A Comprehensive Review on High-Density Planting in Fruit Crops and Its Outcomes
N. A. Karishma
Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
S. Simi *
Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
P. R. Manju
Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
M. Rafeekher
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The average productivity of fruits in India is low when compared to horticulturally developed countries, the main reasons being old and senile orchards, low yielding genotypes, poor orchard management and inadequate technological interventions. Presently, the increasing costs of land and energy, along with shrinking cultivable land and the rising demand for fruits, have collectively led to the adoption of High-Density Planting (HDP) system in fruits. HDP aims to optimize vertical and horizontal space, accommodating more plants per unit area to reduce the gestation period, increase productivity, improve fruit quality, and maximize returns while maintaining soil fertility. The effectiveness of this technology relies on employing methods to regulate shoot growth and optimize light interception as the trees start to produce fruits. The main aim of this review is to focus upon contemporary information about the spacing, suitable varieties and plant population of different fruit crops under HDP systems and how to control tree size by adopting various techniques.
Keywords: High density planting, spacing, pruning, paclobutrazole, growth retardants, fruit crops, fruit quality, rootstock