Everything you need to learn about growing ber organically. Learn about:- 1. Introduction to Ber 2. Climate and Soil Required for Growing Ber 3. Propagation and Rootstocks 4. Planting 5. Training, Pruning and Canopy Management 6. Organic Nutrient Management 7. Flowering and Fruiting 8. Maturity Indices and Harvesting 9. Organic Management of Pests and Diseases 10. Varieties.
Contents:
- Introduction to Ber
- Climate and Soil Required for Growing Ber
- Propagation and Rootstocks of Ber Plant
- Planting of Ber
- Training, Pruning and Canopy Management of Ber
- Organic Nutrient Management of Ber
- Flowering and Fruiting of Ber
- Maturity Indices and Harvesting of Ber
- Organic Management of Pests and Diseases of Ber
- Varieties of Ber
1. Introduction
to Ber:
Indian ber (Zizyphns mauritiana) belongs to the family Rhamnaceae. The ber is an ancient fruit of India. It is growing wild, semi- wild and in cultivated situations. Its cultivated forms are found practically all over the country. Although ber is often referred as poor man’s fruit, yet it is not a poor fruit. It excels many important fruits in vitamins and minerals. The ber fruits are rich in nutritive value. They contain considerable amounts of protein, minerals, vitamin C and carotene.
In India major ber producing states are Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Ber is cultivated in an area of 40, 530 hectares with production of 4,38,010 tons (2012-13).
2. Climate and Soil Required for Growing Ber:
It grows under varying conditions of climate all over India even at an elevation up to 1000 m above mean sea level. For its successful cultivation, it favours a hot and dry climate. It can withstand extremely hot conditions but is susceptible to frost. The trees shed leaves and enter into dormancy during summer.
Under moderate climate of south India, however, the trees continue to grow throughout the year. It is extremely drought hardy owing to its deep root system and other xerophytic characters. The tree prefers dry atmospheric conditions for development of good quality fruits. High atmospheric humidity is distinctly disadvantageous particularly during fruiting.
It adapts to a wide variety of soils, varying from shallow to deep and from gravelly and sandy to clayey. Ber can also withstand alkalinity and slightly waterlogged conditions. It can also be grown on marginal lands which are unfit for growing other fruit crops. However, deep sandy loam soils which are neutral or slightly alkaline provide best media for its excellent growth and fruiting. The ber tree can grow under the most hazardous conditions of soil, water and climate.
3. Propagation and Rootstocks of Ber Plant:
Most common method of propagation of ber is by ring budding and T budding. Zizyphus rotundifolia rootstock is usually grown as seedlings; however germination presents some problem because of stony nature of the endocarp. Seeds for rootstocks should be collected only from fully ripe fruits and not haphazardly from dropped fruits.
Immerse seeds in 17 to 18% salt solution. Seeds with aborted embryos will float on the surface of water and should be discarded. Seeds extracted by breaking hard shell start germination early. However care needs to be taken that embryos do not receive injury while breaking.
For propagation, a technique has been standardized at CAZRI, Jodhpur that requires raising of rootstock seedlings in 300 gauge polythene tubes of 25 cm length and 10 cm diameter. The tubes open from both ends are filled with a mixture 1:1:1 of FYM, sand and clay and are arranged in a shallow trench to avoid moisture loss.
Sowing of seeds is done during April in north India so that seedlings become buddable in July. 90-100 days old rootstock seedlings are budded by using ring method. Budlings are transplanted 1-2 months after budding. This method has been found to be very popular, as it does not allow curling of roots. Root damage and transplanting shocks are minimum with this method.
4. Planting of Ber:
Beginning of monsoon is best time for planting. Pits of 60cm x 60cm x 60cm are dug during summer and refilled after mixing 2 baskets of farm yard manure and 50 g of Beauveria bassiana to protect from termite attack. Planting is done at a spacing ranging from 6m x 6m to 8m x 8m.
In rainfed areas, shaping the interspaces between tree rows to provide 5% slope towards the plant helps to accumulate run-off water during monsoon and thereby results in higher establishment success and better growth of plants. In irrigated areas, ber plants can be transplanted during January-March also. In sandy soils, placing subsurface barrier of bentonite clay or pond silt reduces infiltration of water and thus increases success in establishment.
In commercial plantations budlings are planted at a distance of 6-8 meter x 6-8 meters. In rainfed situations planting is done in 6 x 6 meter pattern with about 230-250 plants per ha. However, if 5% slope is provided for collection of run-off water during monsoon period, then in rainfed areas also spacing of 8 x 8 meters can be adopted. Under irrigated conditions planting is done at 8 x 8 meters with overall planting density of about 150-160 plants per hectare.
5. Training, Pruning and Canopy Management of Ber:
In ber severe pruning is done. During the first 2-3 years after planting, bet- trees should be trained to develop a strong framework. Old growth is beheaded during March keeping 1-2 nodes above the graft union to induce vigorous new growth.
One upright growing vigorous shoot is retained to develop into main trunk, which is kept clean of secondary branches up to 30cm height from the ground level. On the main trunk, 3 or 4 well-spaced and favourably located main branches are retained when it is headed back.
During the second year, these main branches are also clipped retaining 3-4 secondary branches on each of them. This process is continued to develop tertiary branches. Upward growing shoots are retained at each stage to develop an upright tree.
Not more than one upright growing shoot is retained at a node so that narrow crotches are avoided. This basic frame of the tree is maintained by removing water sprouts as and when they emerge. Correction in the framework is done at the time of annual pruning.
Annual pruning in ber is essential to induce maximum number of new healthy shoots which would bear good quality fruits as ber fruit is borne in the axils of leaves of current year’s growth. It is also essential to remove the undesirable, weak, intercrossing, diseased and broken branches to avoid crowding and to encourage healthy growth for maximum fruit bearing.
Pruning is done during the hot and dry season when the tree sheds leaves and enters into dormancy. Pruning is done during April-May months. Severity of pruning also differs at different locations. In harsh climatic conditions, severe pruning is usually adopted, leaving the trunk and its branches 4-5 meters from the ground.
During initial planting years, when ber plants are small, pulses and vegetables are ideal intercrops. Pulse-mustard, pulse-wheat, pulse onion etc. can be taken up as intercrops in northern and eastern states.
In southern states green gram, black gram, safflower and medicinal plants are ideal choice. In bearing orchards having irrigation facilities turmeric and ginger are remunerative intercrops. In Karnataka Bengal gram and safflower have been found to be most promising with higher returns than sole crop.
In northern India, green gram and cluster bean have been found to be best suitable intercrops in ber. In Rajasthan cover cropping with moth bean not only improved the fertility status of the soil and overall ber productivity but also improved the moisture status in the soil. However nutritional and pest and disease control requirements of intercrops need to be met at required time.
In rainfed areas, arrangement for in-situ water harvesting should be done by giving 5% slope to the inter-row spaces towards the trees. Black polythene mulch helps conserve soil moisture and improves growth of the trees. Anti- transpirants like 0.1% power oil and 7.5% Kaolin also help to conserve water. Irrigations during November-February at 3-4 week intervals improve fruit size and quality.
6. Organic Nutrient Management of Ber:
Bearing orchard with average fruit yield of about 20-25 tons/ha removes about 75-80 kg nitrogen and 25 kg phosphorus as P2O5. Out of this nearly 78% of N and 80% of P is returned to the soil in the form of fallen leaves, fruits, twigs, pruning’s etc. One cycle of green manure crop (mung bean, moth, cowpea, sunhemp or Sesbania) when incorporated into the soil adds 50-80 kg nitrogen.
Keeping the soil covered with green cover from July till February-March can ensure sustained biological activity in the soil. In rainfed areas where irrigation facilities are not available, and taking intercrops during winter is difficult, ensure that soil remains covered with biomass mulch for moisture conservation, sustained microbial activity in the soil and for effective weed control.
While calculating the nutrient needs recommendations under conventional management should also be considered. Usually under conventional management a five year old tree is provided with 600 gm nitrogen, 250 gm phosphorus and 250 gm potash. Full dose of phosphorus and potash and half dose of nitrogen are provided just before the onset of monsoon. Remaining nitrogen is provided at fruit set and fruit development time during October-November.
Keeping all these situations and nutrient requirements in mind two different nutrient management protocols are suggested, one for rainfed dry areas, and second for irrigated areas. Manure mixture proposed below can be used in both the situations in quantities mentioned in each.
Preparation of manure mixture — For 100 kg manure mixture mix 40 kg BD compost/ enriched compost along with 40 kg vermicompost + 2.5 kg neem cake + 2.5 kg poultry manure and 250gm each of Azotobacter, PSB and KMB bio-fertilizers. Keep the manure mixture moist, incubate for 48 hrs and use within 7-8 days of preparation.
Foliar Feed Solution:
Feeding through leaves is also an important strategy in organic farming for optimum yields of high quality fruits. Fermented cow urine (5%) or Vermiwash (5%) or Panchagavya (3%) or protein hydrolysate (4- 5 ml/lit of water) are ideal foliar feed alternatives and any one or combination of all these solutions can be used. For fully grown trees usually 150-200 lit liquid will be adequate.
Area around the young plant is kept clean by weeding and hoeing. Stirring the soil under the tree canopy after rains provides better aeration around roots and helps in conserving soil moisture and weed control. One ploughing in September-October is desirable to keep the weeds under control. Cover cropping with Stylosanthus sp. and moth bean improves fertility and moisture status of the soil.
7. Flowering and Fruiting of Ber:
In ber, the flowering period lasts for about two and half months from July to August and it slightly varies from place to place. Flowers are borne in the axils of the leaves of mature as well as current season’s shoots. Flowers are hermaphrodite and pollination is mediated by insects. Fruit setting continues in the second week of October and ends in up to first fortnight of November. However, this varies from location to location and also variety.
