Mandarin Orange

सुन्तला (Suntala)

📖 Citrus reticulata L.

Verified Agricultural Data (NARC) Fruits 📅 Kartik (कार्तिक) – Poush (पुष) 🌡️ 12–28°C ⚗️ pH 5.5–6.5 ⏱️ Perennial tree crop

Growing Season & Schedule

🌱

Recommended Growing Window: Kartik (कार्तिक) – Poush (पुष)

Grafted saplings bear fruits in 3 to 4 years, seedling trees in 5 to 7 years. Ripens in Kartik to Poush in mid-hills (800-1400m). Trees yield fruit for 25 to 40 years under proper orchard management.

Description & Overview

Major cash orchard fruit in Nepal mid-hills (Syngja, Dhankuta, Gorkha, Lamjung). Thin-skinned, sweet-acid balanced fruit ripening for winter harvest.

Details & Agronomic Insights

🌟 Positive Attributes & Health Benefits

Rich in Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), hesperidin, folate, potassium, and pectin fiber. Boosts cellular immunity, assists iron absorption, and supports skin collagen synthesis.

⚠️ Precautions & Adverse Notes

Citric acid may aggravate gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) in sensitive individuals; acidic juice can erode tooth enamel if not rinsed with water.

🐛 Major Diseases & Pests

Citrus Greening (HLB transmitted by Asian Citrus Psyllid), Citrus Canker (Xanthomonas citri), Phytophthora Foot Rot / Gummosis, and Fruit Fly.

💊 Disease & Pest Solutions

Control citrus psyllids using Imidacloprid (0.5 mL/L) or yellow sticky traps to prevent incurable HLB greening spread.
Paint tree trunks up to 60 cm with Bordeaux paste (1:1:10 copper sulfate, lime, water) twice a year to prevent Phytophthora gummosis.
Spray Streptocycline (1 g/10 L) + Copper Oxychloride (2.5 g/L) against citrus canker on leaves and twigs.
Collect and deeply bury fallen fruit fly stung oranges daily.

🧪 Fertilizer & Nutrition Recommendations

Bearing tree (5+ years): 40-50 kg FYM/compost, 500g Nitrogen, 250g Phosphorus, 500g Potash per tree annually. Apply in circular trench under canopy drip line in Falgun and Asar.

Planting & Cultivation Guide

🌱 Planting Method Direct Seeding

📏 Seed Depth 2.0 cm

↔️ Seed Spacing 30.0 cm

📐 Row Spacing 60.0 cm

🪱 Soil Type Well-drained fertile loam

💧 Water Requirement Medium (450-600 mm, regular watering)

☀️ Sunlight 7-8 hours direct sun

🧪 NPK Dose 100:60:40 NPK kg/ha

Climate & Altitude Requirements

⛰️ Altitude Range 100–2000 m

🗺️ Suitable Regions Terai, Mid-Hills

🌡️ Temperature Range 12–28°C

⚗️ Optimal pH 5.5–6.5

Harvest Information & Yield

⏱️ Maturity Days Perennial tree crop

📦 Expected Yield 15 - 25 t/ha

🔍 Harvest Indicators:

Harvest when crop reaches optimal market maturity and full color

Crop Photo Gallery

सुन्तला (Suntala) (Primary Photo)

Seasonal Calendar — रोप्ने पात्रो

Activity / कार्य	Start Month (BS)	End Month (BS)	Region / क्षेत्र	Gregorian Window
🌱 Sowing	असोज (Ashwin)	कार्तिक (Kartik)	All Nepal	September - November
🌾 Harvesting	मंसिर (Mangsir)	माघ (Magh)	All Nepal	November - January

Quick Reference

Verified

🌱 Method Direct Seeding

📅 Season Kartik (कार्तिक) – Poush (पुष)

⏱️ Matures Perennial tree crop

💧 Water Medium (450-600 mm, regular watering)

☀️ Sunlight 7-8 hours direct sun

🪱 Soil Well-drained fertile loam

🗺️ Regions Terai, Mid-Hills

🌡️ Temp 12–28°C

⚗️ pH 5.5–6.5

📏 Depth 2.0 cm

📦 Yield 15 - 25 t/ha

📅 Planting Calendar 🩺 Plant Doctor AI

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