site refers to a specific place where one can establish
orchard: a citrus or mango orchard or vineyard.
(A) TOPOGRAPHY
• It refers to the contour of the land, its elevation and similar

features of land.

• Vegetable crops and herbaceous flowering plants are usually

grown on level and slightly sloping sites as most of these crops

need cultivation and harvesting operations can efficiently be done

than on sloping land.

• Fruit trees can be raised on steep slopes to some extent. In case of contours, which cannot level,

contour plantation can be done, as that in case of temperate fruits in hilly areas.
(B) SOIL

• Soil is the natural resource base for horticultural production, as well as other form of
agriculture. It is an inner weathered layer of earth crust, which provides nutrients, water
and support to the plant.

• Soil conditions like texture, fertility, depth, alkalinity, salinity, soil reaction, chemical
content, drainage and water logging can influence the growth and development of
horticultural crops.

• Horticultural crops can be grown in variety of soils. Extremes are to be avoided, very
heavy soils are difficult to handle and sandy soils do not hold moisture well and are
infertile.
Type of soil Horticultural Crops
• Sandy soil Water melon, Musk melon, Sweet potato
• Silt loam Apple, Pear
• Clay loam Plum, Peach, Apricot, Onion, Cabbage
• Sandy loam Mango, Citrus, date palm, cucurbits.
• Silt Banana
(C) CLIMATE

• It refers to meteorological conditions (changes in atmosphere) in a

given region. It is composed of factors like temperature, humidity,
wind, sunlight, frost, hail storms, precipitation etc.

• Temperature is the most important factor which effect the

distribution of horticultural crops. It determines the success or
failure of each specific crop in a region.
Climate Horticultural crop

Tropical region Mango, Banana, Papaya, Avocado, Coconut

Sub- tropical Date palm, Citrus, Guava, Jaman, Mulberry

Temperate Apple, Pear, Peach, Apricot, Almond, Walnut

(D) WATER SUPPLY

• A regular and adequate source of irrigation

water
• Canal water is best for irrigating an orchard.
Tube well and well water can also be used if
ground water is sweet.
• Quality of water should also be considered as
excess of sodium and boron salts are harmful
to most horticultural plants.
(E) AVAILABILITY OF MARKET

• Horticultural products are usually

perishable
• Therefore, these should be planted near to
cities or at least big towns.
• Consider transportation facility for distant
market
• Products to be exported need a standard
packing house facility
(E) TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENT

• Refrigerated trucks
• Improved rail transportation
• Air cargo
(F) AVAILABILITY OF LABOR

• The growing of horticultural crops is a full time occupation.

• Preparation of land, cleaning, leveling, ploughing, installing systems for irrigation and drainage,
planting and post-planting care, pruning, hoeing, weeding, application of fertilizers and manure,
control of insect pest and diseases, picking, packing, transportation and marketing require regular
and efficient labor.
• Mechanization
• Manual
• Ensure cheap and regular labor availability
(G) CAPITAL REQUIREMENT

Horticultural crops require much more investment

than other agricultural crops for establishment,
maintenance and continuous profitable returns.
Capital requirement must be estimated before
deciding to establish a garden.
 II: PREPARATION OF LAND

The preparation of the soil depends largely upon its

• Present condition,
• Previous history and
• The grower’s plan

If the land has been under cultivation and well

maintained, nothing further may be required. But if the
site is new and previously uncultivated, it should be
thoroughly surveyed for its size, topography, and flow
of irrigation water and fertility status.
II: PREPARATION OF LAND CONT…

1: Cleaning
Existing vegetation should be cleared, already existed trees should be cut
down and their stumps should be removed to avoid competition.
2: Ploughing
After the site is cleared, it must be given a deep and thorough ploughing
twice or thrice in two directions. Then planking should be done.
II: PREPARATION OF LAND CONT…

3: Leveling
The site should be leveled. A uniform gentle slope may be provided in one
direction to facilitate the flow of irrigation water.
4: Irrigation System
The irrigation system should be planned and installed before establishing
the plantation. Different system of irrigation are surface irrigation, sub
surface irrigation, drip irrigation can be used. Sprinkler irrigation system
is used if soil is not leveled.
 II: PREPARATION OF LAND CONT…

5: Soil Enrichment
The soil can be enriched by raising cover crops, preferably legumes. A green
manure crop (jantar, berseem, guara), in addition to FYM, is the most
economical means of increasing the organic matter content of soil.
6: Fencing
It is done all round the site to prevent the entry of animal pests like cattle, goats
or wild pigs as well as human thieves. Barbed wire is recommended, as it has no
shading effect and do not compete with plants for nutrients. Rough lemon, roses
can be used as fence but it can be a hidden place of many insect/pest. Therefore,
it should be avoided.
LASER LEVELLING
III. LAYING OUT GARDEN

a. Square system a b c
b. Quincunx system
c. Hexagonal system
d. Rectangular system d e
f
e. Triangular system
f. Contour system
LAYOUT
MARKING OF PLANT SPOTS
IV: DIGGING AND REFILLING OF PITS

• Digging and refilling of pits

• Additional nutrition and organic matter can be provided to the plants at a very early stage
by digging pits.
• This should be done after laying out the garden and marking the actual spots for trees.

