Abstract
A field study was conducted to examine the effect of heading back of pear plants on photosynthesis, yield and fruit quality in pear trees cv. ‘Patharnakh’. Plants were maintained at heights of 1.0 m, 1.5 m, 2.0 m, 2.5 m and 3.0 m from ground level by removing top of the canopy during dormant season, while the control trees were not given any pruning treatment. The photosynthesis rate (Pn) and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) were taken from April to July at fortnightly interval. Highest Pn of leaves trees was observed at morning time and it showed a positive relationship with PAR received. Both increased with advancement in season and recorded maximum in the 2 nd fortnight of June, thereafter declined slightly. PAR and Pn increased with intensity of the pruning. Upper canopy of all the treatments recorded highest photosynthesis rate. Fruit yield per tree increased as the pruning height was raised and was recorded maximum in 2.5 m level of pruning. Fruit size enlarged linearly with the intensity of pruning. Pruning treatment improved soluble solids content of fruit.
Highlights
Among different pear varieties, Patharnakh pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) is extensively grown, due to its wider adaptability to sub-tropical conditions of north-westren India
When maintained under modified leader system tree attain large size that leads to shading within tree canopy and the bearing shifts to outer parts while the interior of tree becomes less productive resulting in poor quality fruits and decreased yield per unit area
The natural tendency of pear tree is to grow upright with strong central leader and suppressing lateral buds (Das, 2010)
Summary
Patharnakh pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) is extensively grown, due to its wider adaptability to sub-tropical conditions of north-westren India Trees of this cultivar have been trained to modified leader system and planted at tree density of 180 plants per hectare. When maintained under modified leader system tree attain large size that leads to shading within tree canopy and the bearing shifts to outer parts while the interior of tree becomes less productive resulting in poor quality fruits and decreased yield per unit area. The shaded canopy with high interception lowers fruit production and quality (Wagenmakers, 1989). The most commonly used approach for improving light interception include planting design, pruning and training of the trees ( Jackson, 1980). The study was conducted with the objective to determine effect of pruning on photosynthesis within the plant canopy, yield and quality of Patharnakh pear
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