Pomelo fruit belongs to the “Rutaceae” family and the citrus genus. Pomelo’s scientific name is Citrus Grandis or Citrus Maxima. These pomelo fruits are native to Southeast Asia and the South. In the citrus world, pomelo is the largest fruit. The yellow and thick-skinned fruit is renowned in the western world as Pomelo, Shaddock, Pamplemousse or Batavia lemon.
This fruit is also known as “Chakras” in India. Pomelo is consumed as fresh fruit and used in cooking to make jellies and desserts. This fruit may weigh up to 10 kg. Pomelo tastes like grapefruit, but it’s sweeter than grapes. Without the much bitterness and acidity and bitterness. Moreover, its texture is fleshy and has more membrane than many other types of citrus fruits.
How to Pomelo Cultivation?
When you start pomelo farming, choose the equipment made according to the respective agriculture, which is most important. However, in pomelo cultivation, you can choose a popular tractor brand. So you should be aware and careful about the equipment involved in farming. However, you can choose the Sonalika tractor and any other. Apart from this, you can find all tractor price online. So let’s look at the process of pomelo farming with complete specifications.
Soil and Climate Requirement
You can grow the pomelo fruit on various soils, from coarse sand to heavy clay. However, it thrives best in the medium texture, deep and needs the fertile soil in lowland tropics. It elevates not exceeding 400 metres above sea level. The ideal soil pH is 5.5 to 6.5, and an optimum temperature of 25°C to 32°C is required. The 150 cm to 180 cm annual rainfall for the best growth and high productivity.
Propagation
Pomelo can propagated by seed or asexually by air layering, budding grafting and stem cuttings. In Southeast Asia, the common propagation method is air layering.
Land Preparation, Spacing and Planting
You should prepare the land to the fine tilth stage by giving 2 to 3 harrowing and ploughing with desi plough. It also clears and weeds previous crops and levels the land. You should apply lime to the soil if the soil is acidic. You should dig the pits about 0.5 deep and wide. Plant spacing of 8 to 10 m x 6 to 8 m should maintained in pomelo cultivation, accommodating about 125 to 210 plants per 1 hectare of land. The onset of the monsoon is the best planting season for pomelo cultivation. However, where irrigation facilities are available, sowing can done anytime. Therefore, you will choose drip irrigation for the best effective management of water.
Irrigation Requirement
Irrigation depends on the holding capacity of soil moisture and the plant growth stage. You should carry out the first irrigation immediately and plant to ensure contact of the plant root with the soil. Then you should irrigate the wilting trees. However, you need frequent irrigation for new growth of the development and shoots of the fruits. During the hot summer period, generally, an adult tree needs 100 to 250 litres of water daily. You can adopt drip irrigation for the effective management of water.
Intercropping in Pomelo Cultivation
You should always utilise the interspaces in the main crop to make some extra income. You can cultivate intercrops such as areca palm and banana or any other vegetable crops during young plantations. Later any shade-loving intercropping would be beneficial.
Fertilisers
Along with organic manure, it requires chemical fertilisation for better production. You can apply the Foliar fertiliser to every new flusher. 13-13-21 NPK combination is used to improve fruit taste. You should apply it in 2 doses, the first dose before flowering and another after 5 to 6 months. You should increase the fertilisers every year based on the tree age. In addition, you should apply the fertilisers in the pits about 1 to 2 metres from the trunk. Spraying of foliar fertiliser is also recommended every 20 days, from 40 days after planting until 140 days after fruit set.
Pests and Diseases
Generally, most diseases and pests that attack citrus crops will also found in pomelo cultivation. These are common leaf miners, leaf-eating caterpillars, red mites, fruit-boring caterpillars, fruit flies, rats, and nematodes.
Harvesting for Pomelo
Generally, pomelo fruits are ready for harvesting in 5 to 6 months from the fruit set (not after planting). The dull skin of the fruit begins to ripen once the oil glands become more prominent and shiny.
Along with pomelo farming, you should also consider the equipment that will help boost the yield. Cultivators, tillers and tractors are crucial factors in pomelo farming. You can choose the Mini tractor in India while farming in a small garden.
For further information regarding pomelo farming in India, stay tuned with us.