Importance of Fruit production

 

Importance of Fruit production in Bangladesh 

The importance of growing fruits has been discussed under in brief:

1. Contribution of fruits in human nutrition: Fruits supply vitamins and minerals. It make balance  diet leading to the development of sound health and happiness of human beings
•  Vitamin A ­ Mango, Papaya, Jackfruit, bel, pineapple.
•  Vitamin B ­ Banana, Cashew nut, Litchi etc.
•  Vitamin B2 ­ Bel, litchi, papaya etc.
•  Vitamin C­ Guava, lemon, orange, lime, pineapple etc.
•  Protein­ Banana, Guava, grape, Jackfruit etc.
•  Phosphorus­ Litchi, Banana, Pomegranate.
•  Iron­ Guava, sapota, unripe mango, date palm etc.
•  Carbohydrates­ Mango, banana, Jackfruit etc.

2. Fruit growing provides better foods as they are good source of vitamin and minerals and have  medicinal properties.

3. Fruits give high energy returns per unit area compared to other crop.

4. Fruit growing is profitable.

5. Fruits are the basic need of many industries like canning, preservation, dehydration etc.

6. Fruit growing helps in the development of package, transport, refrigeration, oil and wine industries.  Apiculture is depend on fruit crops.

7. Fruit production create job for rural poor.

8. Waste land can be utilized by growing hardy fruit crops like ber, bel, custard apple etc.

9. Air sound and dust pollution can easily be minimized by massive planting of fruit species because  trees are known to be the best purifier.

10. Almost all fruits have medicinal value.

11. Fruits are cheap source of energy and good source of acids.

12. Earning and saving foreign currency.

13. Fuel and timber source.

How coconut tree grow well in all coastal regions

 

How coconut tree grow well in all coastal regions

 

Coconut Tree generally grows in slightly saline water. Since such water are naturally abundant near coastal region, it is a natural habitat for Coconut Tree. They originally came from Pacific Islands and their seeds dispersed naturally by sea water by floating on sea waves. Thus they spread to all coasts of the world and grew naturally when they reached a warm sea shore and germinated. The conditions needed for coconut trees are-

a)      Sandy soil

b)      Warm temperatures around 30 degree Celsius

c)       High Humidity

d)      Surplus rain

e)      Surplus water (salty sea water)

f)       Seed dispersal for survival is by sea water

All these are available well in coastal region and for this Coconut trees grow well in coastal regions.

Plum production in Bangladesh

 

Plum production in Bangladesh

Bor (plum) production is increasing in Bangladesh

 

Cultivation of plum, especially baukul and apple kul varieties developed by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), is gaining popularity in Bangladesh. Seeing its profitability in recent years, increasing number of farmers, especially youths, are engaging in plum cultivation. Area under cultivation of bor is 2,519 acres and total Production of bor both inside & outside garden is 86,314 M.T. (Source: BBS 2017). Every plum tree will yield at least 25/30 kg of fruit. Bau Kul is selling at Tk 850 to Tk 1000 per mound. Farmers are cultivating different varieties of plum including baukul and apple kul and the agriculture department provides technical and other support for the farming. The weather conditions of many areas in Bangladesh are suitable for cultivation of the crop. Due to high profit, its cultivation has also huge financial solvency to many cultivators in recent years.

Farmers said, plum cultivation would be more profitable if the government authorities arrange proper training and technical support for its cultivation, safe preservation and marketing.

Pineapple production in Bangladesh

 

Pineapple production in Bangladesh

Pineapple grows well in Madhupur, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Sylhet

 

Pineapple generally grows in the areas where suitable climate and soil is present.

 

The suitable climate for pineapple growing: Areas with a heavy rainfall are best for pineapple growth. Optimum rainfall for pineapple growing is 1500 mm per year although it can grow in areas having 500 mm to 5550 mm of rainfall. Pineapple is suitable for cultivation in humid tropics, so long the temperatures are not extreme. The fruit grows well temperature ranges from 15.5 to 32.50 C. Low temperature, bright sunshine and total shade are harmful. It can grow successfully up to 1525 m above sea level.

