Loquat Fruit Farming india

Loquat fruit, also known as Japanese plum, is a subtropical and evergreen fruit that belongs to the family Rosaceae and genus Eriobotrya. It is native to China and Japan, but has been introduced in India as well. Loquat fruit has a yellow-red skin and a whitish to deep orange pulp that tastes sweet and sour with a good flavour. Loquat fruit is rich in vitamin A, fiber, carbohydrates and minerals, and has various health benefits such as improving skin health, eye vision, blood pressure and bone strength.

Loquat fruit farming is mainly done in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra in India. Loquat fruit farming requires a warm and dry climate at the time of ripening, and is sensitive to frost and waterlogging. Loquat fruit farming also requires deep, well-drained, sandy loam soils rich in organic matter. Loquat fruit can be propagated by air-laying, budding or grafting methods. Loquat fruit can be harvested from March to May in India, depending on the variety. Loquat fruit can be consumed fresh or processed into jam, jelly or squash.

Cultivation of Loquat

In this article, we will discuss the details of loquat fruit farming in India, including the soil conditions, weather requirements, water and irrigation, maintenance, profitability, marketing and distribution of fruits.

Soil Conditions

Loquat fruit farming requires deep, well-drained, sandy loam soils rich in organic matter. The soil pH should be between 5.5 and 7.0 for optimal growth and yield of loquat fruits. The soil should also have good aeration and drainage to avoid waterlogging and root rot. Loquat fruits can tolerate salinity and alkalinity to some extent, but prefer slightly acidic soils.

The soil should be prepared by ploughing 2 or 3 times to make it weed free and levelled. Adequate farm yard manure (FYM) should be supplemented while preparing the land to enrich the soil nutrition. The FYM should be well decomposed and free from weed seeds. The FYM should be applied at the rate of 20 to 25 tonnes per hectare before ploughing.

Weather Requirements

Loquat fruit farming requires a warm and dry climate at the time of ripening. The optimum temperature range for loquat fruit farming is between 15°C and 30°C. Loquat fruits are very sensitive to frost conditions as well as sun burning. The cultivation of loquat fruits may be difficult in regions where summer sets early along with hot winds.

Loquat fruit farming also requires well distributed rainfall of 100 cm throughout the year. However, excess rainfall during flowering and fruiting may cause flower drop, fruit cracking and fungal diseases. Therefore, irrigation should be regulated according to the soil moisture and weather conditions.

Water and Irrigation

Loquat fruit farming requires adequate water supply for proper growth and development of fruits. However, overwatering or waterlogging may cause root rot and reduce the yield and quality of fruits. Therefore, irrigation should be applied according to the soil moisture and weather conditions.
The frequency and amount of irrigation depends on the soil type, climate, stage of growth and variety of loquat fruits. Generally, loquat fruits require more water during flowering and fruiting stages than during vegetative growth stage. The irrigation interval may vary from 10 to 15 days during summer to 20 to 25 days during winter.

The irrigation method should be such that it provides uniform distribution of water without causing erosion or runoff. Drip irrigation or micro sprinkler irrigation are preferred methods for loquat fruit farming as they save water and prevent weed growth.

Maintenance

Loquat fruit farming requires regular maintenance practices such as pruning, weeding, fertilizing, pest and disease control etc.

Pruning

Pruning is an important practice for loquat fruit farming as it helps in maintaining the shape and size of the tree, improving light penetration and air circulation, removing diseased or dead branches, enhancing flowering and fruiting etc.

Pruning should be done after harvesting or before new growth starts in spring. Pruning should be done carefully to avoid injuring the tree or exposing it to sunburn or frost damage. Pruning should be done with sharp and sterilized tools to prevent infection.

The pruning intensity depends on the age, size and variety of loquat tree. Generally, young trees require light pruning to establish a strong framework of branches. Mature trees require moderate pruning to remove weak or crowded branches and maintain a balanced shape. Old trees require heavy pruning to rejuvenate them and increase their productivity.

Weeding

Weeding is another important practice for loquat fruit farming as it helps in reducing the competition for nutrients, water and space between the tree and weeds. Weeding also helps in preventing pest and disease infestation by removing host plants for insects or fungi.

Weeding should be done regularly throughout the year to keep the orchard clean and tidy. Weeding can be done manually by hand hoeing or mechanically by using cultivators or mowers. Weeding can also be done by applying mulch around the tree base to suppress weed growth and conserve soil moisture.
Mulching can be done by using organic materials such as straw, grass clippings, leaves etc. Mulching should be done after weeding and before irrigation to avoid rotting of mulch materials.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing is another important practice for loquat fruit farming as it helps in providing adequate nutrients for the growth and development of fruits. Fertilizing also helps in improving the soil fertility and structure.
Fertilizing should be done according to the soil test results and nutrient requirements of loquat fruits. Generally, loquat fruits require nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) as major nutrients along with some micronutrients such as zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) etc.

Fertilizing can be done by applying organic manures such as FYM or compost or vermicompost or green manures etc. Fertilizing can also be done by applying chemical fertilizers such as urea or diammonium phosphate (DAP) or muriate of potash (MOP) etc.

Fertilizing should be done in split doses at different stages of growth such as before flowering, after fruit set etc. Fertilizing should be done by broadcasting or banding or side dressing or foliar spraying methods depending on the type of fertilizer used.

