Improving Fruit Trees production In Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa.

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Improving Fruit Trees Production

In Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa

By

Ni Luh Arpiwi, S.Si, M.Sc., Ph.D.

NIDN: 0013087204

BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS AND BASIC SCIENCES

UDAYANA UNIVERSITY

2015

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1 Abstract

Fruit quality and quantity produced by trees growing in Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa facing some challenges and needs immediate solutions. Observation was conducted to the landscape to diagnose problems from each tree species. Careful attention was paid to fruits including number, size, color, shape, and damage. Assessment to the trees including age, sign of damage, number and size of branches, shading, and access to sunlight, tree architecture and leaf color. Soil sample were taken for nutrient analysis. Observation to the landscape that need tree filling was also performed to determine suitable species for different areas. Results indicated there are several problems causes low productivity and low fruit quality including excessive and wild branches, shading by other trees, overlap branches, high fruit bearing, poor soil nutrients, insect and pest damages. Some recommendations were discussed to overcome each problem as well as species recommendation suitable to fill some areas.

Introduction

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa is designed with Balinese architecture surrounded by gorgeous private beach. This hotel is very special due it unique tropical garden with varieties fruit species providing natural environment for the guest to enjoy. The concept of harmony between human and the environment is clearly offered by the green and fruity landscape which is the only one hotel featuring Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa.

Fruit tree growth and production are touched with tender loving care so that they produce nice juicy fruits all year around. The observation of fruit trees is one of the care programs for better quality and quantity of fruits produce by trees growing in Nusa Dua Beach Hotel landscape.

There are many fruit trees species have been growing in the hotel. However fruit size and quality are sometimes inconsistent. Some big trees produce small and little fruits while others have big and rare fruits. Many fruits rotted by insect particularly fruit flies. There are so many squirrels damaging the barks so the trees become less productive.

Fruit size can be increasing by improving standard cultural practice, including pruning, fertilizing, watering and the use of plant growth regulators, such as auxin (Guardiola and Garcia-Luis 2000). Fruit trees need to be pruned regularly to improve tree canopy, to stimulate young shoots to grow and to increase fruit size (Manzies 2004). There are two types of pruning, namely heading cuts and thinning cuts. Heading cuts removes the end of shoots or terminal buds to shorten the limbs.

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2 Terminal buds usually cause apical dominance where the bud inhibits the growth of other buds bellow the terminal. Therefore heading cuts results in the growth of new shoots just below point of cutting. Thinning cut on the other hand is the removal of all shoot up to the original growth point. The severity of pruning depends on the age of trees where younger tree need lighter pruning than older ones (Ingels et, al., 2002)

Fertilizing is required to give additional nutrients to the soil for the tree growth and development. Each species need different amount of fertilizer and the requirement can be analyzed by observing leaf color, growth and vigor of particular tree. The basic fertilizers of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are compulsory for normal growth and development. The time of application is recommended after flush of growth (McCall and Chia 1997).

Organic fertilizer is a carbon base nutrients obtain from remains or by-products of the living things, for examples manures, sludge, bone meal and cotton seed meal. They might contain nitrogen, phosphorous or potash and release to the soil slowly. There are some benefits of using organic over chemical fertilizers. Organic fertilizer is cheap and it can be produced locally by farmers using agricultural by-products. It is environmentally friendly because non-toxic (FiBL and IFOAM 2015)

Aims :

1. To know the health condition of fruit trees include signs of pests and diseases damaged

2. To check the condition of the fertility of fruit trees based on morphological appearance, color, of leaves and tree architecture.

3. To examine the fruits in terms of size, colors, shapes and sign of damage that reflects the health condition of the fruit.

4. To identify the problems inhibiting production of fruits.

5. To overcome the problems so that fruit production can be improved and enhanced its quality and quantity.

The outcome

Recommendation on ways to address the problems, including 1. Ways to improve soil fertility

2. Ways to improve architecture of trees

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3 4. Methods to handle pest especially fruit flies and diseases

5. Choices of fruit species that suitable for fillers or barriers

Methods

Location and time

This research take place in Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa located in Bali Tourism & Development Center for 5 months from August to December 2015.