 

The suitable soil for pineapple growing: Pineapple grows in almost any type of soil, provided it is free-draining. Slightly acidic soil with pH range of 5.5 to 6.0 is considered optimum for pineapple cultivation. The soil must be well drained and light in texture. Heavy clay soil is not preferred. It can grow in sandy, alluvial or laterite soil.

 

Because of these suitable climate and soil is present in Madhupur, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Sylhet Pineapple grows well in these areas.

Mango production in Bangladesh

 Mango is grown under a tropical and sub-tropical climate. The Mango grows up to an altitude of 4600 feet (1400m) but the fruiting is poor above 2000 feet. Altitude also affects the time of flowering. It is reported that for each 400 ft. increase in altitude, flowering is retarded by four days. Similarly for each degree of latitude south or north of the tropics, flowering is delayed by four days. So, the range of latitude and altitude in Bangladesh especially in Rajshahi and Chapainawabgonj is basically good for mango. The most suitable mean annual temperature ranges between 20 and 30°C. Rajshahi and Chapainawabgonj area’s overall mean temperature in summer ranges between 25°C and 33°C, and in winter between 11°C and 26°C.

The mango can be grown in almost all kinds of soil, but the most desirable soil is one which is of medium texture, that is deep and well drained and has a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5 and a water table below 180 cm around the year. These soil features are also present in Rajshahi and Chapainawabgonj area that’s why mango grows well in these area.

Fruit production in Bangladesh

 Northern regions of Bangladesh is more suitable for fruit production

 

Northern regions of Bangladesh is more suitable for fruit production because of these area having suitable location, weather and soil conditions. Temperature, sunlight, rainfall, humidity and soil conditions of these area is very well for production of many types of fruits. Average annual temperature ranges between 15 ˚C and 30˚C. More sunlight and optimum humidity and rainfall are present for fruit production. Fertility status of soil is moderate in these area. Soils in general have a good moisture holding capacity. Sandy loam to loamy soil, soil pH ranges from 5.5 to 6.5. CEC and other essential nutrients are medium in these area. Because of present of these factor fruits are growing in these area. 

 

Northern regions of Bangladesh like Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Chapainawabganj and Natore are more suitable for fruit production. Mango, litchi, melon, banana, Jujube are grows well in these area. Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj are best in Bangladesh for mango production. Rangpur, Dinajpur and Rajshahi are best for litchi production. Natore is best for melon production and also banana production. Jujube grows well Rajshahi. Beside these strawberry grows well in Rajshahi.

Orange production in Bangladesh

 The climate is the most important parameter for selecting the location of an orange field. The climate determines the success of orange farm and the quality of citrus fruits, while soil and water determine the productivity of orange trees. High temperature and high cold both are harmful for orange growing. High-speed and cold winds can also cause damage to trees, vegetation reduction and loss of fruits and deterioration of their quality. Orange trees do best in areas that receive 40 to 45 inches of rainfall yearly. Orange trees prefer light to medium textured soils, with good drainage and free from stagnant water. 

 

Orange fruits do not grow well in the ground where there was before another citrus field. A suitable location for installing orange field is a downhill position, resulting in a flat surface, where the cold currents can escape freely. In soils with high inclination, it is better to create terraces. Satisfactory production is achieved in soils with pH 5.5 (mildly acidic) to pH 6.5, but the tree can tolerate pH 4.5 to 8. Orange fruit is a crop that is sensitive to salts. They grow quite well in locations that receive lightly filtered shade, such as in shade produced by nearby tall trees.

 

Above all these suitable conditions are present in Sylhet and Chittagong areas. The hilly topography in these region is suitable to cultivate oranges, pineapples and lemons. Farmers are interested in cultivating the cash crop, while the government too has extended initiatives to encourage farmers in these areas.

What is Organic manure, Organic matter, Humus, Fertilizers

 Manures/Organic manure

 

Manure may be defined as the materials of plant and animal origin under varying stages of decomposition, which on application to soil can improve the soil characteristics. It is generally organic in nature.

 

Organic matter

 

Organic matter is any accumulated biological debris, crop and animal residues such as leaves, stem, and animal byproducts. The amount retained and incorporated into the soils depends on temperature, moisture, aeration, microbial activities and soil pH as well as the quantity and chemical makeup of the materials. 

