Commercial orange farming is not a new business idea. It’s a commonagribusinessthroughout the world. And people are growing this fruit for making profits from the ancient time.
The orange actually is the fruit of various citrus species in the family Rutaceae (it primarily refers to Citrus × sinensis) which is also called sweet orange, to distinguish it from the related related Citrus × aurantium, referred to as bitter orange.
The orange is actually a hybrid between pomelo and mandarin. The chloroplast genome, and therefore the maternal line, is that of pomelo. The sweet orange has had its full genome sequenced.[1]
The orange originated in a region encompassing Southern China, Northeast India and Myanmar. As of 1987, orange trees were found to be the most cultivated fruit tree in the world.
Orange trees are generally grown widely in tropical and subtropical climates for their sweet fruits.
You can enjoy fresh orange or processed for it’s juice or fragrant peel. As of 2012, sweet oranges accounted for approximately 70% of citrus production.
In the year of 2019, around 79 million tonnes of oranges were grown worldwide, with Brazil producing about 22% of the total, followed byChinaandIndia.
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Orange Nutrition & Health Benefits
Oranges are among the world’s most popular and common fruits. They are a healthy source of vitamin C, fiber, thiamine, folate and antioxidants.
And regular consumption of oranges has many health benefits. Here we are trying to describe more about nutrition value and health benefits of oranges.
Nutritional Value of Oranges
Orange flesh is around 1% protein, 12% carbohydrates, 87% water and contains negligible amount of fat. 100 grams orange flesh provides 47 calories, and is a rich source of vitamin C, providing 64% of the DV (daily value).
Oranges contain diverse phytochemicals, including carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein and beta-cryptoxanthin), flavonoids (e.g. naringenin) and numerous volatile organic compounds producing orange aroma, including aldehydes, esters, terpenes, alcohols, and ketones.
According tohealthline, 100 grams orange flesh provides:
- 卡洛ries: 47
- 水:87%
- Protein: 0.9 grams
- Carbs: 11.8 grams
- Sugar: 9.4 grams
- Fiber: 2.4 grams
- Fat: 0.1 grams
Oranges are mainly made up of carbs and water, and are also a great source of fiber, protein, minerals and vitamins. They are also a good source of fiber, which may support digestive health.
Health Benefits of Consuming Oranges
Oranges are great for human health. There are numerous health benefits of regular consumption of oranges. Here we are trying to describe the top health benefits of consuming oranges.
- Oranges are good source of carbs, fiber, protein, minerals and some vitamins.
- They are primarily made up of carbs and water. They are also good source of fiber, which may support digestive health.
- Many vitamins and minerals are found in oranges such as vitamin C, thiamine, folate and potassium.
- Sweet oranges are a rich source of several plant compounds that are responsible for man of their health benefits.
- Oranges are very good for heart health. Regular consumption of oranges or juice has a blood thinning effect and may reduce blood pressure significantly.
- Sweet oranges are a good source of citric acid and citrates, which are believed to help prevent kidney stone formation.
- Oranges can also help to protect against anemia by increasing your iron absorption.
- You can enjoy oranges in many different ways. But eating whole oranges is healthier than drinking orange juice.
Oranges are among the world’s most popular and common fruits. And they are both tasty and nutritious. Consuming oranges daily is good for health.
Advantages/Benefits of Orange Farming Business
Commercial orange farming is a very common and popular business in many countries around the world. Cultivating oranges is very easy and even the beginners can also start commercial orange farming business.
Large scale or commercial orange production is a great system for earning some extras, because this business is highly profitable. Here we are trying to describe more about the top advantages of commercial orange farming business.
- Commercial or large scale orange farming is a very old business, and people are doing this business from the ancient time.
- So, you don’t have to worry much about starting and operating this business. You will be able to find many experienced farmer within your area to learn and practice practically.
- Commercial orange farming is very profitable, and you will be able to make good profit from this business (even if you are a beginner).
- Commercial orange production is a very old and established business. So, you don’t have to worry much about this business.
- Both price and demand of oranges are high in domestic and international market.
- Orange plants grow easily and it’s also very easy to take care of them. You can start growing orange trees even if you are a beginner.
- Commercial orange farming is highly profitable. So, this venture can be a very good employment source for the rural people.
- Especially, the educated but unemployed people can take this business as their carrier.
- Commercial orange farming business doesn’t require high investment, but will take some time for making good profits. But once the trees are established, you will get fruits continuously for many years.
- As we have mentioned above, oranges are very nutritious and consuming oranges regularly has numerous health benefits.
- You can enjoy fresh oranges if you start your own orange farming business.
How to Start Orange Farming Business
Orange plants are generally very strong and hardy. And caring them is generally easy. You will be able to take good care of them, even if you are a beginner.
Starting commercial orange farming business is very easy. Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating this business from planting, caring to harvesting and marketing.
Select Good Location
First of all, select a very good location for starting your orange farming business. Orange trees are generally grown in a wide range of soils ranging from sandy loam or alluvial soils.
