AGRI Grovestudies
Section A
1a. 2n = 22
1b. 2n= 40
1c. Banana - Musa acuminate
Mango - Mangifera indica
Section B
2a. Planting distance of Banana and Mango plant :-
Banana plants:
For dwarf varieties, a spacing of 6 to 8 feet between plants is recommended.
For tall varieties, a spacing of 10 to 12 feet between plants is recommended.
For both types, a distance of 12 to 14 feet between rows is recommended.
Mango trees:
The spacing between mango trees depends on the variety of the tree and the expected size of the canopy.
For dwarf varieties, a spacing of 8 to 10 feet between trees is recommended.
For larger varieties, a spacing of 20 to 30 feet between trees is recommended.
A distance of 25 to 30 feet between rows is recommended.
2b. Two major diseases of mango and their control are:
Anthracnose: This is a fungal disease that affects mango trees, causing dark, sunken lesions on the fruit and leaves, leading to fruit rot and defoliation. It thrives in warm, humid weather and can spread rapidly.
Control:
Regular pruning of the mango tree to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration can help reduce humidity levels and prevent the spread of anthracnose.
Fungicides such as copper-based sprays and azoxystrobin can be applied to protect the mango tree from anthracnose.
Harvesting the fruit before it becomes too ripe and handling it with care can also help prevent the spread of anthracnose.
Powdery mildew: This is a fungal disease that affects mango trees, causing white or gray powdery spots on leaves, shoots, and fruit. It can reduce the tree's photosynthetic capacity and fruit yield.
Control:
Keeping the mango tree healthy and properly fertilized can help it resist powdery mildew.
Removing and disposing of infected plant parts and debris can prevent the disease from spreading.
Fungicides such as sulfur and triadimefon can be applied to control powdery mildew on mango trees.
2c. Two major diseases of banana are Panama disease and Black Sigatoka. Here are their controls:
Panama disease: This is caused by a fungus called Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense. It affects the vascular system of the banana plant, causing wilting and eventually killing the plant.
Control measures:
Use disease-free planting material.
Rotate banana crops with non-host crops such as corn, legumes, or grasses.
Avoid planting bananas in areas where Panama disease has previously occurred.
Practice good sanitation by removing and destroying infected plant debris.
Apply fungicides registered for use on bananas.
Black Sigatoka: This is caused by a fungus called Mycosphaerella fijiensis. It affects the leaves of the banana plant, causing yellowing and eventually defoliation.
Control measures:
Use disease-resistant banana varieties.
Remove and destroy infected leaves.
Apply fungicides registered for use on bananas.
Plant bananas in areas with good air circulation and sunlight to reduce humidity levels.
Avoid overhead irrigation and water at the base of the plant.
2d. Fruit and plantation crops play a significant role in agriculture and the economy of many countries. Here are some of the importance and scope of these crops:
Food security: Fruit and plantation crops provide a significant source of food for human consumption. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients needed for a healthy diet.
Economic importance: Fruit and plantation crops are an important source of income for farmers and exporters. They are high-value crops that can generate substantial revenue through domestic and international markets.
Employment: The cultivation, processing, and marketing of fruit and plantation crops provide employment opportunities for millions of people worldwide.
Environmental benefits: Planting fruit and plantation crops can help prevent soil erosion, improve soil fertility, and contribute to the conservation of natural resources. These crops also provide shade, which helps reduce temperature and evapotranspiration rates.
Cultural significance: Many fruit and plantation crops have cultural significance in various communities and are often used in traditional dishes and celebrations.
The scope of fruit and plantation crops is broad and includes a wide range of crops, such as bananas, citrus, mangoes, pineapples, coffee, tea, and cocoa. These crops are grown in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, and their cultivation requires specialized knowledge and skills. Advances in research and technology have led to the development of new varieties, improved management practices, and more efficient processing and marketing systems.
Section C
3a. Mango is a tropical fruit tree with a variety of cultivars that differ in growth habit, fruit size, color, and flavor. Here are some common cultivars of mango based on their growth habit:
Indeterminate cultivars: These cultivars have a continuous growth habit, producing vegetative and flowering shoots throughout the growing season. Examples include Tommy Atkins, Haden, and Kent.
Determinate cultivars: These cultivars have a more compact growth habit, producing most of their vegetative and flowering shoots early in the growing season. Examples include Keitt, Ataulfo, and Julie.
Semi-determinate cultivars: These cultivars have a mix of both indeterminate and determinate growth habits, producing both vegetative and flowering shoots throughout the growing season but with a more compact growth habit. Examples include Valencia Pride and Irwin.
