Mosambi is one of the sweet oranges grown for its pulp and juices. It belongs to the family of rutaceae and is the third largest fruit produced in India.
Mosambi is a small tree which can reach to a height of 20-25 feet with irregular branches and relatively smooth brownish -grey bark. Its leaves are compound with accumulate leaflets 6-17 cm long and 3-8cm wide. The flowers are white with excellent fragrance and its fruits are green but become light yellowish on ripening. Mosambi common names are; sweet lime, sweet lemon, sweet limetta or mouth MV.
Climate and soil requirements
For commercial mosambi cultivation, dry climatic conditions with about 60-75 mm of rainfall from June to September is required. Well drained loamy soils with a soil pH of between 6.5- 7.5 is needed for its optimal growth and higher yields.
Water logging is not recommended since it causes root rot which kills the plant. Planting should be done before rainy season. The bud union of the plant should be kept above the ground level.
Pruning and irrigation
For proper growth of the trunk, remove the shoot at 50-60 cm near ground level. The centre of mosambi plant should remain open. Make sure to remove water sucker at early stages of plant growth.
Watering should be done immediately after planting saplings of mosambi. During winter, irrigation should carried out every 3-4 days and in summer every alternate day. For best yields and plant growth, drip irrigation should be adopted.
Conditions for potting containers
Potting mixture is prepared by mixing good sandy loam with well decomposed farmyard manure in a 1:1 proportion. Add to this 300 G nitrogen, 100 G phosphorous and 200 G potassium. Supplement the mixture with a little quantity of wood ash.