 

There is always more organic matter near the surface and less at lower soil.

Soil organic matter refers to the non-living materials in soil coming from plants, animals, microorganisms and which occupies 5% of total soil volume.

 

Humus

 

When organic matter completes its process of decomposition all that is left back or dark coloured material is known as humus.

 

Or Humus bay be defined as the highly decomposed organic matter which is fairly stable, amorphous, brown to black material formed as a result of decomposition of plant and animal residues.

 

Fertilizers

 

Fertilizers are the chemical substances manufactured in the factories and are used to supply one or more nutrient elements to the soil for successful crop production. 

 

Or any chemical compound, which is used to supply one or more essential plant nutrients, is known as fertilizer. It is generally inorganic in nature.

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Productive soil vs Fertile soil

 

Productive soil vs Fertile soil

All productive soils are must be fertile, but all fertile soils may not be productive-Explain

Soil Fertility and Productivity

Soil fertility refers to the ability of a soil to supply all the essential nutrients to plants in adequate amounts, available forms and in suitable proportions (balance). It is measured in terms of available forms of essential nutrient elements in the soil at any given time. Soil productivity refers to the ability of a soil to produce crops.

Productivity is a broader term that includes fertility as one of the important factors which contribute towards crop yield. This is not a soil property alone but the function of several factors like management practices, irrigation, drainage, plant protection measures, climate etc. This is measured in terms of harvests or crop yield in relation to production factors for a specific kind of soil.

A soil may be fertile but may not be productive. As for example, saline soil may have all the essential elements for plant growth but cannot be fertile because of excess Na-salts, which disturb the balance with other nutrient ions like Ca2+ Mg2+, K+ etc. But a productive soil is, of course, a fertile soil.

Thus soil fertility represents the status of available plant nutrients in soil while soil productivity indicates the resultant effect of various factors influencing crop production, both within and beyond the soil. Soil productivity and soil fertility are two terms which always create confusion in our minds. Soil fertility is the status or the inherent capacity of the soil to supply nutrients to plants in adequate amounts and in suitable proportions. It does not include the climatic condition and production management of crops.

It is the potential status of the soil to produce crops. It depends upon physical, chemical and biological factors of soil. The fertility of a certain soil is same in all the climates. It refers only the status or the inherent capacity of the soil to supply nutrients to plants in adequate amounts and in suitable proportions.  On the other hand, Soil productivity is the capacity of the soil to produce crops with specific systems of management (e.g Irrigation, pesticide application, fertilizer & manure application, weeding, gap filling, thinning, pruning etc.) and is expressed in terms of yields. It is a broader term used to indicate crop yields.

It’s the resultant of various factors influencing soil management. It can be assessed in the field under particular climate conditions. It depends upon location, fertility, physical conditions etc. It is not an inherent property of soil. Soil productivity differs according to the variations in climate and location.  All productive soils are must be fertile, but all fertile soils need not be productive. It may be due to some problems like water logging, saline or alkaline condition, adverse climate etc.

Under these conditions, crop growth is restricted though the soil has sufficient amounts of nutrients. We can easily understand these two terms in the following equation-

i. Soil fertility is the function of available nutrients of soil fertility = f (Nutrient status of Soil)

ii.Soil Productivity = f (Soil fertility + Management + Climate)

Above all discussion we can say that, all productive soils are must be fertile, but all fertile soils may not be productive.

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Useful Agricultural Websites

Online Agricultural Study

Food and Agricultural Organization

United States Department of Agriculture

Role of PH in soil (Nutrient Availability)

 

Role of PH in soil (Nutrient Availability)

Availability of all nutrients depends on soil PH. Generally macronutrients with Mo availability increase as soil PH increase. On the other hand, the availability of micronutrients except Mo decreases with the increase of soil PH. This is suitable PH for available of all nutrient is around 6.5 ­ 7.5.   

P availability: These element (p) availability is maximum when soil PH range 6 ­7.5. The availability of P in acid soils (low PH) is hamper due to formation of Fe, Al, Mn phosphate.   

(i)     Al(OH)3 + H2PO4  →  Al(OH)2-­H2PO4 + OH-­  →  Al(OH)2         

(ii)    Fe(OH)3 + H2PO4  →  Fe(OH)2­­H2PO4 + OH-­  →  Fe(OH)2    P deficiency is very likely in low PH. e.g. Modhupur.          

