Fruit Crop Production

Fruit Crop Production Introduction

Fruit crop growing is one of the crop production enterprises that can persistently survive harsh environmental conditions. During harsh climatic conditions, the crops undergo dormancy and can resume reproduction and production when the harsh conditions cease. In case pests or diseases had destroyed foliage after the crop had established, the crop regenerates. The ability of fruit crops to produce during or after such extreme conditions explains the consistent supply of fruit products on the market.

Growing fruit crops can enhance nutrition and income security of the farming households. A mango or avocado tree in the compound or tamarillo growing in a banana plantation gives periodic fruit and income benefits to the farmer. For extensive benefits, large scale production is recommended. In this chapter therefore, you will learn to produce and market fruits profitably.

Value of Fruit Crops Grown in Uganda

Fruit crop growing is one of the major economic activities in some communities in Uganda. Fruit crop growing can be a source of food and income to the farmers. Because of the low consumption rate of fruits, most of fruits produced are for sale. Use Figure 4.2.1 and Activity 4.2.1 to explore the value of fruit growing.

Selecting an Appropriate Fruit Crop to Grow

The choice of a fruit crop to grow is important in attaining the highest quantity of the best quality. Also, the fruit selected to be grown should meet the market demands of the local population. In addition, it should be able to produce well in the given climatic and soil conditions. What other factors will you consider to select a fruit crop to grow? In Activity 4.2.2, you are going to practise selecting fruit crops to grow?

Activity 4.2.2 Selecting an appropriate fruit crop to grow

What you need:

Notebook, pen, camera

What to do:

1. In groups, visit a nearby fruit farmer or watch a video on fruit crop growing.

2. Interview the farmer on the growth requirements of the fruit crops he/ she grows and others he or she may know.

3. Obtain information on the productivity of each of the types of fruit crops. Record the findings in kilogrammes or tonnes per hectare. Which fruit crop has the highest productivity? Give reasons for the level of productivity of each fruit crop.

4. Get information on the cost of production of a unit quantity of fruits.

5. Ask the farmer about the fruits that are on high demand in the market. Seek supporting information.

6. Reflect on the soil and climatic conditions at your home or school. Will the fruit crop grow favourably in the area? Give reasons for your answer.

7. Record the findings of your field visit in a notebook. Use the information to decide on the fruit crop to grow at school or home.

8. Judge the fruit crop you have chosen against the following recommendations. Put your comment in the evaluation column.

Climatic and Soil Requirements for Fruit Crop Growing

In which climatic conditions do fruit crops flourish? Did you know that Uganda lies in the tropics with an annual average temperature of 21-30°C? Climatic and soil requirements influence fruit crop production. Climatic factors that influence fruit crop production include rainfall, temperature and humidity. Soil pH, soil drainage, soil fertility and the soil profile all affect production and productivity. Use Activity 4.2.3 to explore the soil and climatic conditions for fruit crop growing.

Activity 4.2.3 Investigating climatic and soil requirements for growing fruit crops

What you need:

Camera, notebook, pen

What to do:

1. In groups, reflect on the field experiences with the fruit farmer in Activity 4.2.2.

2. Brainstorm on the climatic and soil conditions of the fruit crop site. Will the conditions support optimum productivity? Give supporting information. You can get this information from videos, books, the Internet and brochures on fruit growing.

3. Make a checklist of the favourable climatic and soil requirements for fruit crop growing.

4. Assess the climatic and soil conditions of your fruit crop site against the checklist. What is the score? What conditions can you improve?

5. Seal and display your site assessment at the fruit crop site.

Preparation of the Soil for Fruit Growing

What should the condition of the soil for planting fruit crops be? Did you know that you need well drained, fertile, pest and pathogen free soils? Soil must be prepared to make it suitable to receive and nourish the fruit crop to be planted. Use Figure 4.2.2 and Activity 4.2.4 to practice preparing the soil for fruit crop growing.

