Intensive Fruit Cultivation Technology of Citrus Fruits: High Density Planting: A Brief Review

Sweat orange, grape fruit, lime, lemon and mandarin are the major citrus fruit cultivated in most of the countries. Less land and traditional citrus cultivation practice result low production as well as productivity especially in developing countries. This paper is reviewed with the aim of calling attentions of the concerned sectors by explaining benefits of high density planting technology over traditional system of planting in citrus fruit. More than forty research technical papers were critically reviewed focus on pruning practices, planting distance, dwarf rootstocks of citrus spp. and possible uses of plant growth regulators (retardants) used in citrus fruit. Annual pruning in recommend technique, use of dwarf rootstocks viz. trifoliate, troyer citrange, assam lemon etc, appropriate planting distance, use of plant growth regulators (Paclobutrazol and GA3) and nutrient management are the basic components for successful high density planting(HDP). HDP technology is gaining popularity in citrus because of earlier production and net returns, increasing land values and higher taxes of land, efficient use of nutrient and water due to greater root densities, efficient pesticidal application and easier weed control.