Summer Pruning Research Articles

Effects of leaf removals on must and wine chemical composition and phenolic compounds of Narince (Vitis vinifera) grape cultivar

Leaves are the vital components of grapevines. Leaves are removed with summer pruning to improve grape and wine quality. Leaves of some grape cultivars are harvested at different periods for stuffed grape leaves or brined vine leaves. Since the leaves of Narince grape cultivar supplies an income as much as the grapes, the cultivars are commonly exposed to excessive leaf harvests. The present study was conducted in 2014–2015 to investigate the effects of 4 different leaf harvest treatments (LHT) (control, 2, 4 and 6 harvests) on must and wine quality of Narince grape cultivar grown in Tokat province of Turkey. The grapes harvested at technological ripening level were processed into wine with microvinification method. The pH, total soluble solid contents (TSSC), titratable acidity, specific gravity, ethyl alcohol, volatile acid, reducing sugar, total sulphur dioxide, total phenolics, total flavonoids and some phenolic compounds of the must and wines were determined. LHTs increased TSSC and total phenolics of the must; pH, ethyl alcohol, total phenolics and total flavonoids of the wines increased in six LHT as compared to control treatment. While LHTs increased phenolic compounds of catechin, epicatechin and caffeic acid as compared to control treatment, coumaric acid was not observed in wines. Wine sensory scores were the highest in control treatment and the lowest in six leaf harvest treatments.

Responses of vegetative growth and fruit yield to winter and summer mechanical pruning in olive trees

Mechanical pruning has become increasingly common in olive orchards, particularly under high tree densities. Large cutting disks make heading cuts at a single canopy depth without discriminating between branch thickness, size, or type of branch. The objectives of this study were to: (i) quantify the responses of vegetative growth over two growing seasons and yield components over three seasons following different intensities and moments of application of mechanical pruning; and (ii) evaluate some leaf morphology and gas-exchange characteristics of the remaining leaves after pruning. Five year-old olive trees with high crop load (cv. Arbequina) were pruned towards the end of the winter (W) or early summer (S). Three intensities of winter pruning representing different distances (0.25, 0.50, 0.75m) from the outer canopy surface were applied, while there was only a single summer pruning treatment (0.75m). The vegetative growth variables measured after pruning included new branch number and length, new leaf number, and increase in trunk cross sectional area. Reproductive variables included fruit and oil yield, fruit number, fruit weight, and oil content per fruit. Growth of new branches increased significantly with winter pruning intensity while delaying pruning to early summer reduced regrowth to the level of the unpruned control. Despite differences in yield in individual years between the unpruned control and the winter pruning treatments, the average yield over the three years after the winter pruning event was similar between all trees. Delaying the intense pruning to summer was associated with some reduction in yield, and moderate winter pruning (0.50m) appeared to partially reduce alternate bearing. When measured shortly after winter pruning, specific leaf mass of the remaining leaves decreased steadily as the level of winter pruning increased, which is consistent with prior shading within the tree. The leaf net photosynthetic rate per unit mass was also different between pruning treatments. In conclusion, our results contribute to filling the gaps in knowledge related to important aspects of olive tree responses to the intensity and timing of mechanical pruning.

To cut or not to cut: the role of extension growth in fruit quality

Cherries are a sweet fruit, with total soluble solids being a key determinant of quality in most fruit quality studies. It is also well known that leaves play a role in delivering assimilates to fruit, and that fruits are strong sinks. Less well known is the role of extension growth (current season shoot growth) on fruit quality. Extension growth occurs throughout the fruit growing season and has the potential to be a strong source of assimilates. However, while growing they can also be a strong sink; hence the question; to cut or not to cut? Summer pruning can be useful to reduce vigour, or promote light interception but can it also be used to reduce competition for assimilates between growing fruit and extension growth? Trials assessing fruit quality from trees ('Kordia', L'Sweetheart' and 'Satonishiki') which had been pruned at various times throughout the growing season were undertaken. Timing had a significant impact on fruit quality with pruning after, but not at, Stage II increasing fruit sugars (TSS). Pruning at most stages had no impact on sugars in newly developing buds. Pruning during Stage III increased current season fruit sugars. Pruning did not affect the uniformity of bud burst or yield in the following season. Therefore, used appropriately, summer pruning of extension growth may be a useful tool in promoting sugar assimilation. Furthermore, pruning during rainfall in the three weeks prior to harvest maturity reduced fruit cracking, while pruning prior to rainfall in the same period did not impact on cracking. This implicates a role of extension growth leaves in the supply of excess water to the fruit reducing both yield and quality such that pruning could increase both yield and quality.