Activity 4.2.4 Preparing the soil for fruit crop growing

What you need:

Hand gloves, overall, gumboots, heat source, water or electricity, notebook, pen

What to do:

1. In groups, wear protective gear (such as gumboots and overall) for soil preparation activities.

2. Identify the site in your school where you are going to get a combination of well drained soils with organic matter.

3. Weed and remove obstacles like crop stumps and large stones that will Limit efficient work in the nursery.

4. Prepare the soil for growing the crop in the nursery bed using the farm experience you have. During planting, mix the top soil, coarse sand and manure in the ratio of 2:1:1 to make a uniform medium.

5. Sterilise the soil to kill soil borne pests and pathogens. How is soil sterilisation disadvantageous to the soil?

6. Cool the soil by flooding it with distilled water. What is the disadvantage of flooding the soil?

7. Cover the soil lightly with mulch to prepare it to receive seeds or seedlings.

8. Allow the soil to cool for about 7-14 days from the date of sterilising to planting. Why is the time period recommended?

9. Write a report describing the activities you conducted in preparing the soil for growing of fruit crops.

Basic Fruit Crop Nursery Tending Operations

Fruit crops are first grown in a nursery before they are planted in a garden where they will mature. A nursery is an area prepared specifically for raising seedlings. Seedlings are raised in the nursery if they are susceptible to environmental stress. Therefore, seedlings can only be exposed to such environmental conditions after they have hardened off.

Seedlings planted in the nursery bed have higher chances of survival after planting in the field. This is because only strong and healthy seedlings are selected for transplanting. Use Figure 4.2.3 and Activity 4.2.5 to carry out nursery operations of fruit crops.

Activity 4.2.5 Raising seedlings in the nursery bed

What you need

Nursery bags, seed pots or seed boxes, soil, manure or fertiliser, seeds notebook, pen

What to do.

1. In groups, obtain nursery bags of appropriate size depending on the crop.

2. For bags that are closed at one end, punch drainage holes at the bottom.

3. Mix the top soil, coarse sand and manure in the ratio of 2:1:1 to make a uniform medium.

4. Fill the bags with soil, well mixed with decomposed manure or fertiliser.

5. Arrange the bags in length by width blocks of 100 by 10 to ease moving around each block.

6. Allow a space of 45 to 60cm between blocks to ease movement while monitoring the seedlings.

7. Water the soil in the bags before sowing the seeds.

8. Soak the seeds in water for between 24 to 48 hours. Why do you think seeds should be soaked before sowing?

9. Identify the seeds that sink to help you estimate the germination percentage. Select only those that sink.

10. Remove the seeds from water and place them in a seed tray in a warm, sunny position and spray to keep damp. Allow the seeds to come back to air temperature.

11. Sow the seed at a depth of 2 cm with the hilum or stalk scar facing up. Avoid seeds that are already germinating.

12. Construct a shed (about 2 m high) over the seedlings. Is that height enough for you to work under the shed? Give reasons for your answer.

13. Water the seedlings regularly in the morning and evening if there is no rain.

14. Remove weeds that appear. Inspect for pest and disease attack and take appropriate action.

15. Reduce shed towards transplanting to harden off the seedlings. Remove shed completely one month before transplanting.

16. Write a report on the activities conducted. If possible, use a computer to write your report.

Methods of Planting Fruit Crops

There are several methods used when planting fruit crops. The best method is one that allows efficient use of nutrients and gives the maximum yield per unit of land. The pattern in which the seedlings are planted may differ depending on the land area available, altitude or even farmer’s preferences.

Topography of the land may influence the choice of the method of planting to adopt for fruit crops. Common methods of planting fruit crops include contour, rectangular, square, free style, hexagonal, and quincunx. Use Figure 4.2.4 and Activity 4.2.6 to design planting systems for your fruit crops.