• While digging pits, the

upper 30-40 cm of soil
should be put aside and
kept, and the remaining
subsoil scattered in the
field or taken away.
DIGGING AND REFILLING OF PITS

• The pits are left open for 2-3 weeks for exposure to the sun and circulation of air.
• It is harmful to keep pits open for longer periods because their inner surface gets hardened
by prolonged exposure to weather.
• The main objective of digging pits is to provide a suitable environment for the development
of the plant and its roots.
• This is a place to which one cannot have access later, for the whole life of the plant.
• If there is a hardpan or gravel present in the soil, these problems can be dealt with when the
pit is open.
DIGGING AND REFILLING OF PITS

• The size of the pit depends upon the type of soil and the species and variety of fruit.
• It should be larger in hard soils and smaller in sandy loam soils.
• Generally, for various fruit trees and in most of the orchard soils in this country, a pit of
1 m × 1 m × 1 m in length, width, and depth is most desirable.
• This is the volume in which most of the root development occurs during the early days
of plant growth.
• After an appropriate period these pits are refilled with a mixture of equal quantities of
the saved surface soil, well-rotted FYM, and silt.
DIGGING AND REFILLING OF PITS

• The pits should be filled preferably about a fortnight before planting.

• Unfortunately, adding undecomposed FYM is a widespread practice in Pakistan.
• This is the volume in which most of the root development occurs during the early days
of plant growth.
• After an appropriate period these pits are refilled with a mixture of equal quantities of
the saved surface soil, well-rotted FYM, and silt.
• The pits should be filled a little higher (about 10-15 cm) than the surrounding soil. This
will allow for soil settling after the first irrigation.
DIGGING AND REFILLING OF PITS

• The field is then irrigated heavily.

• After the field dries, the pits are levelled once again.
• Plants are set in the centers of the pits and in straight rows on all sides.
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

A. Selection of scion varieties

• Type of orchard
• Market demand
• Climatic suitability of the area
• Resistance to insects/pests and diseases
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

• Commercial gardens
• What is commercial gardening?
The production of fruits and other horticultural crops on a large scale in localities far
from the market is considered commercial gardening.
In this type of farming, horticultural crops are grown in the places far from the market,
where suitable soil, climate, and adequate water supply are available, cost of production
is low and reasonable facilities for shipment to big cities exist.
• In vegetable growing this type of gardening is known as truck-farming.
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

• Local market gardens

These produce horticultural crops to meet the requirements of local markets only.
• Such gardens contain a wide range of crops and varieties which provide produce over a
long season.
• In this case, many varieties with a wide fluctuation in their maturity and ripening times are
produced on small areas.
• A fruit whose popularity is increasing, or one which is being supplied from a distance,
offers a good opportunity to growers of local market gardens.
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

• Home gardens
Some farmers produce fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals in home gardens for their own needs

• When such gardens are very small, they are called kitchen gardens.
• They include varieties of the owner’s own taste and choice to meet his day-to-day
requirements.
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

• Production for processing

• There is an increasing demand for fruits and vegetables for the processing industry.
• Various fruits are being used for preparing juices, squashes, jams, marmalades, and jellies,
and for canning or pickling.
• Vegetables are also being dried, canned, pickled, and frozen.
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

B. Type of rootstock
When selecting fruit plants for a particular area, careful consideration should be given to the
rootstocks on which a particular scion variety or varieties are to be grafted or budded.
• Rootstocks affect the vigour, productivity, longevity, quality, and resistance to insect/pests and
diseases of a scion variety.
• A rootstock should be adaptable to various soil and climatic conditions, resistant to insect pests
and diseases, and buddable.
• For rootstock production a high percentage of polyembryony is desirable to produce large
numbers of uniform seedlings.
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

C. True to name plants

When purchasing fruit plants from the nursery, one should first try to visit government
nurseries; or, if none are available in the vicinity, one should try to locate nurseries which
have a good reputation for past performance.
• Fruit plants are very problematic, in the sense that they bear fruit after 4-5 years, and the
real nature of a fruit tree is usually revealed when it is too late.

