SYSTEM OF PLANTING

The system of planting to be adopted is selected after considering the slope of land, purpose of
utilizing the orchard space, convenience etc. Generally, six systems of planting are
recommended for fruit trees.

Square system

This system is considered to be the simplest of all the system and is adopted widely. In this
system, the plot is divided into squares and trees are planted at the four corners of the square, in
straight rows running at right angles. While laying out the plot a base line is first drawn parallel
to the road, fence or adjacent orchard, at a distance equal to half the spacing to be given between
the trees. Pegs are fixed on this line at the desired distances. At both ends of the base line right
angles are drawn by following the simple carpenter’s 3, 4, 5 meters system. After the formation
of three lines it is easy to fix all the other pegs to mark the tree locations in between the lines at
the required spacing by using ropes connecting the pegs of the lines in opposite directions.

Under this system, intercultural operations, spraying, harvesting etc., can be done conveniently
and easily. Planting of quick growing fruit trees like papaya, banana, guava during the early life
of the orchard is possible. Rising of inter-crops like vegetables, ginger, turmeric, cumin,
coriander and such other spices can be done conveniently cultivation and irrigation can be done
in two directions.
Rectangular system

In this system, the plot is divided into rectangles instead of squares and trees are planted at the
four corners of the rectangle in straight rows running at right angles. The same advantages which
have been mentioned in the square system are also enjoyed here. The only difference is that in
this system more plants can be accommodated in the row keeping more space between the rows.

Hexagonal system

In this system, the trees are planted at the corners of an equilateral triangle and thus, six trees
from a hexagon with the seventh tree at the centre. This system is generally followed where the
land is costly and very fertile with ample provision of irrigation water. Though 15 per cent more
trees can be planted in a unit area by this method over the square system, fruit growers usually
do not adopt it, as it is difficult to layout and cultivation in the plot cannot be done so easily as in
the square system.

For laying out the plot, a base line is drawn in one side as in the square system. Then an
equilateral triangle having rings at each corner and with sides equal to the length of the required
distance is made of heavy wire or chain. Two of these rings are then placed on the stakes of the
base line and the position of the third ring indicates the position of a tree in the second row. This
row is then used as the base line and pegs are set in the third row. In this way entire plot is laid
out.
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Quincunx system

This system of planting fruit trees is similar to square system, except that a fifth tree is planted at
the centre of each square. As a result the tree number in an unit area becomes almost double the
number in the square system. The additional tree in the centre is known as “filler”. The fillers are
usually quick growing, early maturing and erect type fruit trees like banana, papaya,
pomegranate, etc., which are removed as soon as the main fruit trees planted at the corner of the
square come into bearing. The planting of filler trees provides an additional income to the grower
in the early life of the orchard.

Contour system

It is generally followed on the hills with high slopes. It particularly suits to a land with undulated
topography, where there is greater danger of erosion and irrigation of the orchard is difficult. The
main purpose of this system is to minimize land erosion and to conserve soil moisture so as to
make the slope fit for growing fruits. So, the contour line is designed and graded in such a way
that the flow of water in the irrigation channel becomes slow and thus finds time to penetrate into
the soil without causing erosion.