PLANTING SYSTEM OF FRUIT PLANT

The layout of the orchard is a very important operation. Under this, the arrangement of fruit plants in the
plot is carefully done to pit the plants at a suitable distance for proper development and for
accommodating the requisite number of plants per unit area, in addition to improving, in addition to
improving the aesthetic look of the orchard.

Advantages of layout:
1. Allow equidistance for each tree for uniform growth.
2. Allow easy orchard operations like cultivation, intercropping, irrigation, spraying of plant protection
chemicals and growth regulators, harvesting etc.
3. Proper utilization of orchard space avoiding wastage of land.
4. Help in proper supervision and management of orchard.
5. Allowing further extension of area from time to time so that subsequent planting would match with the
existing orchard planting.
Following systems are generally practiced for planting fruit plants—
1. Square system
2. Rectangular system
3. Triangular system
4. Quincunx system
5. Hexagonal system
6. Contour system

A. SQUARE SYSTEM: In square system, plant to plant and row to row distances both are same and plants
are planted in each corner of a square.
Advantages:
1. It is easy to make a design or lay out.
2. Cultural operation can be done in two directions.

Disadvantages:
1. In this system a smaller number of plants can be planted compared to hexagonal system.

Where we can apply this system:

1. All most all fruit plants can be planted in this system.
2. Where land is not a limiting factor.
3. Only one kind of plant can be planted.

Problem no. 1. Calculate how many mango saplings can be planted in 1.34 ha of land by using square
planting system where plant to plant and row to row distance is 10 m (i.e. 10 m X 10 m). Layout the
design and show the position of plants.

Solution: Total land = 1.34 ha

Let say, length of the land is = 134 m
Breadth of the land is = 100 m
Therefore, No. of the rows = 100/ 10 =10
No. of the plants in each row = 134/10= 13 (rest 4 m)
Length wise border = 10/2 + 0/2 = 5 m
Breadth wise border = 10/2 + 4/2 = 7 m
Total plants = 13×10 = 130
Result: Total no. of plants can be planted in 1.34 ha of land are 130.
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Layout:
B. RECTANGULAR SYSTEM: In rectangular system, plant to plant and row to row distances are
not same and plants are planted in each corner of a rectangular.
Advantages:
1. It is easy to make a design or lay out for this system.
2. Cultural operations can be done in two directions.

Disadvantages:
1. In this system less number of plants can be planted compared to hexagonal or other planting system.

Where we can apply this system:

1. Where land is not a limiting factor.
2. Only one kind of plant can be planted.
3. Muskmelon, watermelon etc. can be planted in this system.

Problem no. 2. Calculate how many watermelon seedlings can be planted in 1.22 ha of land by using
rectangular planting system where plant to plant and row to row distance is 10 m and 12 m
respectively. Layout the design and show the position of plants.

Solution: Total land = 1.22 ha

Let say, length of the land is = 122 m
Breadth of the land is = 100 m
Therefore, No. of the rows = 100/ 12 =8.3 = 8 (rest 4 m)
No. of the plants in each row = 122/10= 12.2 = 12 (rest 2 m)
Length wise border = 12/2 + 4/2 = 8 m
Breadth wise border = 10/2 + 2/2 = 6 m
Total plants = 12×8 = 96
Result: Total no. of plants can be planted in 1.22 ha of land are 96.

Layout:
(C). TRIANGULAR SYSTEM: In triangular system, plants are planted in each corner of a triangle. This
system is same as square system except that in the even rows plants are planted in midways instead of
opposite to those in the odd rows.
Advantages:
1. More space can be given compare to square system.
2. Cultural operations can be done in three directions.

Disadvantages:
1. Difficult to layout the design.
2. In this system less number of plants can be planted compared to square and hexagonal planting system.

Where we can apply this system:

1. Where land is not a limiting factor.
2. Only one kind of plant can be planted.
3. Pineapple, banana, papaya, betel nut, coconut, lime, lemon etc. can be planted in this system.

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Problem no. 3. Calculate how many coconut seedlings can be planted in 1.22 ha of land by using
triangular planting system where plant to plant and row to row distance is 10 m. Layout the design and
show the position of plants.
Solution: Total land = 1.22 ha
Let say, length of the land is = 122 m
Breadth of the land is = 100 m
Therefore, No. of the rows = 100/ 10 =10
No. of the plants in each odd rows = 122/10= 12.2 = 12 (rest 2 m)
No. of the plants in each even rows = 12 - 1 = 11
No. of the even rows =10/2 = 5
Length wise border = 10/2 + 0/2 = 5 m
Breadth wise border = 10/2 + 2/2 = 6 m
Total plants = 12 X 10 – 5 (no. of even rows) = 115
Result: Total number of plants can be planted in 1.22 ha of land are 115.

Layout:
D. QUINCUNX SYSTEM: In this system, two kinds of plants are planted-
1. Permanent plants
2. Temporary plants or semi permanent plants
Permanent plants are planted in each corner of a square as in square system and temporary plants are
planted at the centre of each square. This system is also called diagonal system.
Advantages:
1. Two kinds of plants can be planted in this system.
2. Additional income can be obtained.
3. Temporary plants can be beneficial for the permanent plants by giving shade during early
stage of growth.

Disadvantages:
1. Difficult to practice the cultural operations.
Where we can apply this system:
Mango, betel nut, coconut etc. can be planted as in square system and in the middle of each square
pineapple, banana, papaya etc. can be planted in this system.