Deep soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5 are considered ideal for orange farming. Although, orange plants can also be grown in a pH range of 4.0 to 9.0.
Adequate sunlight and availability of water is a must for growing orange plants, and also for having good production.
Land Preparation
You have to prepare the land perfectly for having good production. Perfect land preparation is the key to successful orange farming business.
Land should be ploughed, cross ploughed and leveled before planting. Terrace planting is done on hills. High density planting is possible in hilly areas.
Add as much organic fertilizers as you can while preparing the land. Adding organic fertilizers is a must for good orange production.
Climate Requirement For Orange Farming
Orange trees grow successfully in all frost-free tropical and sub-tropical regions. Annual rainfall of 100-120 cm, and temperature ranging from 10°C to 35°C is suitable for orange farming.
Choose the Right Variety/Cultivars
There are many varieties or cultivars of oranges available throughout the world. Main varieties are Common oranges, Navel oranges, Blood oranges, Acidless oranges and Hybrids.
Each of these varieties have numerous sub or similar varieties. Here we are listing the name of some popular common orange varieties.
- 瓦伦西亚
- 哈姆林
- Bahia
- 巴厘岛
- Belladonna
- Berna
- Biondo Comune (“ordinary blond”)
- Biondo Riccio
- Byeonggyul
- Cadanera
- Calabrese or Calabrese Ovale
- Carvalhal
- Castellana
- Charmute
- Cherry Orange
- Clanor
- Dom João
- Fukuhara
- Gardner
- Homosassa
- Jaffa orange
- Jincheng
- Joppa
- Khettmali
- File
- Kona
- Lima
- Lue Gim Gong
- Macetera
- Malta
- Maltaise金发女郎
- Maltaise Ovale
- Marrs
- Medan
- Midsweet
- Moro Tarocco
- Narinja
- Parson Brown
- Pera
- Pera Coroa
- Pera Natal
- Pera Rio
- Pineapple
- Pontianak
- Premier
- Rhode Red
- Roble
- Queen
- Salustiana
- Sathgudi
- Seleta, Selecta
- Shamouti Masry
- Sunstar
- Tomango
- Verna
- Vicieda
- Westin
- Xã Đoài orange
Navel Orange Varieties
- Bahia
- Dream navel
- Late Navel
- Washington or California Navel
Blood Orange Varieties
- Maltese
- Maro
- Sanguinelli
- Scarlet navel
- Tarocco
Purchase Plants
After selecting the right variety for your business, you have to purchase plants from any of your nearest nurseries.
Orange plants are generally propagated by seeds and also vegetatively propagated by T-budding.
Planting
Seedlings are generally planted in the month of July-August after the commencement of monsoon. Orange plants are generally planted in pits of 0.5 m x 0.5 m x 0.5 m size in a square system with spacing of 4.5 meters to 6 meters accommodating 350-450 plants per hectare.
Spacing of 6 m x 6 m accommodating 120 plants per acre has been considered ideal for the present model.
Caring
Taking good care of the plants is very important for better growth of the plants and also for better fruit production.
Orange plants are very strong and hardy, and they generally require less caring. Here we are trying to describe more about the caring process of orange plants.
Fertilizing
Providing adequate fertilizers is very important for getting better production. For 1-3year old crop, apply well decomposed[email protected],[email protected]per tree.
For 4-7year old crop, apply well decomposed cow[email protected],[email protected]and[email protected]per tree. For eight years and above crop, apply[email protected],[email protected]and[email protected]per Tree.
Apply whole amount of cow dung during December month whereas apply Urea in two parts, apply first of Urea in February, and second dose in April-May month. At time of applying first dose of Urea, apply whole dose of SSP fertilizer.
If fruit drop is observed, to control excessive fruit drop, take spray of 2,[email protected]in 500Ltr of water. Take first spray in March end, then in April end. Repeat the spray in August and September end. If cotton is planted in nearby field of citrus, avoid spraying of 2, 4-D, instead take spray of GA3. [2]
Watering/Irrigation
水或灌溉需水量的橘子树very high due to it’s evergreen nature throughout the year. Although, exact amount of water requirement depends upon the type of soil.
Adequate watering should be provided at the time of flowering, fruit set and fruit development stage.
Orange plants can’t tolerate water logging, so try to avoid water logging. And water of irrigation should be free from salts.
Mulching
Mulching not only helps to retain moisture but also helps to prevent weeds. You can use organic materials for mulching.
Weeding
Weeds consume nutrients from the soil. So, it’s very important to control weeds. You can control weeds by hand-hoeing and also by chemically.
If you prefer chemical method, use glyphosate at the are of 1.6 liter per 150 liter of water. Use glyphosate only on weeds not on orange plants.
Pests & Diseases
Like many other crops, orange plants are also succeptible to some pests and diseases. Here we are trying to describe more about the common pests and diseases of the orange plants.