Post-harvest quality of ‘BRS Kampai’ peach submitted to different pruning times

The present study aimed to evaluate pruning time and refrigerated storage influence in ‘BRS Kampai’ peach cultivar. Fruits coming from plants that were pruned during winter (WP), summer (SP) and winter plus summer (WSP), which were stored in a refrigerated chamber for 0, 10, 20 and 30 days at 1 oC ± 0,5 °C and 90% ± 5% RH. Pruning only in the summer provided higher SS/TA ratio, higher firmness and red intensity in the fruit evaluated. At the end of 30 days, acidity reduction reached 20% compared to the initial value. In the same period, fruits showed 50% of the initial firmness. Matter loss during the storage period was described by a positive linear equation, with 12.0% loss at day 30, after removal from the chamber, and 17% loss after two days at room temperature. Under the conditions in which the experiment was conducted, it was concluded that summer pruning alone provides high SS/TA ratio, as well as increased red color in fruits. In addition, storage period increase causes chemical and physical changes in ‘BRS Kampai’ cultivar fruits. During the storage period, fruits kept acceptable firmness levels, even after 30 days of storage.

Paclobutrazol and Summer Pruning Influences Fruit Quality of Red Delicious Apple

Paclobutrazol and summer pruning can restrict vegetative growth and improve productivity and fruit quality in apple. The present experiment was carried out during two successive seasons on Red Delicious cultivar of apple. The study was carried out in a randomized block design with sixteen treatments and three replications. The trees were > 15 years old grown in experimental orchard of Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, spaced at 5.49 × 5.49 metre distance. The study was aimed to show the effect of different concentrations of paclobutrazol along with different levels of pruning on fruit quality. With increase in paclobutrazol concentration and pruning levels, an increase in TSS, TSS/acid ratio, anthocyanin, sugars, fruit calcium and improvement in fruit grade was observed with decrease in fruit acidity.

Pruning maqui (Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz) to optimize fruit production

Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz) is a wild tree native to Chile with one of the highest levels of antioxidant activities known. The increasing demand for its fruit is all coming from wild collection. The ongoing domestication process is seeking for better fruit quality and sustainability of the production. The present research studies the response of cultivated maqui to different pruning treatments: spring heading, summer heading and renewal cuts. Spring pruning favored the appearance of vegetative and reproductive shoots. This treatment also improved the fruit yield of the following season compared with summer pruning. Vegetative shoots sprout mainly on two year old branches, while reproductive shoots appear also from recently grown plant sections. To achieve high fruit yields, maqui should be pruned in spring and branches renewed constantly to maintain a small plant size.

Effects of Winter and Summer Pruning on Yield and Fruit Quality in Southern Highbush Blueberry ‘Misty’

Effects of Winter and Summer Pruning on Yield and Fruit Quality in Southern Highbush Blueberry ‘Misty’

Evaluating the use of harvesting systems and worker platforms in the South African deciduous fruit industry

The increasing cost of fruit production necessitates more cost-effective orchard practices on South African deciduous fruit farms. Increasing the productivity of labour is one of the components focussed on. Harvesting systems and worker platforms were tested in various production areas to evaluate the effect of these machines on worker productivity during harvesting, pruning and fruit thinning. The effect of harvesting systems on the incidence of harvest injuries was also assessed. The misalignment between typical South African deciduous fruit orchards and harvesting system design leads to a decrease in overall worker productivity during harvesting. Orchard actions where a lot of time is spent moving the ladder relative to the time spent working on the ladder showed the greatest productivity gains when performed with platforms, e.g., summer pruning and to a lesser extent dormant pruning. However, few South African orchards and operational systems are suited to the implementation of these machines and much optimization and investment will be needed to mechanize the harvesting process. Factors such as tree size, shape and uniformity, fruit distribution on the tree, fruit size and quality, orchard floor condition and aspect, labour team dynamics, harvesting incentives, bin condition, operational system employed and harvest logistics all affect the feasibility and ease of mechanization.

