The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, popularly known as TNAU launched a 1.5 acre demonstration plot on Ultra High Density Planting or UHDP in Mango at the College Orchard of Horticultural College &Research Institute.
Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Tamil Nadu inaugurated the plot on Friday (25th October 2019). The Governor planted the 1st mango graft (Banganapalli variety), which was followed by sowing of grafts of other varieties like Salem Bangalora, Banganapalli, Imam Pasand and Bangalora by college students as well as staff members.
It is important to mention that the spacing under UHDP technique is closer (i.e. 4 metre spacing between rows & 2 meter spacing between two plants) as compared to 10x10 meter spacing under conventional planting techniques, resulting in accommodation of 500 plants per acre under former as against 40 plants.
Moreover, the advantages under Ultra High Density Planting include two to three-fold increase in output, optimal use of vertical & horizontal space, improved water-use & fertilizer-use efficiency, possibility of utilizing the space between plants for inter-cropping during early years of planting besides making orchard crops gainful as other cash crops.
According to a University release, Ultra High Density Planting combined with micro irrigation, fertigation, canopy management & pruning can also play a significant role in achieving quick, high, stable & sustainable yields in mango orchards.
Mango is grown in an area of 1.6 lakh hectares in Tamil Nadu with production and productivity at 11.56 lakh tonnes & 8.7 tonnes / hectare respectively. Some of the major mango growing districts are Salem, Vellore, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Theni, Tirunelveli & Tiruvallur.
