Lemons are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that is important for the immune system, skin health, and helping the body absorb iron. Lemons also contain other antioxidants, such as flavonoids and limonoids, which may reduce the growth of cancer cells and cognitive decline
Lemon trees prefer to grow in mild winters and warm to hot dry summer heat, which is why they are successfully grown in the sub-tropical "citrus belt" in India.
Spacing between plants should be kept between 3 m × 3 m. Pits of size 60×60×60cm should be dug for planting seedlings. 10Kg of Farmyard Manure and 500g of single superphosphate should be applied to pits while planting.
The botanical name of Lemon is Citrus limon. Citrus is an important fruit crop and
Lemon is one of the important categories of citrus. It is known for its pulp and juice
throughout the world. The Lemon tree is a small evergreen tree in the family Rutaceae.
Lemon fruits have many health benets and are a great source of vitamin C, calcium,
magnesium, and potassium that improve the condition of our hair, skin, and nails.
Lemon trees can reach 3 to 6 meters in height and can live for many years. By using the
right organic soil and fertilizer with natural pest and disease control methods keep the
Lemon trees healthy as well as chemical-free. The Lemon fruit has a variety of uses
and is cultivated throughout the country. However, the Commercial production of
Lemons takes place in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujrat, Rajasthan, and
Bihar. Also, other states cultivate it for their domestic use. The Lemons are available in the
markets throughout the year and grow in almost any soil.
Lemon trees can be grown under a wide range of climatic conditions. However, too hot or
too cold weather is counterproductive to Lemon fruit size and owering. Lemon trees can
be grown in heavy rainfall humid regions. High humidity favors the spread of many
diseases in Lemon trees. The Lemon tree has the reputation of tolerating infertile, very
poor soil. For Lemon cultivation, recommended soils are sand, clay, and sandy–clay–
deep, with high permeability and good drainage. Also, black soils are suitable if not lying
over calcareous sub-soil. Before actually planting your Lemon, make sure the site you
select is appropriate for your tree. The Lemon tree needs 8-12 hours of light per day to
produce a good crop of fruit. If the Lemon tree is not receiving sufcient light, the crop
will be thin or none at all. Before planting or potting up, try placing the Lemon tree in the
desired location for a couple of weeks to see how it responds. If the Lemon tree looks
unhappy, try another location.
Lemon trees can be grown in all types of soils. Light soils having good drainage are
suitable for Lemon tree farming. Also, they can grow in slightly alkaline and acidic soils.
Light loam well-drained soils are best for its cultivation.
Lemon tree planted in medium black, loamy, or alluvial soils having perfect drainage.
Lemon trees can grow in all sorts of soils, but well-drained sandy loam and clay-loam soils
rich in humus with fairly good Potash content are best for its cultivation. The soil must be
well aerated. Heavy soil should be avoided. Soils with high organic matter are preferred;
FYM (Farm Yard Manure) or compost must be incorporated during land preparation.
Homegrown Lemons do well to make a potting mixture of equal parts of compost,
perlite, and peat moss or coir. Another potting mixture contains 5 parts of wood chips,
one part of peat moss, and one part of perlite/vermiculite.
Step 1) The rst step in propagating Lemon seeds is to choose a good tasting, juicy
Lemon.
Step 2) You want to use fresh seeds and plant them immediately; letting them dry out
will decrease the chance that they will germinate.
Step 3) Plant several seeds about ½ inch deep to increase the chance for Lemon seed
propagation. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Keep your growing Lemon tree seeds in
an area that is around 21°C; the top of the fridge is ideal.
Step 4) Once the seedlings emerge, move the container into brighter light and then
remove the plastic. When the Lemon seedlings have several sets of leaves, transplant
them to larger, 4- to 6-inch pots lled with sterile potting medium. Fertilize them with a.
Step 1) Plant Lemon trees in the spring season, using the optimum site and soil
conditions to reduce the chances for disease and pest problems. Fungal disease can be
avoided by growing the trees in a sunny area with well-drained soil, and by setting the
tree so that the top of the root ball is above the soil line. Avoid planting on the lawn,
because the amount of nitrogen required by grass can encourage disease in trees.
