Vol.
2 Issue-8, APRIL 2022 (e-ISSN: 2582-8223)
High Density Planting in Fruit Crops
Shahnawaz Ahmed1 and Jaspreet Kaur2
1*
Shahnawaz Ahmed, Assistant Professor,
RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh
2
Jaspreet Kaur, Research Scholar, SGGSWU, Fatehgarh Sahib
ARTICLE ID: 023
Introduction
HDP is one of the important methods to achieve high productivity per unit area both
in short duration and perennial horticultural crops. High Density Planting (HDP) is a very
intensive form of fruit production which has high relevance to the food and nutritional
security of our ever-increasing population (Anon. 2010). For efficient use of horizontal and
vertical space, HDP technologies have been developed in mango, citrus, papaya and guava.
Planting of fruit trees rather at a closer spacing than the recommended one using certain
special techniques with the sole objective of obtaining maximum productivity per unit area
without sacrificing quality is often referred as 'High density planting' or HDP. Recently, super
high-density planting system has been also established in apple orchards with a plant
population of 20,000 trees per ha (Usha et al 2015). The success of this technology in most of
the fruit crops is dependent on the use of methods to control shoot growth and maximize light
interception as the trees begin to bear fruit (Menzel and Lagadec, 2014). Plant density needs
to be designed to intercept and distribute the solar radiations effectively keeping in view the
climatic conditions, cultivar, planting system and management practices. It aims to achieve
the objective of enhanced productivity in both qualitative and quantitative aspects.
Principle of HDP
• To make the best use of vertical and horizontal space per unit time.
• Increased capture sunlight per unit area.
• To harness maximum possible returns per unit of inputs and resources.
• Land use efficiency.
• Appropriate vegetative reproductive balance of the plants.
High Density planting in fruit crops
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Vol.2 Issue-8, APRIL 2022 (e-ISSN: 2582-8223)
High density planting technique is a modern method of fruit cultivation involving of
fruit trees densely, allowing small or dwarf tree with modified canopy for better light
interception and distribution and ease of mechanized field operation. HDP gives higher yield
as well as return/ unit area. It is possible by regular pruning and use of bio regulators for
maintaining the size and shape of the tree. It is well known that the diversity in soil and
climate conditions in India permits growing of a large variety of Tropical, Subtropical and
Temperate fruits in different regions, due to which India is regard as a horticultural paradise.
In recent years, the concept of fruit production is undergoing a change where emphasis is
being given to higher production per unit area. High density planting system is the fastest
way of reducing the gestation period and increasing the productivity of the orchards. The
choice of the system of planting in the orchard depends on topography, crop variety, plant
density, production technology to be followed.
Spacing at different planting systems in fruit crops:
Sr. no. Crop Normal spacing (cm) HDP spacing (cm)
1. Mango 7.5×7.5 - 12.5×12.5 3×2.5 - 5×5
2. Banana 2×2 - 2×3 1.5×1.5 - 1.8×1.8
3. Citrus 6×6 - 8×8 3 - 6×3 - 4.5
4. Papaya 2×2 - 3×3 1.8×1.8
5. Guava 6×6 - 8×8 3×3 - 3×1.5
6. Sapota 10×10 5×5
7. Aonla 10×10 5×5
8. Apple 10×10 3×0.75
Components of HDP
HDP can be achieved with the suitable use of following components:
• Dwarf scion varieties
• Dwarf rootstocks and inter-stocks
• Training and pruning
• Use of growth regulators
Use of Dwarf scion varieties
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Crop Dwarf cultivar Desirable characters
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Vol.2 Issue-8, APRIL 2022 (e-ISSN: 2582-8223)
Banana Dwarf Cavendish Dwarf stature with high yield
Guava Pant Prabhat Less spreading and high yielder
Litchi Calcuttia, China Upright tree growth habit
Mango Amrapali, Arunika Precocious and regular bearer
Papaya Pusa Dwarf, Pusa Nanha Bears at lower height
Sapota PKM-1, PKM-3 Dwarf stature
Apple Red spur, Star Crimson Spur, Gold Spur, Well Bear on short stems, grow to
Spur, Oregon Spur, Silver Spur, Red Chief, 60-70 % the standard cultivar in
Hardi Spur vigour and bears more spurs
and yield more
Peach Red heaven, Candor Dwarfing and high yielding
Cherry Compact lambert Hihg yielding, self-fruitful
Meteor and North star Dwarf
Adopting dwarfing rootstocks and inter-stocks
Crop Dwarfing rootstocks
Ber Zizyphus rotundifolia, Z. Nummularia
Citrus Troyer citrange, Flying Dragon (Poncirustri foliata), Karna Khatta
Guava Psidium friedrchsthalianum, [Link], Pusa Srijan
Mango Vellai kullamban
Apple M9, M26, M27, Bud. 9, Bud. 146
Plum Pixy
Pear EM Quince A& C
Peach Siberian C, St Julien X, P. Besseyi and Rubria
Cherry Colt, Charger and Rubria
Sweet cherry Mahaleb, Colt, CAB 6-P, CAB -11E, F 12/1, GM-61/1, G-258, F-283, MM
1/5413, GM-9, GM-61
Almond Hansen-2168, GM-677, GF-556, Istara
Apricot Citation, Istara, Torinel, Myrobalan
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Training and Pruning system:
Crops Training Systems
Apple Espalier, Cordon, Spindle bush, Oblique palmette, Trellis, Vertical axis,
Slender spindle
Pear Lincoln canopy, Free standing tree, Pyramid, Spindle bush, Palmette, Tatura
trellis
Peach Tatura trellis, Central leader, Open centre, Modified leader, Pillar, Belgium
Fence, Hedgerow and Meadow
Plum Hedge row, Central leader, Open central, Tatura Trellis, Lincoln canopy,
Vase palmette.
