Pruning effects on Sardar guava planted in ultra high density orcharding under different rainfall scenarios

Abstract

The Eastern plateau and hills agro-climatic zone of India has been a traditional guava growing region particularly under rainfed conditions. Pruning once in May (pruning to 80% and 60% of canopy height), pruning once in October (pruning to 80% and 60% of canopy height) and pruning thrice a year in March, May and October to 50% shoot length were imposed on guava plants of cv. Sardar planted during 2007 under ultra high density orcharding at a spacing of 1 m × 2m. The treatments were imposed during all the three years of experimentation. The three consecutive distinguished rainfall scenarios observed from 2009 to 2011. During the year 2009, there was normal rainfall whereas during 2010 and 2011, there were deficit and excess rainfall, respectively. Result indicated that during all the three years, the maximum number of shoots was recorded with pruning thrice a year to 50% of shoot length (7.31, 7.19 and 8.32 during 2009–10, 2010–11 and 2011–12, respectively). Pruning in May or October did not result in marked change in the time of appearance of 1st flowering during 2009–10 and 2010–11. However, during 2011–12, pruning in May resulted in extension of the period of 1st flowering by one month. Pruning three times a year resulted in maximum number of flowers per plant (20.13) during winters of 2009–10. During first two years, the maximum total yield was recorded in case of pruning thrice a year to 50% shoot length (34.88 t/ha and 37.24 t/ha during 2009–10 and 2010–11, respectively). However, during the third year, it was highest in case of 80% pruning in October (29.51 t/ha). Hence, the study clearly indicated the efficacy of pruning in May for removal of rainy season crop particularly under the conditions of normal rainfall.