Procedures

First step is to observe the fruit trees growing in the landscape of the hotel which are spread into several locations in the landscape. This was done by walking around the landscape. Observation and checking to each fruit trees including :

1. Counting the number of tree of the same species in each location 2. Measuring the age of the tree

3. Observing on health status of trees including number and size of branches, signs of pest and insect damage, tree architecture.

4. Counting fruit number, fruit size, color, shape and sign of fruit damage. 5. Taking soil samples for nutrient analysis.

6. Checking leaves color for nutrient status of the tree

7. Identifying some areas that need to be filled with suitable tree species

Result

Observations has been conducted in the area of landscaping Nusa Dua Beach Hotel showed that there are 13 areas of fruit tree plantation with 29 species presented in the table 1. Problems have been identified for each species.

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4 Table 1. Result of observation of fruit tree species in Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa

No Area Fruit species Number of trees

Age

(year) Problems

Manggo "madu" 1 8 bark has been damaged by squirel

Sawo 1 8

bark has been damaged by squirel, some branches are touching frangipani tree in the

left and right sides Manggo "apel" 1 8 Few and small fruit size

Kedongdong 1 5 Bearing only 2 fruits and small size

Rose apple (big tree) 1 15

bark has been damaged by squirel, many unproductive

branches Rose apple (small trees) 3 1,5 None

Bali citrus 3 1,5

Needs addition fruit trees in this area, no enough sunlight in

this area due to shading by a big tree

Sunkis 2 1,5

No enough sunlight due to shading by a big tree Kafir Lime 2 5 Baering too many small size

fruits, few fruits are big

Banana many None

3 Nusa Dua

Wing Room Sawo 1 5 Few and small size fruits

Bali Citrus 1 5 Bearing 2 fruits

Pomegranate 6 1,5

Tree architecture is not good, trees grow to tall with few

branches Dragon Fruit 4 1.5 None Manggo "apel" 5 Bearing few fruits Manggo " madu" 10 None

Pineapple

1.5

They are not growing well, soil at 15 depth poor nutrients

Guava

1.5

Leaves sligthly yellow indicating N deficiency, some

branches need pruning

Sugar Apple

1.5

Leaves sligthly yellow indicating N deficiency, trees

are not fertlile

5 Mushola Manggo "madu" 1 5

Dead branch, unhealthy and unfertile tree, bearing one little

fruit

Rear of Lagoon Garden

Coconut many Need additional fruit trees

2 Wedang Jahe Nusa Dua Garden Rear Open Stage 1 4

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No Area Fruit species Number of trees

Age

(year) Problems

Soursop Very few and small fruit,

unfertile and small tree

Cermai 1 5 None

Jack Fruit (small pant) 3 1,5 th

yellow and few leaves, unfertile little plant, soil at

15 cm depth consist of pig Jack Fruit (big tree) 2 8 th Too many unproductive

branches

Star Fruit (Big tree) 2 6 th

Many small fruits, plastic wrap for fruits unsuitable because it traps water, heat and bad circulation

Star Fruit (small tree) 2 None

Sawo 2 7th many small size fruits

Mangga madu 2 1,5th None

Mangga madu None

Badung 1 5th Thin tree

Juwet

thin tree, bearing few and small size fruits

Lemon 1 3 No fruit

Sawo 2

Need addition fruit trees in this area to block view

to Sofitel

Sawo 4

Manggo "harum

manis" 1

Manggo "madu" 2

Star Fruit

Plastic wrap for fuit unsuitble because it traps

water, heat and bad ir circulation Cermai 1 Kelecung 1 Kesambi 1 Sawo 1 Boni 1 Bekul 1 Agung Garden 7

Need addition fruit trees in this area to block view

to Sofitel None Puri Agung Agung Spa Garden 9 10 Tempel Garden 8

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6 Discussion and Recommendation

Most of fruit tree species have problems leading to small size fruits and or few numbers of fruits. Problems are addressed according to the species.

1. SAWO

No Area Fruit species Number of trees

Age

(year) Problems

Star Fruit

Unfertile star fruit is growing in the edge of swimming pool, bearing

small size fruits, leaves turns slightly pale

Bali Citrus None

Manggo "bukit" Shaded by Angsana tree Manggo "harum manis" None Soursop Manggo "manalagi" Sugar Apple Dewandaru Kaffir Lime

Rose apple "jamaica" 2

Longan 2 Duku 1 Boni 1 Staff House Triangle Lagoon pool Spa None

Duku leaves turn yellow

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7 Problems :

1. The tree are bearing too many fruits therefore there are no enough resources to fill the growing fruits resulted in small size.