Common Diseases & Their Management
Common diseases of the orange plants are citrus canker, gummosis, powdery mildew, black spot, collar rot, zinc defieiency and iron deficiency.
Iron Deficiency
Color of the leaves of the infected trees changes to yellowish green. This deficiency mostly occurs in case of alkaline soils. Iron chelates should be provided to the plants.
Zinc Deficiency
Zinc deficiency in orange plants is very common. It is notified as yellow areas between main lateral veins and midrib of the leaves. Twings may die back, dense shoots having stunted bushy appearance is commonly seen.
Fruits tend to become pale, elongated and become smaller in size. Provide zinc sulphate by dissolving 2 table spoons in 10 liters of water. This should be sprayed thoroughly on all the tree branches and foliage.
Collar Rot
Collar rot is caused due to fungus, and affects the bark on tree trunk. Bark begins to rot and forms a band just above ground surface (and this band decay gradually and covers the whole trunk).
Cut and scrape away the soft, infected bark to clean the trunk of the tree to protect the trees from collar rot.
Mixture of copper spray or Bordeaux mixture should be painted on the affected part of the tree. Remove all the weak, diseased and congested tree branches to ensure proper air circulation.
Black Spot
Black spot is also a fungal disease. Common symptoms of this diseases are circular, dark spots on fruits.
Copper spray in early spring should be sprayed on foliage helps to cure plants from black spots. It should be repeated in 6 weeks again.
Powdery Mildew
White cottony powdery growth is noticed on all aerial plant parts, and the leaves tend to become pale yellow and crinkle. Distorted margins are also seen. Upper surface leaves are more affected.
To control powdery mildew, affected plant parts should be removed and destroyed completely. Carbendazim, three times at 20-22 days of interval helps to control this disease.
Gummosis
Exudation of gum from the bark of the tree is the characteristic symptom of gummosis disease.
This disease can be managed through proper selection of site with proper drainage, use of resistant varieties etc.
Drench the soil with 0.2% metalaxyl MZ-72 + 0.5% trichodermaviride, which helps to control this disease. Bordeaux mixture should be applied to plant upto 50-75 cm height from ground level at least once in a year.
柑橘溃疡
Plants have lesions on stems, leaves and fruits with brown, water-soaked margins. This disease can be controlled by cuttin the affected branches and twigs.
Spraying of Bordeaux mixture @1%. Aqueous solution of 550ppm, Streptomycin Sulphate is also helpful in controlling citrus canker.
Common Insect-Pests & Their management
Common pests and insects of the orange plants are aphids and mealy bugs, orange shoot borer, scale insects, cutrys ostkka and leaf miner.
Aphids & Mealy Bugs
Aphids and mealy bugs are small sap sucking pests. Bugs are generally present on the underside of the leaves. You can use synthetic pyrethroids or pest oil to control aphids and bugs.
Orange Shoot Borer
Affected plants tend to lose it’s vigor, and it is a very serious pest of the citrus plant. It can be controlled by destroying the affected branches.
Kerosene oil/petrol injection can also help to control this insect. Monocrotophos (5ml/20ml of water) also helps to control orange shoot borer.
Scale Insects
Scale insects can be controlled with the introduction of indigenous parasitic wasps. Neem oil is also effective against them. Spraying of Parathion (0.03%) emulsion, dimethoate 150ml or malathion @0.1% are effective against scale control.
Leaf Miner
Best management for leaf miner is to leave it alone and let the natural enemies to feed upon them and parasitize their larvae. It can also be controlled by spraying Phosphomidon @1ml or Monocrotophos @1.5ml per 3-4 times fortnightly. Pheromone traps are also available for detecting leaf minor moths.
Citrus Psylla
Citrus psylla are juice sucking pests, and damage is mainly caused by Nymphs. It can be controlled by pruning of the affected plants. Spraying of Monocrotophos-0.025% or carbaryl- 0.1% can also be helpful.
Harvesting
当水果达到合适的尺寸，形状以及吸引人的颜色时，您可以开始收获。根据品种的不同，水果通常可以在1月中旬至2月中旬准备收获。
Timely harvesting is very important. Because too early or too late harvesting will give poor quality fruits. Harvesting is generally done by hand.
Post Harvesting
Post harvesting tasks include grading, washing the fruits with clean water and then dip fruits in Chlorinated water at the rate of 2.5 ml per Liter water.
After that, partially dry them. To improve appearance along with to maintain good quality, do Citrashine wax coating along with foam. Then these fruits are dried under shade and then packing is done. Fruits are packed in boxes.
Yield
Yield vary depending on the age of the plants. You can expect around 50 fruits per tree from their 5th year of age. Fruit production stabilizes in the 8th year. Average production is about 700 to 800 fruits per tree after stabilization.
Marketing
营销橘子是很容易的。你可以很容易地选取l your oranges in your local market. You can also target some large companies for selling your products.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful orange farming business. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