Step 2) Apply about 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch to conserve water and suppress weeds.
Keep the mulch about 6 inches away from the Lemon tree’s trunk to prevent rodent
burrowing.
Step 3) Shape a basin around the Lemon tree by creating a circular rim of soil and
mulch, extending 1 foot beyond the ground underneath the tree’s outer branches, known
as the drip line. Then, this step prevents water from running downhill rather than being
absorbed by the soil.
Step 4) Water the Lemon tree immediately after planting, and during the rst year at
least once a week during periods of low rainfall. Lack of water causes stress to a Lemon
tree, which in turn leads to undeveloped fruit and the prevalence of pests like mites and
thrips.
Step 5) Rake aside the mulch and spread compost or blood meal on the surface of the
soil, starting from 6 inches from the trunk to 1 foot beyond the drip line. Water the area
carefully to allow nutrients to sink into the soil. Repeat watering the tree, for a total of four
feedings a year.
Step 6) Wrapping the Lemon tree protects it from sunburn in its rst year. Extend the
water area as the Lemon tree grows.
Important for tree growth and it is considered one of the most critical cultural
operations. About the method of irrigation suggested that young trees up to 4 years may
be protably irrigated by basin system. Other irrigation methods applied in Lemon trees
are ood, furrow, sprinkler methods. The application of irrigation at the right time and the
right quantity is more important than the irrigation method. Generally, under local
conditions, weekly irrigation from March to June and fortnightly irrigation from
November to February are practiced.
In dry areas, water newly planted Lemon trees at least once a week for the rst year.
Once established, Lemon trees need less frequent watering, but never wait until leaves
wilt to water. Water stress can cause developing fruit to drop; prolonged drought causes
leaf drop and kills the Lemon tree. In drought areas, construct a shallow watering basin
that extends from 6 inches away from the trunk to 1 foot beyond the drip line. Keep
mulch 6 inches away from the trunk
Lemon trees don’t like wet feet, and they don’t need much watering.
Lemon trees require full sunlight for adequate plant growth. Lemon trees prefer
well-drained and slightly acidic soil.
Water any newly planted Lemon trees every other day for the rst week, and then 1
or 2 times a week for 2 months.
Lemon trees planted in sandy soils will require water more frequently. Young trees will
require a light application of fertilizer every month in the rst year.
Lemon trees will need to be protected from cold temperature levels to prevent
damage. Soil can be mounded up around the trunk during the winter and removed in
the spring season.
Young Lemon trees can also be protected from frosts by covering them with tarps or
blankets as required.ertilization for Lemon Farming
Fertilization in organic Lemon growing is based primarily on the compost. Only if
necessary based on soil and leaf analysis –additional organic commercial fertilizers are
brought in. Suitable strategies have to be planned based on the soil condition. For
example, applications have to be applied 2-4 weeks before the expected nitrogen
demand of the Lemon trees (2-4 weeks before owering) because the mineralization of
nitrogen from compost is slow. If nitrogen demand is important for trees (> 50 kg/ha)
nitrogen supply cannot be given with compost only. Nitrogen is available to gardeners
through organic sources. Animal waste such as chicken manure contains high amounts
of nitrogen that is used by Lemon trees after it is well composted
Insects – Aphids, mealybugs, thrips, whiteies, cutworms, and scale insects are some of
the insects that damage Lemon plants. These insects cause varying degrees of damage
but normally will leave the leaves wilted, curled, discolored, and distorted. The damaged
plant leaves may fall from the citrus tree prematurely. Leaf rollers eat plant leaves and
mature fruit and roll plant leaves up, securing them with a silky thread. By using oil spray
effectively to control the insects, the pest should be entirely covered with the oil.blems in Lemon trees can be controlled effectively with biological
control methods. Normally, bio-control methods and agents help to decrease the level of
pests rather than to eradicate them. Pest and disease management in organic Lemon
farming relies on priority on indirect control methods. Favorable conditions are;
Resistant varieties;
Mosaic of production units;
Diversity of crops and diverse habitat;
Local availability of bio-control agents etc.
The cost of one acre is estimated to be Rs 40 to 50 thousand and the income is expected to be Rs 3 to 400000.