2. Some branches are touching frangipani tree in the left and right sides Recommendtions :

1. Remove small size fruits, leavings 3-4 fruit per branch in the early stage of fruit initiation.

2. Prune frangipani tree so that no overlapping branches with sawo

2. MANGGO “ APEL”

Problems :

1. Very few number of fruits and small size

2. Too many wild and unproductive stems and these blocks light interception create bad air circulation and take too much nutrients. Fewer nutrients available for fruit initiation and filling.

Recommendation :

1. Remove wild and unproductive branches so that air circulation and light are evenly distributed

2. Apply fruit stimulant “PATROL” with dose according to manufacturer instruction.

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3. GUAVA

Problems with GUAVA:

1. Many leaves are damaged by grasshopper leaving holes 2. White aphids infecting leaves

3. Bearing few and small size fruits

4. Leaves slightly yellow indicating N deficiency

5. Tree architecture is not good, few loose branches and one tree is too tall. Recommendations :

1. Spray with organic pesticide to control grasshopper and white aphid.

2. Apply fertilizer containing N, P, K, organic compost and fruit stimulant with dose according to manufacturer instruction.

3. Prune excessively tall branch so that the trees become compact and look good.

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Problems with pineapple:

1. They are not growing well, soil at 15 depths showing brown color. This indicates poor nutrients.

2. Competition for nutrients between pineapple and mango tree

Recommendations

1. Remove pineapple plants to the north, about 2 m away from mango tree 2. Add organic compost, fertilizer N, P, K to the mango tree

3. Add 5-6 biopori around mango tree for water and composting organic materials.

5. SUGAR APPLE

Problems :

1. Leaves turn yellow and necrotic indicating insufficient nutrient especially nitrogen

2. Tree is not fertile and thin Recommendations:

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10 6. DRAGON FRUIT

Problems

1. Most trees are not growing well / grow very slowly 2. One tree is turning yellow

3. Shading by coconut and ornament trees Recommendations

1. Relocate dragon fruit trees to open space with full access to sunlight 2. Growing media : 30% sand, 30% compost and the rest is existing soil mix 3. Plant dragon fruit with a post (see the picture of post below)

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11 7. ROSE APPLE

Problems :

1. Very few and small size fruits

2. Too many wild and unproductive branches that inhibit air circulation, light penetration and lose of nutrients taken by these branches

Recommendation :

1. Remove wild and unproductive branches

2. Apply fruit stimulant with dose according to manufacturer instruction

8. KAFFIR LIME

Problems with Kaffir Lime:

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12 2. Leaves turning pale

3. Tree architecture is not good. .

Recommendations:

1. Remove some small size fruits in the early stage of fruit initiation 2. Apply fertilizer contining N, P, K and organic compost.

9. POMEGRANATE

Problems :

1. Trees are too high and branches are not compact 2. Trees look less fertile

3. Few number of fruit in each tree

4. Plastic wrap for fruit is not suitable because it traps water, heat and bad air circulation

Recommendation:

1. Prune unnecessary branches to stimulate the growth of new young branches. 2. Pull shoot tip down to make a good looking and compact tree

3. Apply fertilizer containing N, P, K, organic compost and fruit stimulant with doe according to manufacturer instruction.

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10.

STAR FRUIT

Problems of small plant: infertile, leaves turn yellow, soil at 15 cm depth contains pig dung which not good for young growing tree. It releases hot gas and it can kill the young tree.

Problems of big trees

1. Trees bearing many small size fruits and few big fruits.

2. Many fruits grow on the branch tips.

3. Sign of fruit flies damaged on fruits

4. Plastic wrap is unsuitable because it traps water and heat.

Problems of tree growing on the edge of the pool 1. Bearing very few and small fruits

2. Leaves turn yellow

3. Canopy is not compact and tree looks unfertile.

4. The place of growing is not suitable because the roots are saturated by water, blocked by brick and probably nutrients are washed out.

