Pear fruit farming in India is gaining popularity as one of the important fruit crops after apples. Native to the mildly coastal temperate areas of the world, this fruit belongs to the “Rosaceae” family and the “Pyrus” genus. Farmers can grow pears in subtropical and temperate regions, benefiting from their wider climatic and soil adaptability. The pear tree, a medium-sized tree, typically grows to heights of 10 to 16 meters. Farmers in India cultivate this fruit in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh at elevations ranging from 2000 to 2400 meters above sea level. Additionally, they grow low-chilling varieties that thrive in the subtropical regions of the country.
How to Start Pear Fruit Farming in India?
You can get the best guidelines for pear fruit farming in the below section. However, for the ideal condition of farming, you should keep the information regarding which equipment is best in pear fruit farming. Several types of equipment are used in pear farming, such as tractors, implements, and harvesters. Tractors play a major role in the cultivation process. Therefore, you can choose the affordable tractor such as the mini tractor you can get in many brands like Sonalika, Mahindra etc. And also, you can get ACE Tractor and any other tractor prices online.
Climate Requirement
Pear fruit can grow ideally in wide climatic conditions and tolerate temperatures as low as -27ºC and as high as 44ºC. The chilling period keeps the disparity for each variety of pear. Spring frosts damage flowers, so you should avoid the lowlands for its cultivation. Likewise, you should avoid hail-prone areas affecting both plants and fruits.
Soil Requirement
You should grow the pear fruit in well-drained, rich, deep soil with a medium texture. For better growth and yield, it prefers relatively more clay soil. You can tolerate this crop in wet soil but not in drought conditions. The optimum 170 to 180 cm soil depth is recommended for fruit production and good root growth. Farmers grow pears on deeper soil that produces more yield than shallow soil. Due to iron deficiency on highly alkaline soils, the crop requires neutral 5.5 to 7.5 pH. The nitrogen soils are not optimum for pear crop farming due to fire blight and pear psylla presence in these soils.
Land Preparation and Planting
Clear the land of all weeds, old roots, and remnants of previously grown plants. Use a plough to bring the soil to a fine tilth and level the land to prevent water stagnation. The layout system typically depends on the density of plants and the land’s topography; the rectangular and square systems are commonly followed, while the contour system is suitable for hilly areas.
The planting distance varies based on the variety, rootstock, soil fertility, training system adopted, and climatic conditions in pear fruit farming. Dig 1 x 1-meter pits and fill them with a soil mixture that includes well-rotted farmyard manure (FMY) and 25 grams of BHC dust.
After planting, prepare the basins immediately, leveling the soil slightly higher near the trunk than in the basin to avoid direct contact with the trunk. Stake the plants to keep the tree stems straight and remove any sprouts on the rootstock and root suckers. Finally, water the plants immediately to help settle the soil.
Training and Pruning
In pear fruit cultivation, farmers should properly train and prune the trees to ensure even fruit growth and maintain healthy development. They follow a central leader training system, where 4 to 5 limbs develop well during the first 3 to 4 years, after which they guide the leader. During pruning, thinning some of the laterals growing outward and back is sufficient.
Manures and Fertilisers
Normally a 10-year-old pear plant requires about 80 to 90 kg of well-rotted FMY, 650 to 700 g N, 300 to 350 g P205 and 650 to 700 g K2O. You should mass the full amount of Phosphorus and Potassium with farm manure. If nitrogen is used, apply 1/2 dose of N 21 days before flowering and the remaining half after fruit formation. Sufficient zinc and ferrous sulphate should be used if the soil is deficient in zinc and iron. You can do this while preparing the soil or the ground.
Irrigation Requirements
Farmers should irrigate the pits first to manage the soil. Farmers should do the water immediately after planting. They should give the next irrigation after 2 to 3 days of planting. They should carry the subsequent irrigations on a need basis. In heavy soils with high moisture content, the level of 1 m is very important for tree growth and fruit development. Farmers may require constant irrigation in the case of light soils. The loamy soil must have moisture at a depth of 1.5 m for better yield. In heavy rains, the water should not be well drained and stagnate. Excessive moisture will affect the colour and quality of the fruit. The irrigation frequency almost depends on the moisture-holding capacity of the soil. You should irrigate the trees at an interval of 3 weeks after harvesting pears in July-August. You can use drip irrigation in water problem areas.
Pests and Diseases
Blast, Crown, Fire blight and root rot, Spring pear cankerworm, Pear decline, Armillaria root rot, Leafrollers, Scab, Codling moth, and Pear psylla are the general pests and diseases found in pear fruit cultivation. For control measures, try to contact the nearest local agriculture department.
Harvesting and Packing
Harvest pears when the fruits are fully mature for fresh consumption. For long-distance markets or canning purposes, pick them when they are green and firm. Then, farmers should start grading based on the size and quality of fruit, except for any damaged fruit. Packing can be done in layers in plastic or cardboard boxes and wooden.
Equipment Requirement
With information about pear fruit cultivation, you should also know the equipment that will help to boost the yield. Of course, tractors are an essential segment in every fruit cultivation. However, the John Deere tractor is the most effective tractor for farming, and you can easily check this Massey Ferguson tractor price list online.
For further information about pear fruit farming in India, stay tuned with us.
