Orange

Understanding About Orange 

Nutritional Value

• Orange (Citrus fruits) are rich in Vitamin C, supporting body immunity.
• Contains fiber, which helps improve digestion and gut health.
• Provides natural sugars and carbohydrates for instant energy.
• A source of antioxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids, which protect body cells from damage.
• Contains small amounts of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and folate, essential for blood, bones, and heart.
• Low in calories and fat, making Orange (Citrus fruits) a healthy choice for weight management.
• Natural bioactive compounds in Orange (Citrus fruits) support skin health and wound healing.

Dietary Diversity

• Orange (Citrus fruits) are consumed in fresh fruit form.
• Used widely in making juices, squashes, soft drinks, jams, and marmalades.
• Can be dried or processed into candied peels for bakery items.
• Rich citrus flavor makes it a global favorite in diets.
• Used as flavoring in sweets, desserts, sauces, and beverages.
• Suitable for both poor and rich households due to wide availability.
• Popular in diet plans as a detox fruit.

Economic Importance

• Orange (Citrus fruits) are the world’s most traded fruit crop.
• Provides huge export value in countries like Brazil, India, and Spain.
• Thousands of people earn livelihood from orchard management, packaging, and juice factories.
• Orange (Citrus fruits) contribute significantly to farmers’ cash income due to high demand.
• Citrus processing industries provide employment and foreign exchange.
• Fruit waste is used in cattle feed and bio-products, reducing waste.
• India ranks among the top producers of Orange (Citrus fruits), after Brazil and China.

Crop Rotation

• Orange (Citrus fruits) are perennial fruit crops with long orchard life.
• Orchards are maintained for 15–20 years, not rotated frequently like annual crops.
• Intercropping is possible in early 2–3 years with vegetables, pulses, or legumes.
• Leguminous crops (like groundnut, cowpea, or peas) enrich soil nitrogen around orchards.
• Cover crops improve soil fertility and reduce weeds.
• Mixed cropping with other horticultural crops can improve farmers’ income.
• Rotation helps in maintaining healthy soil biodiversity in orchard areas.

Climate Resilience

• Orange (Citrus fruits) grow well in tropical and subtropical climates.
• Optimum temperature: 15°C – 30°C.
• Withstands dry climate, but extreme frost damages flowers and fruits.
• Requires ample sunlight for high fruit sweetness.
• Sensitive to excessive rainfall and waterlogging.
• Can be grown in both lowlands and hilly regions.
• Their climate adaptability makes Orange (Citrus fruits) a reliable fruit worldwide.

Health Benefits

• Strengthens immune system with natural Vitamin C.
• Improves digestion due to fiber content.
• Helps control blood pressure with high potassium.
• Orange (Citrus fruits) consumption reduces risk of heart disease.
• Promotes skin health and lessens signs of aging.
• Refreshing fruit that prevents dehydration in summer.
• Daily consumption lowers risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity.

Key Features of Orange Cultivation

Climate and Soil Requirements

• Requires tropical to subtropical climate.
• Ideal temperature: 15–30°C.
• Annual rainfall: 75–250 cm, but avoid stagnation.
• Prefers deep, well-drained sandy loam to clay loam soil.
• pH: 5.5–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
• Waterlogged or saline soils are unsuitable.
• Warm and dry climates produce better fruit flavor.

Land Preparation

• Deep ploughing and leveling of land.
• Remove weeds, stones, and bushes.
• Dig pits of size 60 × 60 × 60 cm before planting.
• Fill pits with topsoil + FYM/compost + neem cake.
• Proper irrigation channels built for orchard drainage.
• Fence the orchard to protect from animals.

High-Yielding and Hybrid Seed Selection

• Use grafted budded plants from certified nurseries.
• Common hybrids: Nagpur Orange, Coorg Orange, Kinnow, Sathgudi.
• Select vigorous, disease-free planting materials.
• Seeds not recommended for large-scale planting (less uniform).
• Choose hybrids for high yield and market preference.

Seed Treatment

• Young plants are protected against fungal infections using fungicide treatments.
• Budded plants dipped in Bordeaux mixture or Carbendazim before planting.
• Bio-inoculants like Trichoderma improve root strength.
• Neem cake applied in pits for disease control.

Sowing and Planting Methods

• Best planting season: July–August (monsoon start).
• Square or triangular planting system at 4.5–6 m spacing.
• Grafted plants placed at the same depth as nursery soil.
• First 10–15 days, plants require shade and regular watering.
• Mulching used to conserve soil moisture.

Nutrient and Fertilizer Management

• Apply FYM: 10–15 kg per plant/year.
• Fertilizers: NPK doses based on tree age.
• Micronutrients (zinc, magnesium, iron) prevent leaf chlorosis.
• Foliar sprays during flowering and fruiting improve yield.
• Excess nitrogen results in poor fruit quality.

Irrigation and Water Management

• Regular irrigation needed during fruit setting.
• Young plants are irrigated every 7–10 days.
• Mature trees every 20–25 days (depending on season).
• Drip irrigation is ideal for oranges (citrus fruits).
• Avoid waterlogging as it promotes root rot.
• Stop irrigation one month before harvesting for better fruit sweetness.

Intercultural Operations

• Regular weeding at least 3–4 times a year.
• Mulching with dry leaves, the husk conserves moisture.
• Pruning for removing diseased/dry branches.
• Intercropping with short-duration crops in early 2 years.
• Earth up soil near the plant base for stability.

Pest Management

• Major pests: Citrus psylla, leaf miner, fruit flies, citrus blackfly.
• Use neem-based sprays or insecticides when needed.
• Yellow sticky traps for psylla control.
• Regular pruning of infested branches.
• Biological control with predatory insects like Cryptolaemus montrouzieri.

Disease Management

• Major diseases: Citrus canker, gummosis, powdery mildew, tristeza virus.
• Bordeaux mixture sprays are useful against fungal diseases.
• Resistant rootstocks reduce disease attack.
• Sanitation and removal of infected plants are essential.
• Avoid water stagnation to prevent root rot.

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management

• Bearing starts after 3–5 years of planting.
• Harvest when fruits turn bright orange-yellow in color.
• Hand-picking or clippers are used for harvesting.
• Avoid stacking fruits roughly to prevent skin damage.
• Wash and grade fruits as per market standards.
• Fruits stored under cool conditions (5–7°C) last longer.
• Pack in ventilated boxes or baskets for transport.