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Recommendations: For small plant :

1. Remove growing media containing pig dung from the small tree and replace with organic compost

2. Apply fertilizer containing N, P, K.

For big tree:

1. Place traps for fruit flies using PETROGENOL packed in mineral water bottle during early stage of fruit initiation.

2. Remove small fruits especially for those growing on the branch tips, and keep fruits that grow on the

For tree growing in the edge of the pool :

1. Relocating the big tree is hard and might kill the tree

2. Alternative solution : apply fertilizer containing N, P, K, organic compost and fruit stimulant without relocating the tree.

11.JACK FRUIT

Problems: the plant is dying with 3 yellow leaves Recommendations :

1. Check the soil by digging 15 cm depth and observe if there are any fungi. If so, replace the soil by organic compost that has been properly fermented

2. After checking we found that the soil at 15 cm depth mostly contains pig dung. So it needs to be removed because pig dung creates hot gas and it kills the tree. It needs to be replaced by organic compost

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15 12.SOURSOP

13. BEKUL

Problems :

1. Tree is not fertile

2. Leaves turn yellow indicating deficiency in nutrients.

3. Bearing only one and small fruit Recommendations:

Apply fertilizer containing N, P, K, organic compost and fruit stimulant.

Problems :

1. Tree is slightly lining 2. Branches are not compact

3. Bearing only 1-2 and small fruits.

Recommendations:

1. Prune some branches to stimulate the grow of new young shoots

2. Apply fertilizer containing N, P, K , organic compost and fruit stimulant

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16 14.DUKU

15.BALI CITRUS AND LEMON

Problems : leaves turn yellow

Recommendtions : apply nitrogen and compost fertilizer that has been properly fermented

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17 Problems BALI CITRUS AND LEMON TREE :

1. Tree is thin and less fertile 2. Some leaves turn yellow

3. Bearing only two and small size fruits Recommendations:

1. Prune unproductive branches to stimulate the growth of new young shoots 2. Apply fertilizer containing N, P, K, organic compost and fruit stimulant

16.SAWO growing in the second floor of Nusa Dua Room Wing

Problems: Tree bearing many and small size fruits

Recommendations:

1. Replace a half volume of soils with new one every 1-2 years 2. Apply fertilizer containing N, P, K and organic compost 3. Water regularly especially during dry season

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18 17.MANGGO tree that grow in the third floor near the Mushola

Recommendtion of fruit tree species for filling and bordering

1. NUSA DUA GARDEN

Description of the area: slightly shaded with plummeria and palm trees

Problems:

1. A dead branch 2. Tree is unfertile

3. Tree bearing only one and small fruit Recommendations:

1. Remove the dead branch

2. Replace a half volume of soils with new one every 1-2 years with new fertile soil

3. Apply fertilizer containing N, P, K, organic compost and fruit stimulant.

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19 Species recommended to be planted in NUSA DUA GARDEN : ROSE APLLE

Rose Apple “Jamaica” is recommended because this species needs slight shading for healthy and optimum growth.

Relocate sunkis and bali citrus from Nusa Dua Garden to Lagoon Pool Spa and replace with Rose Apple Jamaica

This is because the Nusa Dua Garden do not get enought sunlight for the citrus and sunkis to grow well.

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20 2. TEMPLE GARDEN

Description of the area : open area with some coconut and ornamental plants

Species recommended to be planted in TEMPLE GARDEN: 1. Gandaria

2. Nangkadak (Cross bteween Jack Fruit and Cempedak) 3. Nangka

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21 5. LAGOON GARDEN

Coconut pandan wangi has small fruit size but the flesh is always young and soft regardless the age of the fruit. The coconut milk has pandan fragrance flavor. These characteristics make the species is very special.

6. AGUNG GARDEN

Jack fruits are recommended to plant in AGUNG GARDEN as border trees to bock view to Sofitel.

Co onut pandan wangi

Description of the area: open space with coconut trees and good light light distribution

Species recommended to be planted in LAGOON GARDEN :

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22 Conclusion

1. Generally fruit trees are healthy, however some problems have been identified including insect and squirrel damaged.

2. Bad soil management contributes to the low soil fertility, this includes the use of pig dung that killed young trees. Soils need to be ploughed to help air and water circulation

3. Problems cause low fruit qualities include fruit damage by fruit flies and inappropriate fruit wrap for protector.

4. There are some problems identified that cause low productivity of fruit trees, including the growth of wild and excessive branches, trees bear too many fruits, overlap branches between trees, inadequate sunlight, bark damage by squirrels and low soil fertility.