Activity 4.2.6 Practising the methods of planting fruit crops

What you need:

Sisal string, hoe, dibber, mallet, pegs, measuring tape, camera, protractor, spirit level, builder’s square, pictures of planting methods, notebook, pen

What to do:

1. In groups, identify the design (rectangular, free style, triangular, square, hexagonal, quincunx, or contour) that you intend to use in organising fruit crop blocks.

2. Identify the method that matches the size and slope of your land. Give reasons for your answer.

3. After you have selected a method of establishing your orchard blocks, consider the spacing type of each fruit crop.

4. At one end of the site, using a peg, mark the point at which a fruit crop seedling will be planted.

5. Using the right intercrop or monocrop spacing of the fruit crop chosen, and in the desired design, mark off the point for the next crop seedling using a peg.

6. Use the sisal string to ensure that there is a straight line between two crops. Why is it advisable to plant the seedlings in rows?

7. Remove each peg as you dig a hole of appropriate size and depth.

8. With illustrations, write a report to the teacher indicating the field activities you conducted.

Principles of Good Management of Fruit Crops

Management practices in fruit crops are important for optimum production and productivity.

Key management practices in fruit crop growing include manuring, mulching, pest and disease control, pruning and timely harvesting. In anticipation for a good harvest and better prices, the initial stages of establishing fruit crops need to be carefully managed. Use Figure 4.2.5 and Activity 4.2.7 to apply principles of good management of fruit crops.

Activity 4.2.7 Applying principles of good management of fruit crops

What you need:

Garden tools, notebook, pen

What to do:

1. In groups, carry out the management of fruit crops as a business project during which you identify problems, collect data and search for solutions to the problems for your own crop plots. Ensure you take records of every activity conducted on the fruit crop garden.

2. Use recommended spacing for oranges 7.5 x 7.5 m, grapes 9 x 9 m, tangerine 6 x 4.5 m, pawpaw 3 x 3 m, passion fruits 2 x 2 m and mangoes 10 x 10 m.

3. Practise field hygiene practices like weeding whenever weeds appear.

4. Apply fertilisers recommended by seed suppliers. Manures may be applied to improve soil condition and fertility. If the crops do not show nutrient deficiency symptoms, do not apply inorganic fertilisers as it may be uneconomical.

5. Prune off the tip to encourage dense growth of branches on which flowers are borne. For what other reasons is pruning done?

6. Control pests and diseases using a combination of cultural and mechanical practices. Use chemicals only if pests and diseases persist.

7. Carry out all practices that will optimise yield. Note down the practices.

8. Compare your plot with those of other groups. Which of the plots is better? Give reasons for your answer.

9. Use ideas from other groups or renowned farmers in your community to implement strategies for better field management.

10. Write a report to document your findings. Submit the report to the teacher for further guidance. Apply the principles of good management of fruit crops in your fruit crop production project.

Vegetative Propagation of Fruit Crops

Did you know that most horticultural crops including fruits are propagated vegetatively? How is vegetative propagation conducted in fruit crops? Vegetative propagation is a method through which new plants develop from the vegetative parts of plants. It is a common method of propagation in fruit crops. Sexual reproduction leads to new varieties but vegetative propagation produces fast maturing plants that can resist environmental stress. Vegetatively propagated crops also mature faster than seed propagated crops. Use Figure 4.2.6 and Activity 4.2.8 to carry out vegetative propagation.

Activity 4.2.8 Carrying out vegetative propagation by grafting

What you need:

Rootstock, scion, grafting tape, grafting wax or paint, sharp knife, sterilant or alcohol, camera, notebook, pen

What to do:

1. In groups, either visit the orchard section of your school garden or watch a video or observe photographs on vegetative propagation.

2. Identify a pair of fruit crops of different species (for example lemon and orange) that can be vegetatively propagated by grafting or budding. At this point, take pictures and video recordings for each process conducted.

3. Sterilise the knife or secateurs using alcohol or household bleach (10% bleach in 90% water by volume).

4. Identify one fruit crop to be the rootstock and another to provide the scion or bud.

5. Select a healthy scion with young buds or shoots. Cut the scion (bud) by slicing it once off the mother plant using a sharp knife or pair of secateurs.

