Effect of pruning in mango for rejuvenation

Abstract

Forty-five-year-old, dense and declined mango orchard of cv. Dashehari was subjected to different pruning treatments in order to study their effect on growth parameters, bearing behaviour and quality of fruits. After twelve years of pruning, highest increase in tree height was recorded in first order pruned trees. Highest values of shoot length were recorded in fourth order pruned trees, while highest value of shoot girth was recorded in first order pruned trees. Canopy spread was recorded highest in control. There was loss of fruiting for initial two years in severe pruning treatments (first and second order pruned trees), while from third year onwards; there was a gradual increase in fruit yield in these treatments. In moderate and light pruning treatments (third to fifth order pruned trees), there was continuous fruiting from first year onwards with an increasing trend for initial 3–4 years, thereafter inconsistent yields were obtained.