A Review of Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck Disease in German Organic Apple Production

Sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) fungi colonise the surface of a range of fruits, especially apple, without penetrating the cuticle. Economic damage results from the exclusion of severely affected fruit batches from being marketed as table apples. A study of SBFS was conducted in 2007–2012 in the two largest German apple production areas, i.e. the Lake Constance and Lower Elbe regions. The absence of this disease complex from orchards under integrated pest management in both regions in all years was explained by the collateral effects of scab and storage-rot sprays with captan and quinone-outside inhibitors (QoI) such as trifloxystrobin. However, SBFS was economically relevant in organically managed orchards, being generally more severe in Southern Germany than in the North. In both regions, Peltaster cerophilus was the most frequently isolated SBFS fungus and was chiefly responsible for crop losses. Cyphellophora sessilis, Microcyclosporella mali and Schizothyrium pomi also contributed to SBFS in some organic orchards, whereas a diversity of additional species was confined to untreated orchards. Evidence was obtained that P. cerophilus overwinters within orchards, fruit mummies being one of presumably several colonised plant organs. Infections of young apple fruits were initiated at any time following the end of flowering, and P. cerophilus was capable of causing several infection cycles per season by means of conidial inoculum. The colonisation of sheets of waxed paper by P. cerophilus indicated that this species does not require fruit leachates for growth. No further expansion of colonies was observed during cold storage; instead, P. cerophilus was gradually displaced by other fungi. Differences in the susceptibility of apple varieties to P. cerophilus were due to fruit ripening, late-maturing cultivars being most heavily colonised, and to surface properties, varieties with a waxy bloom being conspicuously less strongly colonised than others. This fungus was unable to colonise russeted fruit areas. Repeated spray treatments with lime-sulphur and potassium bicarbonate throughout the season were effective and necessary to control SBFS in organic production. This strategy threatens the fungicide-saving potential offered by scab-resistant apple varieties. Cultural measures against SBFS include summer pruning as well as the manual removal of fruit mummies in winter.

Winter chill protection of grapevines by burial: evaluation of the crawled cordon training system

The objective of this work was to select a training system suitable for grapevines grown in areas where vine burial is practiced for protection against winter chill (especially as it is practised in the arid/semiarid areas of northern China). We evaluate the influence of a new training system crawled cordon training (CCT) and compare it with a traditional training system independent long-stem pruning (ILSP). The study considers fruit quality, sensory evaluation of wines and an analysis of labour practices at Rongchen Chateau in China during the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. During the first three years under CCT, average yield was 39.69 % lower than under ILSP but CCT showed higher yield stability. The ripeness of grapes under CCT was higher than under ILSP, so sensory evaluation of CCT wines was also higher. Moreover, CCT also reduced the labour involved for winter pruning, summer pruning and harvesting by 24.4 %, 25.0 % and 37.5 %, respectively. This study shows that under CCT grape quality, yield stability and wine quality were significantly higher than under ILSP, while labour inputs (costs) were significantly lower.

Effects of summer pruning combined with winter pruning on bush growth, yields, and fruit quality of ‘Misty’ southern highbush blueberry for two years after planting

The effects of winter pruning severity and the date of summer pruning on growth, yields, and fruit quality of ‘Misty’ southern highbush blueberry were studied. The pruning treatments were as follows: 1) winter pruning severity [unpruned control, conventional pruning (30% removed), and severe pruning (50% removed)] and 2) winter pruning (conventional pruning) + summer pruning date (June 20, July 20, and August 20). The number of buds was highest (894.6) with conventional winter pruning (CWP) + summer pruning (SP) on July 20, followed by conventional pruning (CP) (784.4), then no pruning (NP) (712.2), severe winter pruning (SWP) (656), CWP + SP on June 20 (540), and finally CWP + SP on August 20 (333.4). In general, the improvement in light penetration to the canopy, shaping of bearing shoots, and strengthened cane were observed in the treatment of winter pruning combined with summer pruning on July 20. In the following year, total yields were highest with NP (1,648 g), followed by CWP + SP on July 20 (1,364 g), then CWP + SP on August 20 (962 g), CWP + SP on June 20 (859 g), SWP (844 g), and CWP (762 g). Fruit weight results were as follows: CWP + SP on June 20 (1.53 g) > SWP (1.50 g) > CWP + SP on August 20 (1.48 g) > CWP + SP on July 20 (1.44 g) > CWP (1.40 g) > NP (1.10 g), but there was no statistical difference between the fruit weight results except compared to no pruning treatment. Fruit (berries) were used to investigate SSC, TA, total sugar, firmness, total phenolic content, and anthocyanin content, and no significant differences were found among the treatments.

