LAND PREPARATION & CULTURAL PRACTICES OF ORANGE (Citrus sinensis)

Orange is a fruit crop which belongs to the citrus family. The fruit of orange called berry is succulent, fleshy and juicy and it is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Land Preparation: The land is cleared with cutlass and stumping is done. The land is then ploughed and harrowed mechanically.

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Climatic and soil requirements: Sweet orange requires a temperature of 25C -35C rainfall of 75cm -125cm per annum and a well-drained fertile and deep soil. It also requires a higher elevation and slightly sloping land.

Planting materials: (i) Seeds (ii) Budded seedlings (iii) Grafted seedlings.

Method of propagation: Sexually (by seeds) and vegetative propagation, e.g, budding.

Planting date: (i) Pre-nursery is ideal between October and December and nursery in April and May. (iii) Budding is done a year later.

Spacing: (i) Pre-nursery is 3cm x 3cm,
(ii) Nursery is 60cmx6OCm
(iii) Field is 7.0m X 7.0m.

Nursery Practices
Pre- nursery:(i) The seeds are raised in seed trays by October- December in a loamy soil, rich in organic matter. (ii) The feeds are sown 3cm ×3cm at 2cm deep

Nursery: (i) The seedlings are now replanted at 60cm at 60cm spacing. (ii) It is planted around April and May. (iii) Watering, weeding and shading are provided. (iv) Budding and grafting are done a year later.

Transplanting: After one ear of budding, the seedlings are transplanted to the field at a spacing of 7.0m x 7.0m.

CULTURAL PRACTICES

(1) Weeding: This is done regularly by cutlassing or by herbicides.

(11) Fertilizer application:
Sulphate o ammonium at the rate of 350kg/ha is applied by ring method at regular intervals.

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(111) Mulching is also done during dry . season.

(IV) Irrigation, especially during dry season, is also practised.

(V) Pruning can also be done.

(VI) Insects and diseases should be . controlled and prevented.

Maturity Period: This occurs between three an seven years.

Harvesting: Clean or spot-picking of matured or ripe fruits with hand or harvesting knife is done carefully and over a period of time.

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Processing and storage: Orange can be processed into orange juice which can be stored in canned or bottled form.

PEST OF ORANGE
(1) Thrips (2) Red Mites (3) Scale insects (4) Aphids (5) Fruit borers (6) Caterpillars. All these pests attack citrus leaves, flowers and fruits.

Control: Spray with insecticides like Gammalin 20 and Malathion.

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(7) Leafhoppers: These attack citrus leaves, leading to defoliation and reduced yield.

Control:
(I) By handpicking
(II) Use poison baits

DISEASES OF ORANGE

(1) Gummosis: It is caused by a fungus Phytophthora spp which 18 spread by air and through the soil. Symptoms of the disease include rottening of the bark near the ground, drying and cracking of bark, release (exude) of gum or slimy substance and leaves turn yellow and begin to die back.

Control:

(i) Use resistantvarieties.
(ii) Spray with appropriate fungicides:
(iii) Paint the trunk with crude cabolic and water.

(2) Tristeza: It is a viral disease transmitted by aphid. Symptoms include phloem necrosis and swelling at bud union.

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Control: Use resistant varieties.

(3) Citrus Scab: It is a fungal disease (Sphaceloma faucett) which spreads within the soil. It attacks young leaves and stem, especially in nursery stage.

Control: Treat with fungicide, e. g, Bordeaux mixture.