Effect of Pruning Intensities on the Performance of Fruit Plants under Mid-Hill Condition of Eastern Himalayas: Case Study on Guava

Abstract

Current study was undertaken to highlight the effect of pruning on improving vigor of old orchards and increasing performance in terms of fruit yield and quality under water and nutrient stressed condition of mid hills of Eastern Himalaya. Guava was taken for the case study and all the physical and chemical properties of the fruits and other attributes of plant were evaluated using standard methods under three pruning intensities (light, moderate and severe) and no pruning. The emergence of bud was earliest in severe pruning, number of buds per shoot was highest with light pruning and cumulative lengths of new shoots were found to be highest in severe pruning. Fruit yield, size and weight were found to increase with pruning intensities and lowest in case of no pruning. Regarding chemical properties, total soluble solids and total sugar found to increase with enhanced pruning severity and least in case of no pruning. Acidity was found to be highest with no pruning and decrease with increase in pruning intensities. Overall pruning found to have rejuvenating impact on aged trees due to better light interception leading to better photosynthetic rate, better nutrient and water supply with reduced canopy and better quality yields.