Evaluation Of Slender Spindle Form In Young ‘Topaz’ Apple Orchard*

Abstract Two growing systems were compared – slender spindle and modified slender spindle, supplemented with or without additional summer pruning. The trial was carried out in orchard of the apple variety ‘Topaz’ in years 2012–2014. The assessed parameters were: trunk cross sectional area (TCSA), crown volume, number of cuts, dry matter weight of pruned wood, cumulative yield, yield efficiency, and relative occurrence of size classes of fruits. The objective was to confirm the hypothesized advantages of modified slender spindle in the period of increasing yields. Based on statistical analysis there was no significant difference among systems in growth measured by TCSA. Increase in crown cubage was the highest on slender spindle with additional summer pruning. The lowest increase of crown cubage was on modified spindle without summer pruning. Number of winter cuts and similarly dry weight was significantly higher on the modified spindle only in 2013. Additional summer pruning influenced both the above-mentioned parameters. There were no significant differences in cumulative yield and yield efficiency between systems. Similarly, the difference in the occurrence of various fruit size classes was not significant. We conclude that study needs to be extended in order to confirm the suggested trends.

뽕나무 유전자원의 항산화능 비교

Much attention has been focused on the activity of the natural antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables, because potentially these components may reduce the level of oxidative stress. Especially, mulberry leaves containing many natural components are considerable resource for natural antioxidants. The antioxidant capacity of mulberry leaves was investigated with minilum L-100 device and ARAW-KIT (anti-radical ability of water-soluble substance), in comparison to the ascorbic acid. The antioxidant capacity of 16 varieties was 3303.4 nmol at opening stage of five leaves in spring. The highest stage of antioxidant capacity (3708.0 nmol) and yield rate was just before the coloration stage with anthocyanin in fruits, whereas the lowest stage was middle of June (2231.6 nmol) and about two months growing stage after summer pruning (2064.6 nmol). But after summer pruning, the antioxidant capacity of mulberry leaves increased gradually until just before fallen leaves stage. Even if samples were same variety, antioxidant effect of those showed different results according to collected regions. Also, antioxidant effect of mulberry leaves were higher than that of branches. The antioxidant capacity of yield-type mulberry leaves and fruits (Morus alba L., M. bombycis Koidz, and M. Lhou (Ser.) Koidz) collected from In-je, Won-ju and Yang-yang regions, Kang-won province, Korea, was investigated. The results indicated that total antioxidant capacity of yield-type mulberry leaves was 2711.2 nmol. In the antioxidant capacity analysis of Jeollabuk-Do genetic resources, autumn's mulberry leaves showed higher antioxidant capacity than that of spring's it. To investigate the effect of tea on antioxidative capacity, five kinds of tea(coffee mix, green tea added brown rice, mulberry leaf tea, Polygonatum odoratum tea and black tea added lemon) were selected and analyzed. Their's anti-oxidative capacity were 2,531.01 nmol, 1,867.42 nmol, 1,053.72 nmol, 292.71 nmol and 188.91 nmol, respectively. The antioxidative capacity of drinking water soaked with mulberry leaf showed 891.96 nmol.

Effects of Timing and Intensity of Summer Pruning on Reproductive Traits of Two Southern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) summer pruning can increase yield by promoting healthy fall foliage to support the reproductive development. However, there has been little research to examine the effects of timing and intensity of summer pruning in subtropical conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of summer pruning timing and intensity on reproductive traits of mature ‘Jewel’ and ‘Emerald’ southern highbush blueberry (SHB) plants (V. corymbosum L. interspecific hybrid) in subtropical Florida. The effect of pruning time was evaluated by removing 30% of the canopy in June or July. The effect of intensity was evaluated by pruning either 30% or 60% of the canopy in June, followed by removal of the upper 5 cm of regrowth (“tipping”) in July. Both timing and intensity used nonpruned plants as a control. The same plants were evaluated over three consecutive seasons (June 2011–May 2014). Main effects of pruning time, intensity, and tipping were evaluated. Tipping did not affect the reproductive traits evaluated. ‘Emerald’ reproductive traits were unaffected by either summer pruning time or intensity over the 3-year study. ‘Jewel’ yield was unaffected in the first year, but was increased by 48% and 65% in years 2 and 3, respectively, in the 30% pruning treatment compared with the nonpruned control. Lack of pruning in ‘Jewel’ decreased inflorescence bud number compared with moderate pruning likely due to more diseased foliage that increased defoliation. Thus, pruning effects on reproductive traits were cultivar dependent. Leaving ‘Jewel’ plants unpruned for two or more seasons reduced inflorescence bud number and yield.

