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Citrus Crop Management: Complete Guide with SOP for Profitable Cultivation

Citrus Crop Management: Complete Guide with SOP for Profitable Cultivation

1. Introduction

  • Significance of citrus fruits in global horticulture

  • India's contribution to citrus production

  • Focus keyword: “Citrus crop management”

2. Types of Citrus Fruits Grown in India and Globally

  • Common citrus types: Orange, Sweet Lime (Mosambi), Lemon, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Pomelo

  • Regional adaptability and international market preferences

3. Major Citrus Growing States and Regions

  • Key states: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu

  • Agro-climatic zone classification for citrus

4. Ideal Climatic and Soil Requirements

  • Temperature range: 20–35°C; avoid frost-prone areas

  • Rainfall: 750–1,500 mm annually

  • Well-drained loamy/sandy loam soils; pH: 5.5–7.5

5. Land Preparation and Layout Design

  • Criteria for site selection (sunlight, wind protection, water availability)

  • Layout systems: Square, Hexagonal, Contour

  • Pit digging size, soil mixture (FYM + neem cake + topsoil)

6. Recommended Citrus Varieties and Rootstocks

  • Popular varieties: Nagpur Orange, Sathgudi, Kinnow, Kagzi Lime

  • Rootstocks: Rangpur lime, Cleopatra mandarin, Rough lemon

  • Importance of grafting and budding techniques

7. Nursery and Sapling Preparation SOP

  • Healthy rootstock production

  • Budding season and techniques (T-budding, patch budding)

  • Sapling care: shade, watering, pest control

8. Planting Time and Transplanting Techniques

  • Best seasons: Monsoon (June–August), Spring (February–March)

  • SOP: Pit refilling, sapling placement, spacing (5x5 m or 6x6 m), initial irrigation

9. Irrigation Management

  • Irrigation frequency by growth stage

  • Drip irrigation benefits vs. flood irrigation

  • Moisture conservation and mulching techniques

10. Nutrient Management and Fertilizer Application

  • NPK schedule by tree age

  • Micronutrients: Zn, Fe, Mn, B, Mg – foliar and fertigation

  • Use of vermicompost, compost tea, neem cake

11. Weed, Pest, and Disease Management SOP

  • Common weeds and manual/chemical control

  • Major pests:

    • Citrus psylla

    • Leaf miner

    • Blackfly

  • Major diseases:

    • Citrus canker

    • Citrus greening (HLB)

    • Phytophthora gummosis

  • IPM strategies: Traps, neem oil, beneficial insects

12. Pruning and Canopy Management SOP

  • Pruning tools and ideal timing

  • Young tree training vs. mature tree maintenance

  • SOP for removing water shoots, suckers, and diseased branches

13. Flowering and Fruit Setting Management

  • Application of PGRs (e.g., NAA, GA3) for fruit retention

  • Pollination management and flowering boost techniques

14. Fruit Thinning and Quality Improvement

  • SOP for thinning during high flowering years

  • Techniques to improve uniform size, sweetness, and peel color

15. Harvesting Techniques and Maturity Indices

  • Signs of maturity: color, firmness, TSS (°Brix)

  • SOP for manual harvesting using clippers

  • Post-harvest de-sapping and shade curing

16. Grading, Packaging, and Storage SOP

  • Grading based on size, skin quality, sweetness

  • Eco-friendly packaging for local/export markets

  • Cold chain requirements: 8–10°C, 85–90% RH

17. Market Linkage and Price Trends

  • Seasonal citrus price fluctuations

  • Export hubs and wholesale mandis

  • Tips for direct marketing, contract farming, FPO linkage

18. Organic Citrus Farming Practices

  • Certification process (NPOP, PGS)

  • SOP: Organic nutrient and pest inputs

  • Returns from organic citrus vs. conventional

19. Government Support and Schemes

  • MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture)

  • NHB, RKVY, FPO funding, Agri Infrastructure Fund

  • Subsidies for drip irrigation, nurseries, cold storage

20. Challenges in Citrus Crop Management

  • Climate change impacts (unseasonal rains, temperature spikes)

  • Pest/disease resistance buildup

  • Price volatility & solution strategies

21. Citrus Orchard Maintenance Calendar (Month-wise SOP)

  • January to December maintenance guide

  • Seasonal operations: pruning, fertilizing, irrigation, pest scouting

  • Flowering, harvesting, marketing cycle

22. Future Scope of Citrus Farming in India

  • Growth of juice and processing industry

  • Export diversification potential

  • Use of AI, drones, and digital irrigation sensors

23. Conclusion

  • Key citrus crop management SOPs

  • Call for climate-smart, sustainable citrus farming

24. FAQs

  1. What is the best fertilizer for citrus fruit trees?

  2. How often should citrus trees be irrigated?

  3. What are the major diseases of citrus and how to control them?

  4. Can citrus be grown organically with good returns?

  5. What is the ideal spacing for citrus planting?

Citrus Crop Management: Complete Guide with SOP for Profitable Cultivation

???? Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Citrus Crop Management

1. Site Selection & Land Preparation

Objective:

Ensure the site has optimal conditions for citrus establishment and growth.

Procedure:

  • Select land with well-drained sandy loam soil, pH 5.5–7.5.

  • Ensure no water stagnation; avoid low-lying or frost-prone areas.

  • Perform deep ploughing and remove old roots and debris.

  • Apply 20–25 tons/acre of well-decomposed FYM before layout.

  • Design layout: Square (6x6 m), Hexagonal (5.5x5.5 m) or Contour on slopes.

2. Recommended Varieties and Rootstocks

Objective:

Choose high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties suited to local climate.

Varieties:

  • Oranges: Nagpur, Blood Red

  • Mandarins: Kinnow, Coorg

  • Lime/Lemon: Kagzi Lime, Eureka

  • Rootstocks: Rough Lemon, Rangpur Lime, Cleopatra Mandarin

3. Nursery and Sapling Production

Objective:

Raise healthy and uniform saplings using budding techniques.

SOP:

  • Sow rootstock seeds in polybags or beds.

  • Transplant at 4-leaf stage into secondary nursery.

  • Perform T-budding or patch budding at 6–8 months age.

  • Maintain hygiene, regular watering, and pest control.

4. Planting & Transplanting

Time: Monsoon (June–August) or Spring (Feb–March)

SOP:

  • Dig pits: 60×60×60 cm; fill with topsoil + FYM + neem cake.

  • Spacing: 6x6 m for sweet lime and mandarin; 5x5 m for lime/lemon.

  • Remove polythene from saplings; plant at original nursery depth.

  • Water immediately and provide shade cover if planted in dry months.

5. Irrigation Management

Growth-Stage Schedule:

  • Initial 1 year: Every 4–5 days

  • Fruit-bearing stage: Every 7–10 days (adjust with rainfall)

  • Drip irrigation: 8–10 liters/tree/day (young), up to 30 liters (mature)

Tips:

  • Use mulching to reduce evaporation.

  • Avoid overwatering to prevent gummosis and root rot.

6. Nutrient Management

Year-wise Fertilizer Schedule per Plant (g/tree/year):

Age N (g) P (g) K (g)
1st 200 100 100
2nd 400 200 200
3rd 600 300 300
Mature 900 300 500

 

  • Split into 3–4 applications.

  • Supplement with Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg as foliar spray.

  • Apply vermicompost, neem cake, and biofertilizers twice a year.

7. Weed, Pest & Disease Management

Common Pests:

  • Citrus psylla, Blackfly, Leaf miner

  • Control: Yellow sticky traps, neem oil sprays, imidacloprid (as per label)

Major Diseases:

  • Citrus canker – copper oxychloride spray

  • Greening (HLB) – Remove infected trees, control psylla

  • Gummosis – Trunk cleaning, Bordeaux paste

IPM SOP:

  • Use pheromone traps

  • Introduce Trichogramma or Chrysoperla spp.

  • Rotate chemical groups to prevent resistance

8. Pruning & Canopy Management

  • Time: After harvest and before monsoon

  • Remove water shoots, suckers, diseased branches

  • Use sanitized secateurs/saws

  • Shape canopy for better light and air penetration

9. Flowering & Fruit Setting Management

  • Spray GA₃ (20 ppm) + urea (1%) during pre-flowering

  • Maintain adequate irrigation and nutrient levels

  • Control heavy drop using 2,4-D (10 ppm) post-fruit set

10. Fruit Thinning SOP

  • Thin excess fruits 30–40 days after fruit set

  • Retain one fruit per cluster

  • Improves size, sugar content, and skin color

11. Harvesting SOP

  • Maturity Index: Full color, firm texture, 9–10° Brix

  • Use clippers or scissors; avoid pulling fruits

  • Collect in padded baskets to prevent injury

12. Post-Harvest Handling

  • De-sap and pre-cool before grading

  • Grade based on size, shape, and skin quality

  • Use corrugated boxes for packing

  • Store at 8–10°C, 85–90% RH for 2–4 weeks

13. Organic Citrus SOP

  • Use FYM, vermiwash, compost tea

  • Spray neem, garlic, and cow urine-based solutions for pest control

  • Maintain buffer zones and internal records for certification

14. Month-wise Maintenance Calendar

Month Key Tasks
Jan–Feb Pruning, basin cleaning, manuring
Mar–Apr Irrigation, micronutrient spray
May–Jun Pest scouting, weeding
Jul–Aug Fertilizer application, PGRs
Sep–Oct Fruit thinning, disease control
Nov–Dec Harvesting, post-harvest handling

 

15. Safety and Compliance

  • Follow label instructions for agrochemicals

  • Use gloves, masks, and eye protection when spraying

  • Maintain field logs for certification and audits

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