Acid Lime :

For raising seedlings freshly extracted seeds should be sown 2.5 cm X 7.5 cm apart on raised seed beds prepared from well pulverised and heavely manured soil with decayedleaf mold or well rotted cow dung. The seeds are sown in may-June or september-October and the seedlings will be ready for transplanting after 6-8 months of sowing in case of acid lime.

Sweet Orange :

For sathgudi orchards one year old, healthy and vigorously growing budlings have to be selected. Rangapur lime root-stock is recommended for sweet orange. the plants selected should be free from viruses, pests and diseases. Care should be taken at planting time to see that the bud-joint does not get into the soil. The plant should be staked immediately to avoid wind damage.
In the case of acidlime, pummelo and lemon gajanimma, or rangapur lime rootstock can be used.
Manures are applied in 2 to 3 equal doses, first dose in Dec-Jan, 2nd dose in June-July and third dose in September-October.

Inter Cropping :

During prebearing period short growing crops like groundnut, ragi, bajra, wheat and vegetables (except solanaceous crops) can be profitably grown in the interspaces.

Mulching

Application of dry leaf mulch or paddy husk to a thickness of 8 cm in the basin keeps down the weed growth and decreases the number of irrigations and improves fruit quality.

Irrigation

Young trees have to be regularly watered throughout the year during the dry season. Double ring system of irrigation and drip irrigation should be copted for advantage. A composit nutrient spray prepared and sprayed twice or thrice at 20-25 Days intervel commencing from the appearance of new flush will correct deficiences and increases the yield and quality of fruits. It is prepared as follows.

Zinc Sulphate		500 g
Copper Sulphate		280 g
Magnesium Sulphate		200 g
Ferrous Sulphate		200 g
Borax		100 g
Manganese Sulphate(Amorphouse)		200 g
Lime		900 g
Urea		1000 g
Water		100 lit.

Spacing

6 X 6m - Acidlime
6 X 8m - Sweet Orange

Mannur and Fertilizers :

Age of Plant		Sathgudi & Pummelo				Acid Lime & Lemon
		N	P205 gms	K20		N	P205 gms	K20
1 Year		300	70	80		375	150	200
2 Year		600	140	160		750	300	400
3 Year		900	210	240		1125	450	600
4th Year		1200	280	320		1500	600	800
5th Year & above		1500	350	400		1500	600	800

PLANT PROTECTION

Leaf Manor

the caterpillar mines into the leaves of young flush, showing glistening and zig zag mines on them. The affected leaves curl, deform and the plant appears sickly.

Control

Spraying of malathion 0.03% or dimethoate 0.03% or phosphomidan 0.03% twice at weekly intervals beginning with the production of flush.

Bark and Stem Borer

The caterpillar bores into stem and branches and forms long galleries of silk overlaid with small fragments of wood and frass. The larva comes out from this gallery and feeds on the bark.

Control

By pouring petrol in the holes and plugging with mud or injecting endusulphan 0.05% or dichlorvas 0.02% or Malathion 0.1%.

Fruit Sucking Moths

The moths pierce the ripening fruits and suck juice. The affected fruits rot and drop.

Control

Spraying dimethioate 0.03% Removal of alternate host and clean cultivation is important.

Aphids

The pests attacks the tender shoots as a result of which the shoots get curled and growth is reduced. They also transmit Tristeza virus which causes decline of citrus.

Control

Dimethoate or dimercron at 0.05% concentration will control the pest.

DISEASES

Quick decline or Dieback

decay of roots, die back of twigs, diminished fruit-set vein clearing in leaves and stem pittings are the symptoms of the tristeza virus.

Control

Tolerant rootstocks such as sweet orange, trifoliate orange, Rangapur lime have to be employed.

Greening Diseases

Leaf patterns include chlorosis resembling zinc deficiency and yellowing of veins. reduction in fruit size and die-back of twigs are also noticed.

Control

The insect vector should be controlled by spraying dimethoate. 0.03% The tree may be injected with 6-10ml of tetracycline hydrochloride.

Gummosis or Root Rot

The bark at the cellar region peels off allowing gum exudation.

Control

Well drained soils must be choosen for planting. Care must be taken to prevent irrigation water from coming in direct contact with the trunk. Boredeaux paste has to be painted upto 65 cms above the ground level at least once in a a year.

Ganoderma Root

numerous bracket like objects are produced at the base of the stem and also in the trunkto some height. The roots become weak and pliable. The entire plant wilts and dies in extreme cases.

Control

periodical collection and destruction of brackets of the fungus is advocated. The infected roots should be cut and protected by applying Bordeaux paste.

Leaf fall & Fruit rot

water soaked lesions develop on leaves and fruit resulting in their drop.

Control

Spraying of 0.1% Bordeaux mixture once before the beginning of monsoon and the other at the end of monsoon are suggested.

Canker

Corky out growths develop on the leaves, fruits and twigs. The disease is serious in acid lime.

Control

Severely infected twigs are to be pruned spraying neem cake(1 Kg. in 20 lit. of water) or Bordeaux mixture 1% controls the disease. Streptoacline sulphate is also effective in controlling the disease in combination with copper fungicides.

Powderly Mildew

White powdery growth is formed on the surface of the leaves

Control

2 to 3 spraying of 0.3% wettable sulphar or dusting with finely powdered sulphur at an interval of 20 days will control the diseases.

Control of fruit Drop: 2,4-D 10 ppm or NAA 20 ppm/(20 mg/lit) one at the time of flowering, the 2nd one month after fruit set and 3rd one month before harvest.

Yield : Bearing starts from 3rd year in acid lime and 5th year in sathgudi.

Sathgudi yields 1000 to 2000 fruits/tree/year.Whereas acid lime 3000 to 6000 fruits/tree/year.Sweet oranges are harvested from December to February (main harvest) Second from June to September and third one, if three is in March toJune.Acid limes are harvested throughout the year but mainly May to August (80%) January to August (14%) and Sept./Dec.(6%).

Storage : Sweet oranges can be preserved for longer period in cold storage at 0 to 2^oC and acid limes at 7 to 9^oC with a relative humidity of 85% to 90%.

USES

The Citrus Fruits are valued for the Vitamin ,C, and phosphorus content.Several delicious fruit products like refreshing drinks, pickles etc. are prepared. They are the main source of peel oil, citric acid, citrate of lime and cosmetics which have international market value.