How to do Orange Farming and Earn more Profits, Know on khetivyapar

Oranges are a delectable, tangy, and juicy fruit primarily grown in Maharashtra. They are packed with vitamin C and also contain vitamins A and B. Often consumed as refreshing juice during the summer months, oranges are known to alleviate fatigue and stress. Cultivation of oranges is prominent in Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. By opting for superior varieties, farmers can achieve high yields, meeting the considerable demand for oranges in the market and yielding substantial profits.

Orange Cultivation Conducted:

The period from July to September is ideal for planting orange trees, although cultivation can also occur in February and March.

Temperature, Climate, and Soil Requirements for Orange Cultivation: Temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius are optimal for growing oranges. Orange cultivation thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, requiring approximately 100 to 150 millimeters of water. Oranges can be cultivated in various soil types, with sandy soil being suitable while waterlogged soil is not recommended. The ideal pH level for orange cultivation falls between 6.5 and 8.

Major Varieties of Oranges:

1. Kurg: This variety yields straight, glossy oranges with compact leaves, making peeling easy. It contains abundant juice in 9 to 12 segments and 15-20 seeds. Fruits of this variety ripen from February to March.
2. Nagpur: This variety, also known as Kampek, produces medium-sized fruits with compact leaves, containing 7 to 9 seeds and sufficient juice.
3. Kinnow: Known for its thick and dense foliage, this variety yields large oranges. These fruits ripen in January, with juicy fruits containing 12-24 seeds.
4. Seville Orange: Recognized for its sour taste, these oranges are highly acidic. They are used for cooking, making preserves, salad dressings, and sauces. Seville oranges are primarily cultivated in Spain.

Soil Preparation:

For orange cultivation, plow the land deeply with a tractor or plow once or twice to ensure that the soil becomes soft and crumbly. Use a rotavator to level the ground and prepare pits at a distance of 15 to 20 feet in rows. These pits should be about a meter wide and deep. Mix cow dung manure with the soil in these pits and irrigate deeply.

How to Oranges cultivation: Orange saplings are prepared in the nursery by planting seeds. For this, orange seeds are first dried, then filled into polythene bags and planted in the nursery. Weak seedlings should be separated from healthy ones. Once the plant reaches a height of 2-3 feet, it should be transplanted. To plant orange trees, pits should be dug with dimensions of 75 x 75 x 75 cm, and the plants should be spaced at a distance of 6 x 6 meters. The distance between plants should be 6 meters, and between rows, it should also be 6 meters. Before sowing the orange crop, Paraquat can be used for weed control at a rate of 600 milliliters per acre.

Nursery Preparation: Prepare the field thoroughly and plant the seedlings in rows. Remove infested leaves from the nursery by pruning them before sowing.

Manure and Fertilizer for Orange Cultivation: Use NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) fertilizers. Nitrogen fertilizer should be given in three equal parts in January, July, and November. In the first year of cultivation, apply SSP (Single Super Phosphate) at 315 grams per tree, MOP (Muriate of Potash) at 45 grams per tree, and Urea at 325 grams per tree.

Irrigation for Orange Trees: Orange cultivation requires irrigation ranging from 900 to 1200 millimeters. Irrigation should be done at intervals of 5 to 7 days in hot weather and 10 to 15 days in cold weather. Water should not be allowed to touch the stem of the tree. Irrigation for orange trees should be done using the double ring method. A fully developed orange plant requires irrigation 5 to 6 times a year.

Disease Management and Control:

1. Fruit Puncture Disease - Adult insects create punctures in the fruit after ripening, causing them to shrivel and fall off. Prevention involves keeping diseased fruits away from healthy ones and using light traps.
2. White Fly Disease - This disease thrives in cold weather and manifests as light green, brown, or white spots on the leaves. The affected plant's leaves begin to curl. Prevention involves avoiding irrigation during humid conditions.
3. Black Spot Disease - This disease occurs during foggy and extremely cold weather, resulting in light brown spots that turn glossy dark brown. Large round spots appear on the leaves. Prevention involves spraying neem oil-lime sulfur mixture at a rate of 200 grams per acre.
4. Citrus Canker Disease - This disease primarily affects regions with heavy rainfall and high temperatures during the spring season. Prevention involves removing canker-infected branches from the plants in June. These measures help in maintaining the health and productivity of orange orchards, ensuring a successful harvest.

Harvesting Oranges: The harvesting of oranges typically begins between January and February. It's advisable to start harvesting when the oranges are fully ripe and have turned completely yellow, as delaying the harvest can lead to fruit spoilage.