Growth Performances of Durians in Field

To grow durian is not as easy to grow oil palms, rubber or bananas. Durian need extra care especially planting in the field. You can not take things for granted that once you have  planted that's all. Attention must be given for at least every week so that the plant established its growth. Some of the critical factor is water; too much or too little water might affect the growth.  Durian roots may easily rot due too much water particularly in waterlogged condition where water is not drained and stay stagnant. On the other hand, too little water may cause leaves to dry and wither which later wilting takes place. Then, precautions must be taken in dry weather condition such as mulching the plants which means to cover the surrounding areas planted using composts or dry gasses or leaves.

Grafted Durian Seedlings Problems in Nursery

There are many problems encountered in grafted seedlings in the nursery. The time taken for bud growth in the nursery undergoes many conditions such water shortage , malnutrient , pest, diseases problems etc. Obvious symptoms where plants had  dry stem and leaves fallen  is due to  lack of water.  Durian seedlings is very sensitive to shortage of water. However, water uptake can be estimated by several methods.  I calculate water consumption of plants by using 'actual  evapotranspiration (aET)' technique.

Malnutrition is another common problem such Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K) deficiency. These deficiencies are mainly due to mobile ions in plants.

N deficiency in durian seedlings

K deficiency in durian seedling

Water problem

Salt problem (maybe Na or Cl toxicity)

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.