Assessment of Lime and Lemon Production in Nepal

Abstract

A survey was undertaken to assess the state of art of production, scale of plantation and genetic diversity of lime and lemon in Nepal during 2000/01. Lime and lemon were extensively distributed throughout the mid hills stretching from Ilam district in the east to Darchula district in the far west of the country. Out of total plantations, 80 percent was lime plantations. Over 76 percent of lime and 23 percent of lemon trees were recently planted. Average size of holding was 45 trees per orchards for lime and lemon. Over 60 percent of orchards were grown as secondary enterprises. Most of the orchards were under rainfed conditions in marginal lands with poor management. Varieties were local landraces. The finding revealed that the maximum production of lime and lemon was 235 and 147 kg per tree per year, respectively. Off-season production was negligible. Blossom and fruit drops due to a long spell of drought and strong hailstorms during flowering and fruiting season as well as citrus green stink bug, shoot borer, leaf miner, lemon butterfly, and citrus aphid were the major problems. Similarly, die-back, citrus canker, gummosis, and tristiza virus were known as serious diseases in the country. The findings revealed a great potentiality of exploiting indigenous genetic resources and existing domestic market opportunities for both main as well as off-season lime production. This offers for viable economic opportunities to help improving economic conditions of small and commercial farmers particularly to the hill districts of the country.

J. Inst. Agric. Anim. Sci. 23:49-58