What are the main steps involved in navel orange cultivation techniques?
Release date:
2023-12-07
The key steps involved in navel orange cultivation technology include:
When establishing the orchard, select an area with a ≥10° annual accumulated temperature of 4,500℃ to 6,500℃, an average annual temperature ranging from 15℃ to 19℃, a minimum temperature as low as -6.5℃, and a maximum temperature reaching up to 38℃. The region should also receive more than 1,000 mm of annual rainfall, with relative air humidity between 65% and 72%. Following the guidelines for constructing level terraces—specifically adhering to the "contour lines and winding mountain paths" approach—excavate trenches that are 1 meter deep and 1 meter wide. Apply 300 dan of organic fertilizer per mu at depth, then plant green manure crops before carefully backfilling in layers. Build stone walls along the terraces, ensuring each terrace is 3.5 to 4 meters wide, and install drainage ditches inside the terrace platforms to prevent waterlogging.
Hole Digging and Planting: Plant at a density of 600–750 trees per hectare, with optimal spacing between plants and rows set at 3.5–4 meters × 4 meters. The planting density should be adjusted to ensure convenient access for agricultural operations. Beforehand, dig planting holes measuring 80 cm in length, width, and depth. At the bottom of each hole, deeply incorporate a base fertilizer—primarily organic—in layers. When backfilling, start by adding a layer of weeds mixed with soil and compost at the bottom, followed by a mixture of topsoil and well-rotted farmyard manure for the middle and upper layers. Ensure that the top 30 cm remains free of any added material, creating a clean surface around the tree. Finally, shape the area into a tree basin that rises about 30 cm above the surrounding ground, ready for planting.
Soil Management: Implement soil improvement according to the criteria outlined above. Achieving a living soil layer thicker than 1 meter, with soil organic matter content ranging from 2.5% to 3%, soil porosity exceeding 10%, soil water-holding capacity reaching 60–80%, phosphorus levels between 0.15% and 0.25%, a pH range of 5.5 to 7, nitrogen content of 0.2% to 0.25%, and potassium content at 2%, will typically take 3 to 4 years of consistent practice to meet these standards.
Here are a few key points to keep in mind when growing navel oranges:
Timely weeding: During cultivation, regularly monitor the orchard for weed growth and promptly remove aggressive weeds such as bamboo grass and cocklebur.
Proper Fruit Retention: Every summer, navel oranges experience significant physiological fruit drop. Typically, navel oranges undergo two phases of physiological fruit shedding throughout their growing season. Moderate fruit drop is beneficial for tree development, but excessive shedding can negatively impact yield. To prevent over-fruiting drop, it’s essential to implement effective fruit retention practices—such as applying foliar fertilizers tailored to the tree’s specific needs and promptly removing summer shoots, which could otherwise compete with developing fruits for vital nutrients.
Timely Harvesting: The timing of navel orange harvest is also crucial, primarily determined by the intended use of the fruit. For instance, if the oranges are to be stored after harvesting, it’s best to pick them when about 90% of the fruit has already begun to color but remains firm—before softening occurs. Harvesting too early can hinder proper ripening, while picking too late may make the fruit unsuitable for immediate sale due to poor storage quality. Additionally, two weeks before harvest, reduce fertilizer and water applications entirely, switching instead to a drip irrigation system with small, gentle water droplets. Avoid harvesting on rainy days, and ensure you have proper harvesting techniques, as the method used can significantly impact how well the fruit stores later on.
Thin-skinned orange
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