6. Moisten the cut end of the scions, place them in a moistened burlap bag and store at a temperature of 32°F to 34°F before using them.

7. Prepare the root stock by cutting a shape into which the scion will fit exactly.

8. Immerse the scions into synthetic auxins and insert the cut end of the scion into the rootstock. What is the role of auxins in vegetative propagation?

9. Wrap the graft joint with grafting tape and seal with grafting paint or wax.

10. Water the plant regularly and monitor the growth. Take records.

11. With photographs attached, write the procedure for grafting or budding of fruit crops. Apply the vegetative propagation practices in your fruit crop production project.

Pest and Disease Control in Fruit Crops

A pest is any organism that causes economic losses. Pests destroy the crop directly by feeding on it. Pests may also spread pathogens from infected to healthy plants. Pests and diseases account for over 60% of economic losses in agriculture. Pest and disease control may be mechanical, chemical, cultural, legislative or Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Legislative measures involve enforcement of guidelines such as quarantine. Do you remember the COVID-19 quarantine? It is advisable that chemicals are applied if the pest levels have surpassed cultural, mechanical and IPM measures. This is because pesticides contaminate food produce. Using Activity 4.2.9, exercise pest and disease control in fruit trees.

Activity 4.2.9 Controlling pests and diseases in fruit crops

What you need:

Knife, camera, secateurs or pruning saw, knapsack sprayer, pesticide, water, note book, pen, hand gloves

What to do:

1. In groups, wear protective gear such as gumboots, overall and gloves. Visit a fruit crop in your school community.

2. Observe symptoms for pest or disease attack on the leaves, branches and the stem.

3. Dig about 30 centimetres into the soil to check for signs of disease or pest damage on the roots.

4. Record the signs and note the suspected disease or pest. If you don’t know, inquire from the farm manager.

5. Brainstorm on how to control the pest or disease identified. List down the control measures identified. Which of the methods is effective on pests and diseases? Give reasons for your answer.

6. Let your list include spraying, pruning, mulching and crop rotation?

7. Using secateurs, wear hand gloves and prune off the parts showing disease and pest damages or uproot and bury the whole plant.

8. As you remove damaged branches, carry out mandatory pruning to create space for all the crop parts to receive sunlight. Write other advantages of pruning that you know.

9. For plants looking wholly damaged, follow the instructions on the pesticide bottle, mix with water in a knapsack sprayer and start spraying.

10. For tall fruit crops, you may need to connect a longer hose pipe to the knapsack sprayer or use motorised equipment if available.

11. Write an article for the school magazine on the, “Control of Fruit Crop Pest and Diseases”.

Harvesting Fruit Crops

Harvesting means collecting crops from the garden after they have reached physiological maturity. Did you know that colour, smell and texture of the fruit will guide you in selection of a fruit ready for harvesting? Why do you think you need to harvest mature fruits only? Use Figure 4.2.7 and Activity 4.2.10 to practise harvesting of fruit crops.

Activity 4.2.10 Harvesting fruit crop

What you need:

Camera, notebook, pen.

What to do:

1. In groups, go to the school garden or an area near your school community where fruit crops are grown.

5. Suggest what can be done with fruits that are harvested when pre-mature or over-mature?

6. State the advantages of harvesting mature fruits.

7. Discuss with the farmers the best stage for harvesting fruits to maintain quality. Give reasons to support the answer and identify fruits at the right stage and harvest them.

8. Grade the fruits according to colour, shape or hardness.

9. State what you can advise farmers on fruit harvest management

10. Record your findings in your notebook. Apply the practices in harvesting in your fruit crop production project.

Principles of Financial Management in Fruit Crops

Most fruit crops are perennial crops. Their production involves financial input at different stages. It is important that the farmer makes plans for finances. records the finances and evaluates how the funds are used to meet project needs. Use Activity 4.2.11 to apply financial management principles in fruit crop production.

