Stage of

growth

Age of
the tree
(yr)
0

Vegetativ
1
e Stage
2
3
4
5

Type of
fertilizer

Rate
Frequency of
Kg/tree/yr Application

CIRP
Organic
fertilizer
NPK
15:15:15
OR
NPK
15:15:16:4

0.2
5 - 10

At planting

0.5
1.0
2.0

4 times a
year at the
start of wet
season
3 times a
year after
weeding

3.0
4.0
2-4

Bearing
Stage

Organic
fertilizer
67
NPK
8 10
12:12:17:2
Above 11 +TE
OR
NPK
13:13:20:2
+TE
Organic
fertilizer

6
7
8
5- 10

3 times a
year
1. of the
amount
12
months
before
flowerin
g
2. The
next
at fruit
set
3. The
remaini
ng

after
harvest

Fertilizer application
The rate of fertilizer for durian depends on the soil fertility status, the ages of the
tree, the health status as well as the size of the tree. Durian trees which are below 6
years of age are given a higher dosage of nitrogen while bearing trees are given
higher potassium to support the growth an development of the fruits.

Applying Fertilizers
Note: Fertilizer ratios and rates suggested in this section are general recommendations. Do
not use these guidelines as absolute figures.

After pruning, apply complete fertilizer with ratio 15:15:15; 16:16:16; or 20:20:20

Fertilizer amount or rate (usually 2-3 kg/tree) depends on tree vigor.

Incorporate fertilizers along the canopy drip line.

Apply organic fertilizer at the rate of 10-20 kg/tree, according to tree size.

Apply express or foliar fertilizer to immature fruits that are hanging on the trees
(See Note).
Check soil for phytophthera and termites.

Fertilizers placed in pockets around the tree

Fertilizers placed in a trench

along the drip-line

It also listed down three common tree growth habits as follows:

The following are crown or canopy shapes of some of the popular Malaysian durian clones:

The popular clone D24 or "Sultan" has a semi-circular or dome shaped canopy.

Cone-shaped canopies of clones D145, D123 and D169

Durian clone D159 is cone-shaped while clone D158 is elliptical shaped.

Clone D199 is similar to D24 and has a semi-circular or dome shaped canopy

Table 1: Tree Characteristics of Popular Durian Cultivars

From Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia

Why Prune Durian?

Durian trees are pruned to:

develop a strong tree structure and vigorous canopy shape that

facilitate horticultural practices and enhance fruit production and quality;
and

ensure trees are vigorous and healthy and at least risk to diseases and
insects.
In a durian orchard, during the first few years after planting in the field, the young durian
trees are pruned or trained by removing vertical laterals or branches. Pruning dominant
upright branches to maintain one central leader and a well-balanced canopy is essential to
establish a strong tree structure for maximum fruit production.

Pruning or thinning out undesirable branches or laterals and establishing a well-balanced

branch spread around the trunk ensure free circulation of air and sunlight penetration
necessary for fruit buds to develop and fruit to mature properly. The common durian flowers
are ramiflorous, i.e. the flowers are borne along big branches that are capable of bearing
the weight of mature fruits. Durian trees bear fruit best on branches that are more or less
horizontal; upright branches contribute more to tree size and height.

The common durian are ramiflorous, i.e. the flowers and fruits are borne along big
branches
Topping or heading is pruning the main trunk to control tree height and branch spread so as
to facilitate many horticultural tasks such as spraying, hand pollination of flowers, fruit
thinning and harvesting.
Diseased or insect damaged branches must be pruned as soon as possible to prevent its
spread. Dead, broken and weak branches as well as water-shoots are regularly pruned
especially after the fruiting season.
b. Pruning

Trim all branches.

Prune all branches affected by pests and diseases.

Remove all dead and dry branches.

Apply copper oxide fungicide as protective/preventive measure at pruned surfaces.

Planting system
Various planting system are being used in durian cultivation such as:
Rectangular system
Planting system 12m X 12m (77 trees/ha)
Density recommended 67 trees/ha

Triangular system
Provide an extra 15% higher density than rectangular
Panting system 10.5m X 10.5m(100 trees/ha)
Density recommended 88 trees/ha
Normal practice is to plant multiple cones in an area in order to enhance cross-pollination
and increase fruit set. Example clone are D24, D98 and D114
For contour planting a distance of 10m is highly recommended as below description:

1. Square system: same distance between plants and

rows

formula: number of plant/hectare for 10 m X 10 m

= 10000/(10X10)
= 100

2. Triangular system: same planting distance between

every plant within the triangle

Formula : number of plants/hectare for 10 m X 10 m

= 10000 X 1.155/(10X10)
= 115

3. Rectangular system: closer distance between

plants than between rows

Formula: number of plant/hectare for 10m X 18 m

= 10000/(10X18)
= 55

4. Quincunx system: same as square while inserting

filter plants in-between rows

Field planting
1. Planting holes 0.6 m X 0.6 m are dug at the planting points after the process
of lining has been completed.
2. The holes are left exposed for 2 3 weeks.

3. Each planting hole is then incorporated with 200 g CIRP and 5 10 kg organic
fertilizer such as compost or animal dung and mixed with the top soil.
4. Budded seedlings is best carried out during the early period of wet season
5. It is important to expose the seedlings to the hardening process about 2
weeks before transplanting date in order to reduce transplanting shock.
6. Transplanting process must be carried out with extra care as not to disturb
root system.