5. Tree management is also causes low productivity and bad tree architecture. Some branches need to be pruned so that the tree become compact and it stimulates the growth of new young shoots.

6. Some solutions have been offered to overcome problems including the use of petrogenol to trap fruit flies, the use of suitable fruit wrap to protect fruit from insect damage, thinning the fruits number per trees, pruning wild and excessive branches, the use of organic fertilizer, relocate some trees to get better access of sunlight.

7. Some recommendations have been made for filling some areas with suitable fruit trees.

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23 References

FiBL and IFOAM (2015) The World of Organic Agriculture. Organic International.

Guardiola JL and Garcia-Luis L (2000) Increasing Fruit Size in Citrus. Thinning and Stimulation of Fruit Growth. Plant Growth Regulation 31: 121-13

Ingels C, Geisel PM, Unruh CL (2002) Fruit Trees: Training and Pruning Deciduous Trees. Publication number 8057. Regents of The University of California, Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources.

Manzies R (2004) Increasing Cherry Fruit Size. NSW Department of Primary Industries. Agfac H5.4.2

McCall WW and Chia CL (1997) Fertilizers for Fruit Trees in the Home Garden. CTHAR Fact Sheet Home Garden No 37

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18 17.MANGGO tree that grow in the third floor near the Mushola

Recommendtion of fruit tree species for filling and bordering

1. NUSA DUA GARDEN

Description of the area: slightly shaded with plummeria and palm trees

Problems:

1. A dead branch 2. Tree is unfertile

3. Tree bearing only one and small fruit Recommendations:

1. Remove the dead branch

2. Replace a half volume of soils with new one every 1-2 years with new fertile soil

3. Apply fertilizer containing N, P, K, organic compost and fruit stimulant.

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19 Species recommended to be planted in NUSA DUA GARDEN : ROSE APLLE

Rose Apple “Jamaica” is recommended because this species needs slight shading for healthy and optimum growth.

Relocate sunkis and bali citrus from Nusa Dua Garden to Lagoon Pool Spa and replace with Rose Apple Jamaica

This is because the Nusa Dua Garden do not get enought sunlight for the citrus and sunkis to grow well.

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2. TEMPLE GARDEN

Description of the area : open area with some coconut and ornamental plants

Species recommended to be planted in TEMPLE GARDEN: 1. Gandaria

2. Nangkadak (Cross bteween Jack Fruit and Cempedak) 3. Nangka

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5. LAGOON GARDEN

6. AGUNG GARDEN

Jack fruits are recommended to plant in AGUNG GARDEN as border trees to bock view to Sofitel.

Co onut pandan wangi

Description of the area: open space with coconut trees and good light light distribution

Species recommended to be planted in LAGOON GARDEN : Co onut “pandan wangi

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22 Conclusion

1. Generally fruit trees are healthy, however some problems have been identified including insect and squirrel damaged.

2. Bad soil management contributes to the low soil fertility, this includes the use of pig dung that killed young trees. Soils need to be ploughed to help air and water circulation

3. Problems cause low fruit qualities include fruit damage by fruit flies and inappropriate fruit wrap for protector.

5. Tree management is also causes low productivity and bad tree architecture. Some branches need to be pruned so that the tree become compact and it stimulates the growth of new young shoots.

7. Some recommendations have been made for filling some areas with suitable fruit trees.

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23 References

FiBL and IFOAM (2015) The World of Organic Agriculture. Organic International.

Guardiola JL and Garcia-Luis L (2000) Increasing Fruit Size in Citrus. Thinning and Stimulation of Fruit Growth. Plant Growth Regulation 31: 121-13

Manzies R (2004) Increasing Cherry Fruit Size. NSW Department of Primary Industries. Agfac H5.4.2

McCall WW and Chia CL (1997) Fertilizers for Fruit Trees in the Home Garden. CTHAR Fact Sheet Home Garden No 37

Improving Fruit Trees production In Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa.