LESSON 40

Factors Affecting the

Growth of Fruit Trees
Type and Species
These are various types of nee There are fruit trees
and trees that a grown for their shade. Other trees
are grown as a source of lumber. S others are grown
for commercial purposes.
Farm Site
In selecting a site for tree planting, a gentle slope
instead of level land is advisable. A slope provides
good water and air drainage.
 Exposure of the Tree Farm

Exposure is important in tree farming

Exposure makes watering tilling,
spraying, harvesting and other form
operations easy. The slope opposite the
direction of prevailing wind is safer,
richer and deeper than slope facing the
wind.
 Types and Drainage of soil

Fruit and tree crops grow in all types of

soil provided these art it sandy, rocky,
shallow or wet. The roots of trees must
deeply penetrate the soil. The soil must
be properly drained and have a good
texture. Good texture means that it is
fine and mellow, not hard or lumpy.
 "STUDY HELPS"

1. What factors affect the growth of trees?

2. How do you choose the species of trees
to plant?

3. How does exposure affect the growth of

trees?
 LESSON 41
Importance of Climate, Soil and
Water in Tree Crop Production
Good judgment and efficiency are needed to succeed in tree
farming. Several factors must be considered to succeed.
Experienced tree fruit growers agree that climate, soil,
temperature and humidity are factors that contribute to
successful tree farming.
CLIMATE
Different tree species grow best in certain climatic conditions
which include rainfall, sunshine, high temperature, low
temperature, humidity and wind.
Long light rain is good for tree crops because water penetrates
 SOIL
Soil is the material that holds the tree and provides it with
water and nutrients in order to grow. The roots of a tree
anchors to the soil. The roots also absorb nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients which the
tree needs to live. Leaves and organic materials improve
the texture and fertility of the soil.
The best kind of soil for fruit and tree crop growing is dry,
warm, porous, Sandy and loamy.
WATER
Water has an important role in the life of plants. Water is
very much needed in the formation of carbohydrates,
proteins, fats, minerals and other
Nutrients and instransporting these elements
 These nutrients must first dissolve in wa
ter before they are absorbed into the tree body.
Water is also used in transplanting crops.
STUDY HELPS
1. What factors affect tree growth and
production?
2. How is soil classified?
3. What properties of soil makes it good for
tree crop production?
 LESSON 42
Different Methods of Plant
Propagation
Sexual Propagation of Plants
Propagation by Seeds -Seed propagation is
the most common and easy method of
propaga- ting plants. In propagating fruit
trees, the use of seed is not advisable
because of the varying characteristics of
plant seedlings.
 Propogation by seed is
however, practical in these
instances
1. Seeds are used by plant breeders who need a
large seedling popu- lation with different
characteristics from which they select good
varieties.
2. Seeds are used by nursery men who need a
large seedling popu- lation as rootstocks for
certain outstanding varieties.
A sexual propagation
- is done without the help of the sex organs of the plant. In
the asexual method, plants multiply in different ways, as
follows:
1. By suckers which are stems or roots that grow from a
subterranean portion of a plant or tree.
Example: Banana
2. By rhizomes or creeping stems which
produce roots along their surface and develop
new plants from buds on the upper side.
Example:GINGER
3. By underground runners or ratoons as in the
case of sugar cane and pineapple.

4. By the germinating tissues of the leaves

which come in contact with the damp surface
of the soil.
Example:BEGONIA
 5. By rootstocks through which the plants
reproduce by division separating some of its roots,
Example: Orchids and other herbaceous plants
6. By tubers which are thickened stems, bearing
buds or nodeliscars.
Examples: Sweet potato and yam

7. By bulbs, which are modified leaves folded

around one another
Examples: Garlic and Onions
Other Methods of Artificial
Plant Propagation