Activity 4.2.11 Applying financial management principles in fruit production

What you need: Notebook, pen, calculator

What to do:

1. In groups, brainstorm the stages of fruit crop production that will require financial resources.

2. Examine the costs of all the tools, equipment, materials and services that you will need during the project life cycle.

3. Draw a budget indicating the estimated costs of all the supplies needed for the fruit crop project. Why do you need a budget?

4. Strictly, execute the budget details ensuring to keep daily records of expenditure and income in your diary.

5. Make financial reports after every six month. This will help you track your progress.

6. The transactions you make, communicate findings in an audit report and plan for the next accounting cycle.

7. As a class, make a budget for a fruit crop production project.

8. Display the budget at the agriculture learning station in your classroom.

Marketing of Fruits and Fruit Products

Did you know that marketing refers to the activities a company or an individual undertakes to promote the buying or selling of a product or service. It includes advertising, selling, and delivering products to consumers or other businesses. How do you plan to maximise profit from your fruit crop enterprise? All activities such as cleaning, grading, preservation, processing, packaging and transportation are marketing processes in fruit crop production. Use Activity 4.2.12 to market fruit crop products.

Activity 4.2.12 Marketing of fruits

What you need:

Fruits, shilling notes, notebook, pen

What to do:

In pairs, stand in front of the class (preferably male and female) and act the following dialogue. [A customer arrives at a fruit selling stall along the road]

Seller: Hello, you are welcome.

Buyer: Eeeeh, thank you. I would like to buy some fruits

Seller: Each pack containing three mangoes is UGX 3,000.

Buyer: Just get me three packs. Here is your money.

Seller: [packs the fruits in a paper bagi. Thank you dear! Aren’t you taking some jackfruit too? Each is just UGX 11,000.

Buyer: Give me one jackfruit for testing so that I can start buying regularly.

Seller: Thanks for the support. Nice time dear.

Buyer: Good bye!

Task

I. What qualities of a good business person does the seller exhibit? 2. How did the seller attract the buyer to purchase the jackfruit?

3. How do you think you can attract more customers for your fruits?

4 Find out the prices of any six different fruits produced in your area and arrange them from the most to least demanded.

5. Use the skills you have learned from the dialogue to market the least demanded fruits so as to increase their market.

6. Discuss the fruit marketing plan (what product, to who-buyers or market, where-place of sale, when-period, how-processed or not).

7. Organise the fruits in the best form and present them to the market for sale & Explain the challenges you faced in marketing the fruits. How did you solve the challenges?

9. Design a marketing plan for another lot of fruits from your project.

Entrepreneurial Skills in Fruit Crop Production

Did you know that entrepreneurial skills combine a range of technical, management and personal skills? The skills include creativity, innovation and risk-taking, ability to plan and manage projects in order to achieve objectives. Do you know any farmers who grow fruit crops in your community? How do they manage the fruit crop projects as business investments? Use Activity 4.2.13 to apply entrepreneurial skills in fruit production.

Activity 4.2.13 Applying entrepreneurial skills in fruit crop production

What you need:

Receipt books, invoice newsprints, marker,

What to do:

1. On a newsprint, record all the things you will need to establish a fruit crop production project.

2. Take a record of all the activities involved in the production of the fruit crop of your choice.

3. Set timelines for all the activities involved in the fruit crop production project.

4. Follow the budget estimates to obtain materials and equipment.

5. Follow the recommended practices in the establishment and management of a fruit crop.

6. Make an evaluation of the costs and the income of production. What quantity of crop will you need to cover the expenses or get a better profit?

7. Establish a sales and income record to enable you monitor the progress of the project. What is your evaluation of the project performance?

8. Together with other farm workers, review the activities and timelines for better performance of the project.

9. Make a checklist list of the characteristics of an ideal fruit crop farmer. Can individual farmers in your community score 50% if assessed against the checklist? Give reasons to support your answer.

10. Present your assessment to an audience for feedback.