Nepal is country with high possibility of walnut (Okhar) production. But there is very less Cultivation of walnut in upper hilly and mountains region of Nepal .Jumla , mugu , Humla , kalikot are the major producer of walnut in Nepal.
CULTIVATION PRACTICES
1) Climatic requirement :
Walnut required cool and moist temperatures of about 18-30 degree Celsius for completing its life cycle. Walnut can be also grown in the region between the altitude of 1000-4000 meter .
2)Soil requirement :
Walnut required well drained, partially aerated , alkaline loam soil containing high organic matters . Ph range of 6 -7 is best suitable for good walnut production.
3)Planting distance :
Walnut trees grows wide and high so planting distance should be maintained. Planting distance of 10×10 m2 is required for seed plantation whereas distance of 7×7 m2 is required for vegetative plantation.
4)Fertilizers requirement :
For commercial production of okhar good fertilization of soil is necessary. Also 50-100 kg of FYM and 400-200-200 gm of NPK is supplied per walnut tree . Also All dose of FYM and half dose of NPK is applied in new growth plant and the remaining dose of NPK is supplied after harvesting.
5)Traning and pruning:
Traning and pruning are important practices to be done for good walnut production. Walnut are generally trained by central leader or modified leader system whereas thinning out system of pruning is done .
6) Irrigation :
Walnut required cool and moist condition so irrigation should be provided during dry season. Walnut required More irrigation during fruit production.
PROPAGATION METHOD IN WALNUT
Walnut can be propagated by seed or vegetative method . Also In commercial farms walnut are propagated by Patch budding and veneer grafting. In budding and grafting process, rootstock of J . regia and J hindsii are used . Top working can be performed in okhar .
Types of walnut found in Nepal
1) Hard shelled (हाडे ओखर): They are wild type walnut with hard shell including less amount of nut .
2) Soft shelled (दाते ओखर ): They are cultivated by grafting with hard shelled walnut. Also They are high yielding and have high economic value.