8. Maturity Indices and Harvesting of Ber:
At maturity fruit colour changes from green to yellowish and golden yellow to brownish. It should be picked when it has acquired normal size and characteristic colour and softness of a particular variety after the fruit has attained full size. The fruit requires about 120 days for reaching maturity. Ber trees are regular and heavy bearers. Budded plants start bearing within three years of planting. Thereafter it gives regular yields.
All the fruits on the tree don’t ripen at one time and therefore, 4 or 5 pickings have to be done in the season. Fruits are harvested with hand or a pole with a hook. Under ripe fruits are acrid and don’t have satisfactory sweetness, over ripe fruits on the other hand lose their attractive colour and become red, loosing their crisp and juicy texture. The average yield per tree varies with the variety and ranges from 100-200 kg.
Fruits are graded on the basis of their size into large, medium and small- sized ones. The damaged, over-ripe, unripe fruits are usually discarded. Pre- cooling of fruits at 10°C immediately after harvest increases the shelf life. Fruits are generally packed in cloth sheets or gunny bags for local markets.
Packing is done according to the grades for long distance markets. Good quality fruits are packed in perforated cardboard cartons of 6 kg capacity with paper cuttings as cushioning material. The fruits of lower grades are packed in baskets or gunny bags. The storage life of the fruits can be prolonged to 30-40 days when stored at 3°C and 85-90% relative humidity.
9. Organic Management of Pests and Diseases of Ber:
Pest management in organic farming is an integrated approach combining cultural, mechanical and biological strategies in first place and using botanical and organically acceptable chemicals only as last resort.
First and foremost strategy for organic pest management in ber is creation and maintenance of diversity, which includes permanent diversity plantation on boundary and internal bunds, (such as Gliricidia, Leucaena leucocephala etc.) on borders and pesticidal value plants such as Adathoda, Ipomea, Calotropis etc. randomly in between border plantation and aromatic grasses such as lemon grass on internal bunds and seasonal diversity through intercrops (mainly leguminous crops), flowering plants and trap crops (such as marigold, hibiscus, basil, maize/sorghum etc.)
Second strategy involves manipulation of cultural practices to ensure a balance in natural processes, which in turn keep the pests below the economical threshold limit.
Important cultural practices are:
A. General Strategies:
1. Proper spacing, mulching and green manuring and adequate use of organic manures.
2. Use of resistant/tolerant cultivars and disease free planting stock.
B. Ecological and Cultural Strategies for Below Ground Pest Management:
1. Growing legumes as cover/intercrop and its incorporation in soil
2. Keeping soil covered with living vegetation and or crop residue.
3. Adequate use of organic manures followed by biomass mulching and drenching with fermented dung-urine slurry (such as Jivamrit)
4. Avoid cultivating ber in high rainfall areas.
C. Ecological and Cultural Strategies for Above Ground Pest Management:
1. Ensure natural habitat and survival conditions for natural pest enemies such as pest predators, parasites and pathogens.
2. Do not uproot weed plants those are growing naturally and act as nectar source for natural enemies (such as Tridax procumbens, Ageratum sp., Alternanthera sp. etc.)
3. Collect egg cards of beneficial insects for release such as Trichogramma, Chrysoperla, Telenomus etc. which are available from state Bio-control Labs.
4. Install pheromone traps.
5. Install yellow pan water trap/sticky traps. Set up yellow pan water trap/sticky traps 15 cm above the canopy for monitoring insect pests @ 4-5 traps/acre. Locally available empty tins can be painted yellow/coated with grease/Vaseline/castor oil on outer surface may also be used.
6. Set up light traps 1 trap/acre 15 cm above the crop canopy for monitoring and mass trapping insects. Light traps with exit option for natural enemies of smaller size should be installed and operate around the dusk time (6 pm to 10 pm).
7. Grow flowering plants along the orchard border by arranging small plants towards the crop and taller plants towards border. Important insectary plants that can be planted as intercrops also include mustard, sunflower, alfalfa, marigold, carrot, French bean, cowpea, maize, coriander, spearmint, peppermint, Ocimum etc. After flowering these plants can be used as green manure/mulch.
Another important strategy is to keep monitoring the fields on weekly basis. Enumerate pest- defender ratio. If pest defender ratio is 2:1 then no need to worry.
10. Varieties of Ber:
Numerous horticultural varieties of ber are grown all over India. Gola, Seb, Umran, Mundia, Kaithali, Chonchal, Thar Sevika and Banarasi Gola are some of the important varieties of ber. Gola, Seb and Mundia varieties are suitable for extremely dry areas, whereas Banarasi Kadaka and Umran are for semi-arid areas. Gola variety is earliest to ripen, Seb, Kaithali and Mundia are mid-season and Umran is a late cultivar.