Citrus

Climate and soil

Kagzi lime and Sweet orange grow well in tropical climates with 750 mm of moderate rainfall and no high winds. They may be cultivated effectively even at altitudes of 900 metres above mean sea level. Its cultivation is said to be best suited to loamy, well-drained soil that is consistent in texture and depth up to 2-3 metres and has adequate fertility. Ideal pH 6.5-7.5

Land Preparation
Land should be adequately levelled, cross-ploughed, and ploughed. In mountainous locations, planting is done on terraces up against hills. In such places, high density planting is also feasible.
Seed rate and spacing
Maintaining a minimum plant density of 210-250/acre is important. Plants should be spaced 4.5x4.5 metres apart. To sow seedlings, 60x60x60cm pits should be dug. While planting, apply 500g of single superphosphate and 10Kg of farmyard manure to the pits.
Crop nutrition management
Crop nutrition management
Irrigation Management
Regular irrigation is needed for lemon plants. In both the winter and the summer, irrigation is very important. Flowering, fruiting, and healthy plant development all depend on irrigation. Diseases like Root Rot and Collar Rot can also result from over-irrigation. It is advantageous to irrigate often.
Weed management
Pre-emergence weedicides like diuron (3 kg/ha), simazine (4 kg/ha), glyphosate (4 l/ha), paraquat (2 l/ha), etc. may also be used to chemically manage weeds.
Harvesting and post-harvest management

When the fruits reach the ideal size, shape, and colour, they are ready for harvest. Mandarins and sweet oranges typically reach maturity between 240 and 280 days after planting. Fruits that have reached the colour break stage are picked up every 2 or 3 days for 10 to 14 days. Lemons and limes mature around 150–160 days. Harvest at the right time; harvesting too early or too late can result in poor quality.

Intercultural operation

Shoots within 50–60 cm of the ground should be cut off to allow the plant's trunk to grow properly. Plant's centre is supposed to be open. During early development phases are when water suckers should be eliminated. 

For the aeration and health of the soil, inter-culture operations such as weed management, basin spading, and ploughing are crucial. Pre-emergence weedicides like diuron (3 kg/ha), simazine (4 kg/ha), glyphosate (4 l/ha), paraquat (2 l/ha), etc. may also be used to chemically manage weeds.

Insect pest management

Citrus aphids Black aphid:

  1. Put a yellow sticky trap to use for pest management.
  2. It is advised to spray 2ml per lit of methyl demeton (Metasystox) or dimethoate (Rogar).
  3. Use some syrphid flies and concinellid beetles.

Citrus thrips:

  1. Gather and eliminate the damaged plant materials.
  2. It is recommended to use systemic pesticides during flush growth times.
  3. It is advised to use carbaryl 0.1% or malathion 0.05% as a spray.
  4.  Promote the activities of natural enemies like syrphids and Chrysopid.  

Cottony cushion scale:

  1. Before spring, in the late winter, spray dormant oil.
  2. If necessary, use horticultural oil all year round.
  3. Apply a concoction of molasses, citrus oil, and compost tea made from manure.
  4. This bug is often kept under control by natural predators.
  5. It is advised to release Australian ladybirds into the wild. 

Citrus psyllid: Diaphorina citri

  1. Gather and eliminate the damaged plant materials.
  2. It is recommended to use systemic pesticides during flush growth times.
  3. Spray of carbaryl 0.1% or malathion 0.05% is advised.
  4. Promote the actions of natural enemies like Chrysopids and Syrphids.

Citrus leaf miner: Phyllocnistic citrella 

  1. It is advised to spray Fenvalerate 0.2ml or Dimethoate [Rogor] 2ml/l.
  2. It is best to apply NSKE 5% by spray.

 Mealy bug: Planoccus citri

  1. Gather and discard the damaged stems, twigs, and leaves.
  2. Use a 5 cm long sticky trap on fruit-bearing stalks.
  3. Spray 25g/lit of fish oil rosin soap and 0.2% dichlorvos.
  4.  Apply chlorpyriphos soil treatment close to the tree trunk.
  5. Spraying chlorpyriphos, methomyl, or acephate on trees is recommended.
  6. Cryptoleamus montrouizeri, an Australian lady bird beetle, should be released in the field at a rate of 10 per tree.

 Citrus butterfly: Papilio demolious, P. Polytes, P.helenus

  1. Pick the larvae up by hand and dispose of them.
  2. Spraying 1ml of Dichlorvos is advised during the first instar stage.
Plant diseases management

Gummosis

  1. During cultural procedures, it is best to avoid hurting the crown roots or the stem's base.
  2. Remove the diseased bark with a knife along with 1/2" of uninfected bark if the lesion has only girdled less than half the girth.
  3. Bordeaux paste should be applied to the trunk's bark.

 Scab/Verucosis

  1. It is advised to spray with Carbendazim 0.1%.

 Canker

  1. Streptomycin sulfate 500–1000 ppm or phytomycin 2500 ppm, or copper oxychloride 0.2% should be applied every two weeks.
  2. When the young flush is formed, control leaf miners.
  3. Before the start of the rainy season, prune seriously affected twigs.

Tristeza or quick decline

  1. Avoid rootstocks that are susceptible for mandarin and sweet orange.
  2. Use pre-immunized seedlings of a mild strain of Tristeza for acid lime.

Greening

  1. Use insecticides to manage the vector psyllids.
  2. For propagation, use bud wood devoid of pathogens.
  3. Tetracycline spray, 500 ppm, is to be used every two weeks.