(iii) P­ fixation occurred in calcareous soil up to 8.5 PH and increases the availability of  P.   

CaCO3 + H2PO4  →  Ca3(PO4)2 + CO2 ↑ + H2O  

Zn availability: Zinc availability is low at high soil PH due to the formation of insoluble Zn(OH)2 or ZnCO3.   

Zn2+ + H2O →  Zn(OH)2+ H+    Zn2+ + CaCO3  →  ZnCO3+ Ca2+

Toxicity of Al, Fe and Mn: In strong acidic soil (PH < 5) toxicity of Al, Fe and Mn may arise. They are more soluble in acidic condition and absorption is more, as a result toxicity arise.   

Microbial activity: Generally bacteria are active in neutral and slightly alkaline soils while fungi are active in acidic soil. So, organic matter decomposition, N2­ fixation, and nitrification are tremendously reduced when soil PH below 5.5.    CO(NH2)2 → NH4+ → NO2­   →   NO3

Factors affecting soil temperature

 

Factors affecting soil temperature 

The temperature a soil attains depends on (a) heat supply—how much heat reaches the soil surface and (b) dissipation of heat—what happens to that heat within the soil mass. So there are various factors that influence the soil temperature which are as follows:  

1. Composition of the soil

Since the soil is a lot granular medium consisting of solid, liquid and gaseous phases, the thermal regimes of the soil will depend upon its volumetric composition, the size and arrangement of the solid particles and also interface relationship between the solid and liquid phases. Among the solid materials, the soil is composed of partly mineral matter and partly organic matter. The specific heat of mineral matter like iron (sp. heat 0.11) is less than that of organic matter, humus (sp. heat 0.44). So soils containing much more mineral matter get heated very easily than those soils containing higher amount of organic matter.  

2. Soil structure

Soil structure also influence soil temperature by controlling pore spaces resulting from the different types of arrangement of soil particles like open and close systems of packing etc. Soils having spheroidal type of structure warm up more quickly because there is no prevailing conditions of waterlogging.

3. Soil texture

A light textured sandy soils, in general, absorb heat very quickly than heavy textured clayed soils. A heavy soils carry a greater quantity of water and due to this reason it warms up very slowly.  

4. Soil moisture

Soil moisture plays a vital role in controlling its thermal regime. The 7ecifie heat of water is high than the soil. Moist soils have a higher specific heat than dry soils. Consequently, a moist soil has a lower temperature than dry soil. Moist soil gets heated very slowly and it is cooler than the dry soils.  

5. Soil colour

In a dark soil where colour is caused by large amounts of humus, the larger amounts of water held by the humus may offset the increased heat absorption due to e dark colour.  

6. Vegetation

Soils covered with different types of vegetation absorb less heat as compared to soils without vegetation cover. Vegetation acts as an interceptor of heat on the soil surface and thereby reduces the thermal regime of the soil.  

7. Irrigation and drainage

Irrigation raises the humidity of the air, lowers the air -.2rnperature over the soil and reduces the daily soil temperature variations. Drainage decreases the heat capacity of wet soils, which raises the soil temperature. This plays an important role in warming up the soil in the spring.  

8. Topography

The slope of the land especially ground slope also influence the soil temperature. The temperature of the ridged fields is higher than those that are level.  

9. Compactness of the soil

Compactness of the soil surface increases the density and the thermal conductivity. Compacted soils have better heat conductivity than loosened soil. Tillage, on the other hand, creates a surface mulch which reduces heat flux from the surface to the sub-surface layers.  

10. Climate

Climate has a profound influence on the thermal regime of the soil. Soils in temperate climate are cooler than those soils in tropical climate.  

11. Season

Soil temperature differs with the seasonal variations of the year. The summer months (June to July in the northern hemisphere) like midday, represent the peak of the global radiation and the maximum temperatures. The winter months have an effect similar to daily night temperatures which is much lower. The temperature of the surface soil is always higher than the air temperature.

So, factors that influence the soil temperature mentioned above have great effect on crop production. We should keep in mind these factors during crop production.

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