LOQUAT

In India mainly it is known as Lukat or Lugath. It is an evergreen and subtropical fruit tree. It attains the height of 5-6m and is spreading in nature. The fruit is native to central-eastern China and is mainly grown in Taiwan, Korea, China and Japan countries. In India loquat farming is done in Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam and Uttar Pradesh states. It also has health benefits such as it helps to improve skin health and eye vision, helps in weight loss, maintains blood pressure and increases blood. It also helps in strengthening of teeth and bones.

In Himachal Pradesh, it is grown in the area at the height of above 1200m. The fruit is resistant to fog.
 

Loquat requires sandy loam soil which is rich in organic matter and has a good drainage system.

Golden Yellow: Medium sized fruits, yellow color flesh, 4-5 seeds, variety matures in Mid-March.

Pale Yellow: Large sized fruits, white flesh, sour in taste, 3-4 large seeds, ripens in end-March.

California Advance: Medium sized fruits, cream color flesh, sour in taste, 2-3 large seeds, ripens in mid-April. 

Other state varieties:

Early varieties: Pale Yellow, Golden Yellow, Improved Golden Yellow, Thames Pride and Large Round.

Mid-season varieties: Mammoth, Improved Pale Yellow, Safeda, Fire Ball, Matchless and Large Agra.

Late season varieties: California Advance and Tanaka.
 

For loquat farming, the well prepared land is required. To bring the soil to a fine tilth, leveling is required followed by 2-3 deep ploughing.

Time of sowing:
June-September month is an optimum time for sowing.

Spacing:
Use plant to plant spacing of 6-7m.

Sowing depth:
1m deep planting is done.

Method of sowing:
Propagation method is used.
 

Seed rate:
Use 95-96 plants per acre.

Seed treatment:
Treatment of smooth and old-ringed shoots is done with NAA@3% and IBA 250ppm is done.

Air-layering method is used for propagation. Budded or grafted plants are preferred for planting as they are early fruit bearers.

Fertilizer Requirement (gm/plant)

Apply cow dung manure in December month and rest manure is added in two equal splits, the first dose is added in September-October month and rest of the half dose is added in February-March month.

Irrigation is given depending upon soil and weather conditions. Mainly 3-4 irrigations are required at the time of harvesting.

• Pest and their control:
  

Leaf roller caterpillar: The leaf roller will affect the crop by rolling the leaves. 

Treatment: To control leaf roller caterpillar spray with quinalphos@400ml in 150 ltr water per acre.

 

Aphids: Adult and nymphs, both suck the sap thus weaken the plant. In severe infestation, they cause curling and deformation of young leaves. They secrete honey dew like substance and Sooty, black mould is developed on affected parts.

Treatment: To control aphids spray with Dimethoate@300ml in 150 ltr water per acre.

Fruit fly: Females lay eggs below the epidermis of young fruits. Later on, maggots feed on pulp afterward fruits starts rotting and get drop.

Treatment: To control leaf roller caterpillar spray with quinalphos@400ml or Monocrotophos in 150 ltr water per acre.

• Disease and their control:
  

Black spot: It is a disease caused by fungus. The symptoms are black color sunken spots seen on leaves.

Treatment: If infection of disease is observed spray with Carbendazim@4gm/Ltr or Copper Oxychloride@3gm/Ltr or Mancozeb@3gm/Ltr of water.
 
 

Mainly plant starts bearing fruits in the third year of the plantation and maximum yield starts from 15th year. Harvesting is done when fruits get fully matured with the help of a sharp instrument. After harvesting, grading is done. It gives an average yield of 6-8qtl/acre.