Detailed Explanation of Key Cultivation and Management Techniques for Dongshi Early Pomelo

  I. Variety Characteristics and Traits

  Dongshi Early Pomelo is a very early-maturing superior pomelo variety selected by the Experimental Station of Dongfeng Farm in Xishuangbanna Prefecture in the late 1960s from variations of seedling pomelos. The Dongshi Early Pomelo tree is vigorous with an open tree posture, and the leaves are long and elliptical; the fruit is obovate, with an average single fruit weight of 1000-1300g, and the rind is yellow, easy to peel, with a thickness of 1.2-1.5cm. A single fruit contains more than 100 seeds, the flesh is pale yellow, fine and tender, melting in the mouth, with no off-flavor; the soluble solids content is 0.5%, and the acid content is 0.5g/100ml, giving excellent quality; it bears fruit early, with high and stable yields, and a 5-year-old tree can produce up to 200kg. The fruit ripens in late August.

  Adaptability and suitable planting areas: it is most suitable for planting in areas with an annual average temperature of 21°C, an annual active accumulated temperature of ≥10°C of 6500-8000°C, annual rainfall of 1000-2000mm, soil pH of 5.5-6.5, flat terrain, good drainage, loose soil, and deep, fertile soil layers.

Image: Pomelo

  II. Orchard Establishment and Cultivation of Dongshi Early Pomelo

  1) Site selection. Dongshi Early Pomelo prefers a humid natural environment. If developing on mountainous land, it is advisable to choose a mountain recess backed by a large mountain with forest at the summit for orchard establishment, with a slope below 30°, forming contour terraces at equal heights to prevent soil erosion and achieve the goals of water conservation, fertilizer conservation, and soil conservation.

  An orchard facing south or southeast is best, followed by northeast. High mountains, dry areas, and poor land are not suitable for orchard establishment.

  2) Land preparation and hole digging, with sufficient basal fertilizer applied.

  Digging holes should be done in winter, with a plant spacing of 4m×5m, and hole specifications of 1m×1m×0.6m. If conditions permit, digging trenches is even better. Apply 100kg of farmyard manure and 1.5kg of superphosphate per hole, mix with topsoil and fill in. The filled soil should be about 10cm above the ground to avoid the seedling sinking after planting due to soil settling. About 33 plants per mu should be planted.

  3) Planting season and method.

  Grafted seedlings should be planted before the spring shoots sprout or when the spring shoots mature (the Beginning of Summer). When planting, the graft union should be 7cm above the ground. On mountainous land, they should be planted in the middle of the terrace surface to facilitate root spread. Before transplanting, the seedling roots should first be dipped in yellow mud slurry. When transplanting, dig open the planting hole, place the seedling in the center, keep the plant upright, spread the roots out in all directions, then fill with topsoil and compact the soil, then water with settling water, and cover with loose soil. To prevent the soil from sinking or waterlogging, spread grass as mulch to help retain moisture. If conditions permit, it is best to transplant with soil. On sunny days, water continuously for 3-5d to ensure survival.