Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
posits have shown that the coverage of spray materials on the leaf surfaces
of trellised and nontrellised high-density trees is better than on standard
trees. This, however, varies with the training system. For example, hori-
zontal canopies have reduced spray penetration compared to vertical ones
and consequently may have higher insect and disease damage. One of the
greatest advantages of dwarf trees is that the interior shaded areas of the
trees is greatly reduced on each tree, and with many more trees per hect-
are, light penetration and orchard efficiency are dramatically increased.
1.9
INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
Modern nutrient management practices rely on fine-tuning the applica-
tion of nutrients of satisfy specific needs of different tree organs at times
most beneficial from the standpoint of tree productivity and fruit quality.
An improved understanding of how tree nutrient reserves are built up and
mobilized leads to fertilizer practices that optimize yield and fruit qual-
ity while minimizing excessive vegetative growth. The use of different
rootstocks with various abilities to acquire nutrients from the soil is be-
ing explored to solve tree nutritional problems via genetic means rather
than fertilizer manipulations alone. A better understanding of the genetic
control of plant nutrient uptake and translocation on a molecular level will
open new frontiers for further improving the efficiency of mineral nutrient
acquisition and utilization with the use of less fertilizer. All these modern
approaches to plant nutrition are aimed at minimizing or eliminating the
environmental pollution that can potentially result from the use of fertil-
izers. In wake of the changing climatic scenario fertilizer practices will
increasingly be assessed by their overall impact on yield, quality of the
produce, soil health, and environment.
Accomplishments of the enhanced rate of productivity require that soil
quality be either enhanced or at least sustained at the present level. The
soil fertility can be managed in complete harmony with sustainable pro-
duction of the crops by careful analysis of soil and plant tissues. Sophisti-
cated instruments are available to do these analyzes rapidly and draw suit-
able inferences so that type of fertilizers and their quantity can be decided
accurately as per the need of the situation.
Land use pattern and soil management practices during crop produc-
tion over a period have large impact on soil health and whether the soil