Occurrence of Micro-cracking According to Bagging Paper in ‘Mansoo’ Pear Fruits

본 연구는 배 '만수' 품종의 열과 발생의 원인과 재배 조건을 구명하여 발생을 경감시킬 수 있는 재배 방법을 제안하고자 수행하였다. 미세 열과는 성숙기 과실에서 발견되었다. 미세 열과의 발생은 8월 중의 일조 시간과 밀접한 관련을 나타내었다. 발생이 심했던 해에는 일조 시간이 부족하였으며, 발생이 적었던 해에는 일조 시간이 길고 일조량이 많은 날이 연속되어 광 조건이 우수하였다. Y자 수형보다는 평덕식에서 많이 발생하였고, 인공 관수구와 무관수 처리구에서 미세 열과 발생률의 차이는 나타나지 않았다. 무대 처리구에서는 미세 열과가 전혀 발생하지 않았으나, 외피가 흑색과 황색인 봉지를 이용한 처리구에서의 미세 열과 발생은 각각 62.2% 및 17.3%로 흑색 봉지 처리구에서 미세 열과가 심하게 발생하였다. 따라서 '만수' 과실의 미세열과 발생은 일조 시간, 수형 및 봉지 색에 따라 차이를 보여 광 조건이 가장 크게 작용하는 것으로 판명되었다. '만수' 과실의 미세열과를 방지하기 위해서는 적합한 수형 및 봉지 색을 선택하고, 하계전정 등을 통해 광 조건을 개선하는 것이 요구된다. This study was conducted to study the factors inducing micro-cracking and determine proper practices to reduce its occurrence in 'Mansoo' pear fruits. Micro-cracking was observed on ripe fruits. Occurrence of micro-cracking was closely related to sun duration time in August. Micro-cracking occurred severely with shorter sun duration, but weakly with longer sun duration and continuous sunlight. Micro-cracking fruits occurred more frequently in trees with a pergola training system than in those with Y-trellis, but there was no difference between the irrigated and non-irrigated groups. While no micro-cracking was observed without fruit bagging, micro-cracking occurred in fruits with black and yellow outer paper bagging at rates of 62.2 and 17.3%, respectively. Our results suggest that the light condition was the most important cause of micro-cracking because the occurrence of micro-cracking in 'Mansoo' fruits was affected by factors including sun duration, trellis system and fruit bag color. We suggested that micro-cracking could be reduced in 'Mansoo' fruit by optimizing the light conditions with the proper trellis system, bagging color and summer pruning.

DEVELOPMENT OF PRUNING AND TRAINING SYSTEMS FOR HIGHER DENSITY PEACH ORCHARDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Until the early seventies all peach trees were planted using an open vase system with four and more leaders at 45° angles and wide spacings. Subsequently, increasing input costs necessitated the development of higher density planting systems to increase production. Tree training had to accommodate higher densities, while allowing for efficient sunlight interception and penetration within and shoot development at the base on the outside of the canopy. During the late seventies the free standing closed vase system with three upright leaders was introduced to accommodate these principals. During the same period the development of the central leader, supported or free standing, with small lateral branches spaced at fixed distances, according to a hierarchy of wider and stronger branches at the base, decreasing and narrowing towards the top, took place. This system was modified to accommodate only bearing shoots in a spiral orientation around the leader, allowing a tree spacing of 4 x 1.5 m. Advances in summer pruning enabled growing of peach trees at high densities on relatively vigorous rootstocks while managing light optimally. During the nineties the central leader was modified to a two-leaders-in-the-row system, creating more volume and bearing shoots per tree initially. This system is currently favoured by many peach and nectarine growers. In this article the training and summer pruning involved in the formation, selection and maintenance of bearing shoots of modern peach orchards in South Africa will be discussed.

PRUNING AND TRAINING SYSTEMS: WHAT IS NEXT?

Training is dramatically changing from strictly geometrical shaped trees to more natural growth, depending on tree vigour and productivity, mechanization and labour intensity. The most spreading training systems (Catalonian vase, delayed vase and free central axis) in new orchards are characterized by early bearing with a shortened not-fruiting initial phase, easy mechanization and low labour input. They are “transitional” systems, which move from an initial transitory bushy form to the final geometric shape via spring and summer pruning. They are characterized by two initial years of free growth to achieve early bearing and high production at the third year, and reaching the final shape by the third or fourth year. The annual winter pruning maintains its importance and it cannot be neglected in any mature orchards, but only partially substituted by mechanical pruning. Therefore, the most common pruning approach is still a combination of shoot and limb thinning, the pruning intensity and period is related to cultivar, climatic conditions and orchard management. Heading shoots back may have some importance, if undertaken before bloom until fruit set in very early ripening cultivars where it is necessary to improve fruit growth.