• Sometimes it may not be possible even for an expert to identify the scion variety and the
rootstock on which a fruit tree is budded/grafted at the nursery stage.
• If you want to have a big garden and you can afford the time, it is always advisable to
raise your own nursery.
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

D. Age, size, and grade

• One-year-old, well-grown plants with many leaves, a clean and bright trunk, and abundant
roots should be selected.
• Evergreen plants are transplanted with earth balls, while deciduous plants are transplanted
with bare roots and no leaves.
• One should always check that bud union is at least 15-20 cm above the ground.
• Higher bud union is now being advocated as, a controlling measure against foot rot
disease, which can be caused by soil or water touching the scion portion of the trunk.
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

Care of plants at arrival

• The first thing which should be done on the arrival of nursery plants is to check them for
variety, number of plants, and grade.
• The plants are then stored in the shade for about 48 hours
• Roots broken during lifting of the plants from the nursery soil must be cut off with a clean cut.
• In order to minimize the unnecessary loss of moisture by transpiration, especially in arid
zones, young trees are often stripped of leaves.
• If more leaves in good condition remain on the plant, growth will start earlier.
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

Time of planting
• There are generally two principal planting seasons in Pakistan: spring (Feb-March), and
autumn (Sept-Oct).
• Plants of evergreen fruits can be set in both these seasons, but deciduous fruits only in the
spring season.
• Evergreen plants should be planted before the severe dry and cold season starts and deciduous
plants, when the danger of frost and severe cold is over.
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

Actual planting
• Plants of evergreen fruits should be planted as soon as possible after they are dug from the nursery.
• If deciduous plants are transplanted while they are dormant, delay does little harm.
• The plants should be set approximately in the centre of the pit keeping the rows straight on all sides.
• A hole sufficiently large to accommodate the earth ball and/or root system of the plant.
• When the earth ball is present, care should be taken not to break it while planting.
• More care is necessary for plants with bare roots to ensure that the roots are well-spaced.
• When placing soil around the earth ball, the topsoil should be put in first, using the subsoil as a top layer.
SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

Post-planting care
• After plants are set, they should be irrigated sufficiently to wet all the soil around.
• Sometimes it is advisable to stake the plants immediately after planting to hold the stem erect.
• Some young plants are subjected to considerable injury from sunburn or frost and severe cold,
so shading of plant is recommended where needed.
• Plant stems can also be protected by wrapping them with paper or other materials, or by
painting them with whitewash.
IV: SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF PLANTS

• Selection of scion varieties

• Type of rootstock
• True to name plants
• Age, size, and grade
V: SETTING OF FRUIT PLANTS

1. Time of Planting
Two principal planting seasons
• Spring (Feb-March)
• Autumn (Sept-Oct)
• Evergreen fruit plants___ both seasons/ earth ball
• Deciduous plants ______ only in spring/ bare rooted
V: SETTING OF FRUIT PLANTS CONT…

2. Actual Planting
• Evergreen plants ----- plant immediately
• Deciduous plants ----- as are dormant, delay does
little harm
• Set plants in the center of the pit
• Use of pegs and a planting board
POST-PLANTING CARE

• After planting
• Irrigate sufficiently
• Staking
• Heading back of deciduous plants
• Protection from sunburn and frost
VI: WINDBREAKS CONT…

Plants which have been used for protection of

orchard from the wind are called windbreaks.
The major function of windbreaks is to reduce
the velocity of the wind
VI: WINDBREAKS CONT…
Advantages of Windbreaks
• Reduce the damage by strong winds
• Protect from sunburn and frost
• Minimize the wind erosion
• Reduce the water loss by transpiration
Disadvantages of Windbreaks
• Alternate host for insect/pest and diseases
• Compete with adjoining fruit trees for nutrition and light
• Delayed maturity of fruit of adjoining plants to windbreaks
• Less color and size development in fruits
VI: WINDBREAKS CONT…
Characteristics of windbreaks
• Adaptable to the soil and climate
• Strong mechanical frame
• Rapid growth
• Tall with dense foliage
• Deep rooted
• Tap rooted, not fibrous root system
• Prefer those plants which can give income (Jaman, Mulberry,
Ber)
Examples:
Jaman, Mulbery, Eucalyptus, Kikar, Simbal, Poplar, Shisham,
Desi mango, Ber, Bamboo, Pine
Directly- and indirectly-sown vegetable crops

• Directly sown vegetables • Transplanted vegetables

• Potato • Okra
• Tomato
• Pea • Sweet potato • Brinjal
• Carrot
• Turmeric • Chillies
• Radish
• Ginger • Sweet pepper
• Turnip
• Sugar beet • Cauliflower
• Spinach • Cabbage
• Fenugreek • Onion
• Coriander
• Lettuce
• Cucurbits (melons and squashes)
 THANKS

QUESTIONS?