Effect of pruning intensity on growth, yield and fruit quality characteristics of ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.) cv. Gola

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of pruning intensity on growth, yield and fruit quality characteristics of ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.) cv. Gola” was carried out at the Main Experiment Station, Department of Horticulture, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Narendra Nagar (Kumarganj), Faizabad (U.P.) during the year 2009–2010. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with four treatments and replicated in four times. The maximum plant height and plant spread was measured with 50% pruning intensity, but differences were found non-significant, while number of sprouted shoots per branch and shoot length varied significantly due to various pruning intensities. The various maximum yield attributing characters were obtained with 50% pruning intensity. The maximum (109.21 kg per plant) fruit yield has been achieved by employing 50% severity of pruning. The highest (75%) severity of pruning has been adjudged as supra-optimal level of pruning severity (negative effect) in increasing fruit yield. Significantly higher total soluble solids (T.S.S.) and vitamin-c has been analyzed in fruits with 50% severity of pruning followed by 25% pruning intensity and lowest noted in control, while acidity of fruits varied non-significantly. The highest reducing and non-reducing sugars, and total sugar of fruits have been analyzed by 50% pruning intensity and lowest one in control but variations were found non-significant in above all biochemical parameters. The maximum plant growth achieved through devised more open tree canopy mechanism which paved the way for significant enhancement of yield attributing characters (fruit set and fruit retention with bold-fruit size and weight) and ultimately better yield having improved quality of fruits have been achieved by employing moderate severity of pruning (50%) under optimum pruning time condition (3rd week of May).