Vital Points In Establishment of Durian Plantation

Before anyone who wants to embark on durian planting he or she should aware of a few things.

1. Land and climatic suitability

2. Land rehabilitation and  preparation

3. Irrigation and water source

The three elements are very basic and crucial to be  considered if the planting remains sustainably successful. They interact closely with each other in for plant growth. 

For example land , its series and chemical analysis should be known . The topography of the land which means the gradient of the land. There are certain degrees that land can be cultivated.

Crop suitability against soil gradient

Terrain Class	Slope (0)	Crop  Suitability
C1	0-20	ü  Suitable for suitable for short term crops
C2	2-60	ü  Suitable for medium term crops ü  Suitable for perennial crops
C3	6-120	ü  Not suitable for suitable for short term crops ü  Suitable for medium term crops ü  Suitable for perennial crops
C4	12-200	ü  Not suitable for suitable for short term crops ü  Not  suitable for medium term crops ü  Suitable for perennial crops
C5	20-250
C6	>250	ü  Not suitable for agriculture

As far as climate is concerned, the trend in rainfall pattern should be known so that water can supplied at the correct time.

In Malaysia, the country is endowed with good tropical climate characterized by high rainfall and temperatures throughout the year. Climatic variations follow the influence of the monsoon winds. The northeast monsoon blows from December to March, while the southeast monsoon occurs around June to October. The total average annual precipitation is an estimated 2,722 mm. There are two rainy seasons: from mid September to January and from mid April to mid July which had rainfall of 230 to 330 mm/month and between 200 mm/month, respectively. The dry months are March and August, of which both months received 150 mm/month. Similar trends followed with the number of raindays i.e 10 raindays per month. Reports showed the temperature is relatively uniform throughout the year, with an annual average of 27.9 °C, ranging from 23.8 to 32.1 °C. The drought months of March to April  and mid July  to August are the warmest. Owing to high temperatures and rainfall, humidity is high throughout the year with an average of 82 percent.