Problem no. 4. Calculate how many banana seedlings can be planted with mango in 1.22 ha of land by
using quincunx planting system where plant to plant and row to row distance is 10 m. Layout the
design and show the position of plants.
Solution: Total land = 1.22 ha
Let say, length of the land is = 122 m
Breadth of the land is = 100 m
Therefore, No. of the mango rows = 100/ 10 =10
No. of the mango plants in each rows = 122/10= 12.2 = 12 (rest 2 m)
No. of the banana rows = 10 – 1 = 9
No. of the banana plant in each row = 12 - 1 = 11
Length wise border = 10/2 + 0/2 = 5 m
Breadth wise border = 10/2 + 2/2 = 6 m
Total mango plants = 12×10 = 120
Total banana plants = 11×9 = 99
Result: Total number of mango and banana plant can be planted in 1.22 ha of land are 120 and 99
respectively.

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Layout:
E. HEXAGONAL SYSTEM: In this system, plants are planted in each corner of an equilateral
triangle and after planting plants form a hexagonal with seventh plants in the centre. In this system,
plants are planted in equal distance from each other. This system is followed-
1. When land is very expensive and fertile.
2. Equal spacing is needed for each plant.
3. To accommodate more plants in per unit area.

Advantages:
1. More plant (above 15%) can be planted compare to square system.
2. Cultural operations can be done in three directions.
3. Space and nutrient can be use uniformly by the plants.

Disadvantages:
1. Difficult to layout the design.
2. Difficult to practice the cultural operation.

Where we can apply this system:

1. Where land is a limiting factor.
2. Only one kind of plant can be planted.
3. Almost all fruit plants can be planted in this system.

Problem no. 5. Calculate how many litchi saplings can be planted in 1.22 ha of land by using
hexagonal planting system where plant to plant distance is 10 m. Layout the design and show the
position of plants.
Solution: Total land = 1.22 ha
Let say, length of the land is = 122 m
Breadth of the land is = 100 m
Plant to plant distance = 10 m
Row to row distance = 8.66 m (by using Pythagoras’ Theorem)
Pythagoras’ Theorem:
The longest side of the triangular is called the “hypotenuse”, so the formula definition is:
In a right angled triangular the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the square of the other two
sides.
So, the square of a (a2) plus the square of b (b2) is equal to the square of c (c2):
a2 + b2 = c2

c
a

b
Therefore, No. of the rows = 100 ÷ 8.66 =11.54 = 11 (rest 4.74 m)
No. of the plants in each odd rows = 122 ÷ 10= 12.2 = 12 (rest 2 m)
No. of the plants in each even rows = 12 - 1 = 11
No. of the even rows =11 - 1÷2 = 5
Length wise border = 8.66÷2 + 4.74÷2 = 6.7 m
Breadth wise border = 10÷2 + 2÷2 = 6 m
Total plants = 12×11 – 5 (no. of even rows) = 127
Result: Total number of plants can be planted in 1.22 ha of land are 127.

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Layout:
F. CONTOUR SYSTEM: This system is generally practiced on the hills with high slopes. It is
particularly suits to a land with undulated topography, where there is a problem of erosion and irrigation
of orchard is difficult.
The main purpose of this system is to minimize land erosion and to conserve soil moisture so as to make
the slopes fit for growing fruits.

Factors affecting spacing of fruit trees:

1. Climate and soil: Under favorable climatic condition and fertile soil fruit trees are likely to grow
vigorously and thus require wider spacing.
2. Varieties: Varieties which produce bigger sized trees require greater spacing than those producing small
sized trees.
3. Growth habit: Fruit trees having spading growth habit (mango, jackfruit, cashew nut, litchi, sapota etc.)
should be given more spacing as compared to less spreading fruit trees (coconut, banana, papaya, lime,
orange etc.)
4. Root stock: Fruit trees grown on vigorous rootstocks require larger spacing than those grown on dwarf
rootstocks.
5. Nature of irrigation: Trees grown under liberal irrigation attain bigger size than those under restricted
irrigation and require relatively wider spacing.
6. Pruning: As pruning determines the sex of trees, the spacing will vary according to whether the tree will
be pruned as standards, half standards or bushes.

It is very difficult to suggest the spacing for fruit trees, which will suit every locality or soil. However,
the spacing given below for some of the important fruits may be considered as a safe guide for planting
fruit orchards both in the hills and plains.

Spacing for different fruit plants:

Fruits Spacing (m×m)

1. Banana, Papaya, Grapes 2-3 × 2-3
2. Passion fruit 3-4 × 3-4
3. Pomegranate 3-6 × 3-6
4. Custard apple 4-5 × 4-5
5. Date palm, Fig, Lemon 5-6 × 5-6
6. Pumelo, Grape fruit 6-7 × 6-7
7. Guava, Cashew nut, Mulberry 5-7 × 5-7
8. Persimmon 7-8 × 7-8
9. Sapota, Avocado, Star apple 8-9 × 8-9
10. Mandarin, Sweet orange 6-9 × 6-9
11. Aonla, Mangostone 9-11 × 9-11
12. Jujubee, Jamun, Mango, Litchi 10-12 × 10-12
13. Jackfruit 12 × 12
14. Pineapple 0.75- 0.90 × 0.30-0.50