CITRUS PRODUCTION | ZIMBABWE

CITRUS PRODUCTION |

Soil Requirements

1. Citrus trees require deep soil having good surface and internal drainage.

2. Surface drainage refers to runoff to prevent water standing around the tree.

3. Internal drainage is the ability for water to percolate downward through the soil to avoid saturation of the root zone.

4. The presence of vigorous, healthy landscape trees is a good indication that the soil is sufficiently deep and well-drained for citrus trees

Site Selection

Site Selection influences the long-term production of the trees and the ease of field operations such as pruning, irrigation, fertilization, and weed and pest management.

Types of Citrus

1. Sour Oranges (Citrus aurantium L)

2. Limes (Citrus aurantifolia L)

3. Lemon (Citrus Limon L)

4. Sweet Oranges(Citrus sinensis L)

5. Grapefruit(citrus paradis L)

6. Mandrin(Citrus reticulata L)

7. Kumquat(Fortunella margarita L)

Selection and Planting

Planting depth is of importance to the growth of citrus trees.

The rootstock is somewhat resistant to foot rot disease, but the top is quite susceptible.

 If the bud union is too low with respect to surrounding ground, the tree could contract foot rot and die

The practice of scooping out grass and soil to form a large depression for ease of watering almost guarantees the death of a citrus tree.

Young Tree Care

Watering Should be done two to three times the first week and one to two times per week for the next few weeks, depending upon soil type, rainfall and time of year.

Nutrition

Do not apply fertilizer until the tree begins new growth after planting. Fertilize monthly through October.

Weed Control

Good weed control is essential for rapid establishment and vigorous growth of young citrus trees. Eliminate weeds for several meters around the tree. As the spread of the tree increases, widen the grass-free area beyond the drip-line.

Cold Protection

Wraps are used on the trunk of young citrus in the belief that they will provide significant cold protection. With one exception, none provide more than a few degrees of protection to a young tree trunk.

Nutrition

The soil must provide 13 nutrient elements essential to all plant growth. Clay soils usually contain plenty of iron, but citrus trees may exhibit iron deficiency in the early spring. Usually, the deficiency clears up as the soil warms up.

Weed Control

Control weeds and grass beneath citrus trees to reduce competition for fertilizer and water. Also, weeds and grass may harbor pests which can affect the fruit or trees.

Pests and Diseases Control

Citrus pests in South Africa include insects, mites and diseases which may affect the health and vigor of the trees or the appearance of the fruit.

Foot rot is a fungal disease present in many South African soils. Both sour orange and trifoliate orange rootstocks have some resistance to the disease.

Productivity and Maturity

Most budded citrus trees can produce a few fruit in the second year after planting, but usually do not produce until the third year. Thereafter, production increases annually as tree size increases. Seedling trees may not bear for several years.