The fertilizer dose depends on the age, size and variety of loquat tree as well as soil fertility status. Generally,

Age (years)N (kg/ha)P (kg/ha)K (kg/ha)
1-350-7525-5025-50
4-6100-15050-7550-75
7-10150-20075-10075-100
>10200-250100-125100-125

Pest and Disease Control

Pest and disease control is another important practice for loquat fruit farming as it helps in protecting the tree from insect or fungal attacks that may reduce the yield and quality of fruits.

Pest and disease control should be done by adopting integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that involve cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods.

Some of the common pests that attack loquat fruits are leaf roller caterpillar, aphids, fruit fly, mealybugs, scale insects, mites etc. Some of the common diseases that affect loquat fruits are anthracnose, scab, powdery mildew, brown rot, gummosis etc.

Pest control can be done by using cultural methods such as removing infested plant parts, pruning, weeding, mulching etc. Pest control can also be done by using mechanical methods such as trapping, hand picking, netting etc. Pest control can also be done by using biological methods such as introducing natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids, pathogens etc. Pest control can also be done by using chemical methods such as spraying insecticides, acaricides, nematicides etc.

Disease control can be done by using cultural methods such as selecting resistant varieties, avoiding overhead irrigation, maintaining proper spacing etc. Disease control can also be done by using mechanical methods such as removing infected plant parts, burning them etc. Disease control can also be done by using biological methods such as applying biocontrol agents such as bacteria, fungi, viruses etc. Disease control can also be done by using chemical methods such as spraying fungicides, bactericides etc.

Pest and disease control should be done by following the recommended dosage and precautions of the pesticides or biopesticides used. Pest and disease control should also be done by rotating the pesticides or biopesticides used to avoid resistance development.

Profitability

Loquat fruit farming is a profitable venture in India due to its high demand in domestic as well as export markets. Loquat fruits have a good shelf life and transportability which makes them suitable for marketing. 

Marketing and Distribution of Fruits

Loquat fruits can be marketed and distributed in various ways depending on the target market, demand, supply, quality and price of fruits.

Some of the common ways of marketing and distributing loquat fruits are:

  • Local market: Loquat fruits can be sold directly to the consumers in the local market such as nearby villages, towns or cities. This is the simplest and cheapest way of marketing loquat fruits as it involves less transportation and packaging costs. However, this way may not fetch a high price for loquat fruits as there may be more competition and less demand in the local market.
  • Wholesale market: Loquat fruits can be sold to the wholesalers or middlemen in the wholesale market such as mandis or auction centers. This way may fetch a higher price for loquat fruits as there may be more demand and less supply in the wholesale market. However, this way may involve more transportation and packaging costs as well as commission or brokerage fees to the wholesalers or middlemen.
  • Retail market: Loquat fruits can be sold to the retailers or shopkeepers in the retail market such as supermarkets, malls, hotels, restaurants etc. This way may fetch the highest price for loquat fruits as there may be less competition and more demand in the retail market. However, this way may involve the highest transportation and packaging costs as well as quality standards and grading requirements to meet the expectations of the retailers or consumers.
  • Processing industry: Loquat fruits can be sold to the processing industry such as jam, jelly or squash manufacturers. This way may provide a stable and assured income for loquat fruit farmers as there may be a constant demand and supply in the processing industry. However, this way may fetch a lower price for loquat fruits as there may be more quality loss and wastage in the processing industry.
  • Export market: Loquat fruits can be exported to foreign countries such as USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan etc. This way may fetch a premium price for loquat fruits as there may be less competition and more demand in the export market. However, this way may involve the highest transportation and packaging costs as well as export regulations and standards to meet the requirements of the importing countries.

The choice of marketing and distribution channel for loquat fruits depends on various factors such as:

  • Quantity: The quantity of loquat fruits produced determines the scale and scope of marketing and distribution. Larger quantities of loquat fruits may require more sophisticated and expensive marketing and distribution channels such as wholesale or export markets. Smaller quantities of loquat fruits may require simpler and cheaper marketing and distribution channels such as local or retail markets.
  • Quality: The quality of loquat fruits determines the value and demand of marketing and distribution. Higher quality of loquat fruits may fetch higher prices and demand in marketing and distribution channels such as retail or export markets. Lower quality of loquat fruits may fetch lower prices and demand in marketing and distribution channels such as local or processing markets.
  • Price: The price of loquat fruits determines the profitability and feasibility of marketing and distribution. Higher prices of loquat fruits may increase the profitability and feasibility of marketing and distribution channels such as export or retail markets. Lower prices of loquat fruits may decrease the profitability and feasibility of marketing and distribution channels such as local or processing markets.
  • Demand: The demand of loquat fruits determines the opportunity and risk of marketing and distribution. Higher demand of loquat fruits may create more opportunity and less risk of marketing and distribution channels such as export or retail markets. Lower demand of loquat fruits may create less opportunity and more risk of marketing and distribution channels such as local or processing markets.
  • Supply: The supply of loquat fruits determines the competition and bargaining power of marketing and distribution. Higher supply of loquat fruits may increase the competition and decrease the bargaining power of marketing and distribution channels such as local or wholesale markets. Lower supply of loquat fruits may decrease the competition and increase the bargaining power of marketing and distribution channels such as export or retail markets.

The following table summarizes some of the advantages and disadvantages of different marketing and distribution channels for loquat fruits:

ChannelAdvantagesDisadvantages
Local marketSimple, cheap, directLow price, high competition, low demand
Wholesale marketHigh price, high demand, low supplyHigh cost, commission, brokerage
Retail marketHighest price, highest demand, lowest competitionHighest cost, quality standards, grading
Processing industryStable income, constant demandLow price, quality loss, wastage
Export marketPremium price, low competition, high demandHighest cost, export regulations, standards

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