Effect of winter pruning on some fruit characteristics of apricot trees Prunus armeniaca L. c.v. Labeeb -1-

Abstract

This study was conducted in the apricot orchard , Horticultural Department , College of Agriculture – University of Baghdad . Abu Ghraib . during the growing seasons of 2008 – 2009. Apricot trees Labeeb – 1 cultivar, four year old were used . The study included two methods of pruning , the first method was thinning (t) and the second method was heading (h) , in each method three level of pruning was used no pruning ( t1or h1 ) , removing 25 % (t2 or h2) or 33 % ( t3 or h3) branches of the trees . Each treatment replicated three times at Factorial Experiment with RCBD . pruning was done during February on the branches with 6 cm long and over. The experimental results showed that thinning 33% and heading 25% of branches (t3h2) significantly gave the highest fruit set percentage of 16.96 and 26.37% and the highest yield per trees of 22.18 and 30.03 Kg/ trees and the highest average fruit Wight of 18.93 and 20.46 g/fruit and fruit size of 19.49 and 21.67 cm3/ fruit and highest T.S.S of 18.50 and 19.60% for both seasons respectively, while the lowest value of these parameters were found in the control treatment. The total fruit acidity does not influenced by method of pruning.