Cherries Central leader, Free spindle, Tatura trellis
Apricot Free spindle, Bent canopy, Vase palmette, Kechement hedge and wedger
hedge.
Use of plant growth regulators
The lack of appropriate rootstocks for growth control in some fruit crops such as
cherry, plum and peach makes chemical growth regulation an attractive possibility in modern
orchard systems. Growth regulators such as daminozideethephon, chlormequat and
paclobutrazol have been used to reduce shoot growth by 1/3 to 1/2 (Steffinset al., 1983;
Miller, 1988). This was followed by increased flowering in the subsequent year and may be
useful in encouraging earlier commercial fruits production in strongly vegetative, sparingly
fruitful young trees (Volz and Knight, 1986; Miller, 1988). Paclobutrazol helps in reducing
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juvenile phase, checks vegetative growth and induces FBD and spur development.
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Vol.2 Issue-8, APRIL 2022 (e-ISSN: 2582-8223)
Estimated cost and return from traditional and high density planting in mango
Particular Traditional system High density
traditional varieties planting
Spacing (m x m) 10 x 10 2.5 x 2.5
No. of plants/ha 100 1,600
Cost of establishing orchard (Rs.) 35,000 75,000
Annual maintenance cost (Rs.) 25,000 40,000
Age of stable yield (year) 8 to 10 7 to 8
Production (kg/ha) 6,000 to 8,000 16,000 to 19,000
Sale of produce (whole sale) @ Rs. 9.0 per 54,000 to 72,000 1,44,000 to 1,71,000
kg
Net return (Rs.) 29,000 to 47,000 1,00,000 to 1,30,000
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Estimated cost and return from traditional and high density planting in Papaya
Traditional system High density
traditional varieties planting
Spacing (m x m) 2.4 x 2.4 1.25 x 1.25
No. of plants/ha 1,736 6,400
Cost of establishing orchard (Rs.) 40,000 75,000
Annual maintenance cost (Rs.) 25,000 50,000
Age of stable yield (year) 2 2
Production (kg/ha) 45,000 to 50,000 80,000 to 90,000
Sale of produce (whole sale) @ Rs. 9.0 per 2,25,000 to 2,50,000 4,00,000 to 4,50,000
kg
Net return (Rs.) 1,60,000 to 1,85,000 2,75,000 to 3,25,000
Estimated cost and return from traditional and high density planting in Guava
Particular Traditional system High density
Rootstock Allahabad Safeda PusaSrijan
Spacing (m x m) 6mx6m 3mx3m
No. of plants/ha 278 1,111
Cost of establishing orchard (Rs.) 35,000 50,000
Annual maintenance cost (Rs.) 20,000 40,000
Age of stable yield (year) 5 4
Production (kg/ha) 8,000 to 12,000 16,000 to 18,000
Sale of produce (whole sale) @ Rs. 9.0 per 64,000 to 96,000 128,000 to 1,44,000
kg
Net return (Rs.) 56,000 to 84,000 1,12,000 to 1,26,000
Conclusion
HDP and meadow orcharding gives higher yield as well as returns per unit area due to
increasing the number of tree/unit area. Generally, for successful high density plantings, the
package of different components viz., cultivars, rootstock, canopy management, floor
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management, irrigation and nutrition management, orchard planning and layout are to be
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adopted as per the available natural resources, agro-climatic and soil conditions and judicious
use of inputs. It is possible by regular pruning and use of bio regulators for maintaining the
size and shape of the tree. Mango planted at spacing of 5m x5m (Kesar and Alphonso) and
3m x 1m (Keit) gives higher yield under high density and meadow, respectively. Guava
planted at spacing 2.5m x2.5m and 3m x6m under HDP and 2m x 1m under meadow gives
higher production as well as more income in Allahabad Safeda and L-49. Citrus gives higher
production when planted at 6m x 3m spacing under HDP. For HDP in banana is planted at
1.0m x 1.2m spacing gives better yield in [Link]. So, the HDP is present need as per
increasing population and decreasing agricultural area.
References:
Anonymous (2010). HDP to improve agriculture productivity. The Dawn, August 15, 2010.
Menzel, C. M. and Lagadec, M. D. L. (2014). Increasing the productivity of avocado orchards
using high density plantings: A review. Sci Hort., 177: 21-36.
Miller S S. (1988). Use of plant bioregulators in apple and pear culture. Hort Rev. 10: 309-
401.
Okie W R. 1987. Plums rootstock for fruit crops. Eds R C Rom and R FCarlson John Willey
and Sons. Inc. pp 321-61.
Steffins G L, Yang S Y, Steffins C L and Brennan T. (1983). Influence of paclobutrazol
(PP333) on apple seedlings growth and physiology. Proc. 10th Ann. Meet. on Plant
Growth Regulat. Soc. Amer. p. 195-206.
Usha,K.,Thakre, M.,Goswami, A. K. and Nayan, D, G. (2015): Fundamental of Fruit
production, Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology, Indian Agricultural
Research Institute, New Delhi.
Volz R K and Knight J N. (1986). The use of growth regulators to increase precosity in apple
trees. J HortSci 61: 181-89.
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