Seasonal Variation in Mineral Nutrient Content of Primocane-fruiting Blackberry Leaves

Primocane-fruiting blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus, Watson) cultivars, Prime-Jan® and Prime-Jim®, grown only for a primocane crop, were studied for 2 years to evaluate whether this type of blackberry should be sampled at a certain stage of development or time of season to best evaluate plant nutrient status. Leaves were sampled every 2 weeks from a primocane height of ≈0.75 m in spring through fruit harvest in autumn and were analyzed to determine concentration of macro- and micronutrients. Primocanes were summer pruned at 1.4 m, by hedging to a height of 1.0 m, to induce branching, a standard commercial practice. Leaf nutrient concentration was related to stage of primocane growth and development and whether the leaves originated on the main cane or on the branches that resulted from summer pruning. Nutrient concentration of leaves sampled on the main primocane from early growth in spring until early branch growth in summer was significantly affected by cultivar, year, and week for most nutrients. When leaf sampling occurred on the older leaves of the main cane (for 4 weeks after hedging), the concentration of Ca, Mg, B, Fe, Mn, and Al increased, likely a result of the relative immobility of most of these nutrients. When samples were taken on primocane branches, leaf N, Mg, S, B (2009 only), Fe, Mn, Cu (2009 only), Zn, and Al concentrations did not differ between samples taken 6–8 weeks after summer pruning or hedging. Leaf K and Ca were more stable when sampling was done from weeks 8 to 10 (early bloom to green/early red fruit). There was a significant difference in leaf P among all weeks sampled during this period. A sample date corresponding to early green fruit stage (week 8) would thus likely provide the best compromise for assessing plant nutrient status in this crop. During this stage of development the nutrient concentrations measured for both cultivars and years, were within the present recommended nutrient sufficiency levels for other blackberry and raspberry crops for all except leaf K and P which were below current standards. The results suggest leaf sampling primocane-fruiting blackberry at the early green fruit stage (about 8 weeks after summer pruning) rather than a particular calendar date. The present leaf sufficiency range for P and K may need to be lowered for this crop. In addition, sampling cultivars separately for tissue analysis would still be advised to better manage nutrient programs.

Poda drástica de verão e produção de cultivares de amoreira-preta em região subtropical

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o manejo de podas em cultivares de amoreira-preta (Rubus spp.), submetidas à poda drástica de verão, em regiões subtropicais. O experimento foi conduzido em blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial 2x7 (podas x cultivares), no Município de Lavras, MG. Foram utilizadas as cultivares Comanche, Caingangue, Choctaw, Tupy, Guarani, Brazos e Cherokee, que receberam poda convencional (controle) e poda drástica de verão. Foram avaliados dados fenológicos, vegetativos e produtivos nos ciclos de produção 2012/2013 e 2013/2014, além de características físico-químicas dos frutos e da incidência de doenças, no último ciclo de produção. A poda drástica de verão aumenta a produção das cultivares em regiões subtropicais. Não há diferença na qualidade dos frutos colhidos de plantas submetidas aos sistemas de poda avaliados. A poda drástica de verão não é eficiente na redução ou no controle de doenças.

Effect of paclobutrazol and summer pruning on yield and fruit quality of apple cv. ‘Red delicious’

The study was aimed to assess the effect of different levels of paclobutrazol and summer pruning on fruit quality of apple cv. ‘Red Delicious’. The experiment was conducted at SKUAST-K, Shalimar (J&K) during 2012 and 2013 on apple trees of >15 years age, spaced at 5.49 × 5.49 m distance. The experiment was laid in a completely randomized block design with paclobutrazol spray tested at 3 concentrations (250, 500 and 750 ppm) and summer pruning at 2 timings (8 and 12 weeks after full bloom) and their combinations. Highest yield of 101.0 kg tree−1 was obtained in treatment 750 ppm paclobutrazol + 2 summer prunings in comparison to control. In addition, it significantly improved fruit size (53.15 cm), weight (188.19 g), volume (188.12 cm3), colour change (3.40 score), firmness (11.98 kg cm−2), organoleptic rating in terms of taste (3.14 score), texture (3.24 score), flavour (3.12 score) and total soluble solids (14.47°B) whereas acidity (0.23%) was reduced in comparison to control and other treatments during both the years.