Fertilizer requirements:
Mango trees have high nutrient requirements, especially during the first few years of growth. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are essential nutrients for mango trees. Fertilizer should be applied based on soil and leaf analysis results, with regular applications of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in appropriate amounts.
Weed management:
Weed management is essential to prevent competition for nutrients, water, and light. Hand weeding and mechanical cultivation are effective methods for controlling weeds in mango orchards. Mulching can also help suppress weed growth and improve soil moisture retention.
Irrigation:
Mango trees require regular irrigation, especially during the dry season. Irrigation methods such as drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, or basin irrigation can be used based on the availability of water and the soil type. Soil moisture monitoring is important to ensure that the trees receive adequate water.
3b. Banana is a widely cultivated fruit crop, and its production technology involves several critical factors that affect its growth, yield, and quality. Here is a brief overview of the production technology of bananas:
Soil and climate:
Bananas grow best in well-drained, fertile soils with a pH of 5.5-7.5. The ideal climate for banana production is warm and humid, with temperatures ranging between 25-30°C and an annual rainfall of 1200-2500 mm.
Irrigation:
Bananas require frequent and adequate irrigation to maintain optimal soil moisture levels. Drip irrigation is the most efficient method of irrigation for banana cultivation, as it minimizes water loss and nutrient leaching.
Nursery raising:
Banana plants are typically propagated through suckers or tissue culture plants. Suckers are small plants that grow from the base of the parent plant, while tissue culture plants are produced in a laboratory using plant tissue. The plants are grown in a nursery for 4-5 months before being transplanted to the field.
Manure and fertilizer:
Bananas require regular applications of organic and inorganic fertilizers to maintain optimal growth and yield. Organic manure such as farmyard manure and compost can be applied before planting. Inorganic fertilizers can be applied in split doses, with a higher amount of nitrogen applied during the vegetative stage and a higher amount of potassium during the fruiting stage.
Harvesting and yield:
Bananas are typically harvested when the fruit reaches full size but is still green. The fruit is harvested by cutting the bunch with a sharp knife or machete. The yield of bananas varies depending on the cultivar, soil, climate, and management practices. The average yield of bananas is 25-30 tons per hectare, but yields can range from 10-60 tons per hectare.
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| Prayagraj |
4a. Rootstock is a term used in horticulture to refer to the root portion of a plant that has been grafted onto another plant's stem or shoot. In other words, the rootstock is the lower portion of a grafted plant that forms the roots and provides the foundation for the plant's growth.
Rootstocks are commonly used in fruit tree production to improve tree vigor, disease resistance, and tolerance to adverse soil and environmental conditions. By grafting a desirable scion (the top portion of the plant that produces the fruit) onto a compatible rootstock, growers can combine the desirable traits of the scion with the beneficial characteristics of the rootstock.
Rootstocks are typically selected based on their genetic compatibility with the scion, their tolerance to pests and diseases, their adaptability to specific soil conditions, and their ability to impart desirable growth characteristics such as dwarfing or precocity. Some common examples of fruit tree rootstocks include Malling-Merton series for apple trees, Lovell and Nemaguard for peach trees, and Citrange for citrus trees.
In summary, a rootstock is the lower portion of a grafted plant that forms the roots and provides the foundation for the plant's growth, and it is an essential component of modern fruit tree production.
4b. Propagation is the process of reproducing plants, either sexually or asexually, in order to create new individuals. Plant propagation is a common practice in horticulture, agriculture, and forestry, as it allows growers to produce large numbers of plants with desirable characteristics.
Sexual propagation involves the use of seeds to produce new plants. This method is commonly used in the production of annual crops, such as vegetables and grains, as well as some perennial crops, such as fruit trees and ornamental plants. Sexual propagation involves pollination, fertilization, and seed development, and it typically results in offspring with a combination of traits from both parents.
Asexual propagation, on the other hand, involves the use of vegetative structures, such as stems, leaves, roots, or buds, to produce new plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant. This method is commonly used in the propagation of many fruit crops, such as grapes, bananas, and citrus, as well as ornamental plants, such as roses and chrysanthemums. Asexual propagation can be achieved through several methods, including cuttings, layering, division, and grafting.
Propagation is an important technique in plant breeding, as it allows breeders to produce large numbers of plants with desirable traits, such as disease resistance, fruit quality, and yield. Propagation is also important in the commercial production of plants, as it allows growers to produce high-quality plants that are uniform and consistent in growth and appearance.
