Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
shape, planned pruning and need for machinery. Planting layouts between
trees can be square (Fig. 3.4a), rectangular (Fig. 3.4b), an equilateral triangle
or hexagonal system (Fig. 3.4c) or some other combination, including extra
or temporary plants to increase returns during the initial juvenile years (Fig.
3.4d, e and f). If a rectangle layout is used (Fig. 3.4b), the trees will form this
geometric fi gure; the longer side will correspond with the distance between
tree rows and the shorter side will be the distance between trees in the row. In
the square arrangement (Fig. 3.4a), the distances in both directions will be the
same, and in the equilateral triangle normally a plant will be planted in each
angle, forming triangles or a hexagon that has a plant in its centre (Fig 3.4c),
and this gives 15% more plants per area than the square system while leaving
the same distance between trees.
The rectangular layout is used when bulky machinery has to enter the
fi eld, although in the square layout this can also be done in the initial years
also. Sometimes a square pattern can be used and every few rows a wider
row is included in the layout. The wider row is left to allow movement of
machinery. The location of the wider row will depend upon the length of hoses
or how far the sprayers can reach and the distance you need to move harvest
bins or boxes to facilitate fruit collection. Between-plant distances are shorter
for plantains, bananas and papayas, and in hilly conditions where heavy or
bulky machinery will not be used, normally a square or, better, a triangular
arrangement should be used. The distance between trees will be the same in
the square and equilateral triangle arrangement, with the latter resulting in
more plants per unit area.
To maximize early income, the quincunx (Fig. 3.4d) and other systems
are used. The quincunx consists of a square arrangement with a temporary
or extra plant at the centre of each square. This arrangement almost doubles
the number of plants per unit area and allows higher production during the
initial years. Another intensive initial planting system consists of planting a
temporary plant in the space between the permanent plants in the row (Fig.
3.4e); this will duplicate the initial number of plants. An even more intensive
initial planting system consists of planting three temporary plants for each
permanent plant. This intensive planting has an extra row of temporary plants
between two permanent plant rows and an extra temporary plant in all the
spaces between the plants in the rows, even in the temporary rows (Fig. 3.4f).
As the trees start maturing and yield increases, the extra trees are pruned and
later removed. This system is not recommended for all crops or all growers.
PLANTING DISTANCES
Planting distances will be determined by many factors, the most important
being the species. Tree size and shape can vary from large trees like mango
to small plants like papaya or banana. The variety can play a signifi cant role,
