Various layout of orchard

1. Square System

• This is the simplest and most common system of layout in which field is divided into squares and trees are planted in corners of square at right angle, thus every four plants makes one square
• Here, distance between the plants and that between rows of plants is same and thus the use of orchard equipment and intercultural operations can be done from both direction
• However, this system has less plant density in comparison to others
• No. of plants can be calculated using:

NP= A/(PxR)

where, NP : no. of plants

A= area

P= plant to plant distance

R= row to row distance

• Example mango, banana, citrus

Fig : Square system

2. Rectangular System

• In this system, row to row distance is generally more than plant to plant distance
• More plant are accommodate in rows due to less plant to plant distance than row
• Mechanical operation and intercultural operation is easy in both rectangular and square system
• Example: grapes
• No. of plants can be calculated using: where, NP= A/(PxR)

NP : no. of plants

A= area

P= plant to plant distance

R= row to row distance

fig : Rectangular system

3. Quincunx or Diagonal filler method

• This is the modification of square/ rectangular system with filter tree planted in centre
• Filter plant are quick growing, early maintaining and erect type
• Fruits like banana and papaya are used as filler plants
• The filler plants are removed as soon as the main fruit trees in the orchard start to bear flower and fruits
• The planting of filler trees provide additional income to the grower in the early stage of orchard
• The tree number in an orchard in a unit area becomes almost double than in square system
• If the plant density is more, intercropping and intercultural operation is more difficult
• Experienced and fertile land as cultivation becomes intensive due to increase in plants per unit area than others
• Guava, Peaches, Papaya etc. are important filler plants

Fig : Quincunx or Diagonal filler method

4. Hexagonal or Equilateral triangle method

• This system is called equilateral triangle system as the trees are planted at the corners of equilateral triangle (hexagon divided into 6 equilateral triangles)
• Thus trees are equidistance from each other, six at the corner of hexagon while one at its centre
• It occupies 15% more plants than square system thus this system is considerable where the land is expensive
• This is very intense method of planting and hence requires fertile land
• This system however makes the mechanical operation difficult
• Six trees form hexagon with also possibilities of seventh tree in the center hence called “septule”
• Number of plants can be calculated as:

NP= A/(PxR )

where,

NP : no. of plants

A= area in square metre

P= plant to plant distance

R= row to row distance

Fig : Hexagonal or Equilateral triangle method

5. Contour or Terrace systems

• It is mainly followed in hilly areas where the topography is undulated
• Trees are planted against the slope usually right angle to the slope
• Contour lines are detected by A-frame( leveling purpose)
• Contour terraces are constructed on the steeper slopes
• Main purpose of this system is to check run-off and minimize soil erosion
• Trees are planted in a row at same height
• However planting distance may not be uniform in this system

Advantages:

• Reduction of soil erosion
• Utilization of slopy and hilly areas into profitable work

Limitations:

• Difficult to layout the land
• To find out the counter line, we must focus the A-frame
• Harvesting and intercultural operations are difficult

Fig : Contour or Terrace systems