Effect of pruning on morpho-physiological parameters and microclimate under high density planting of mango (Mangifera indica)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2005–07 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to assess the effect of pruning intensity in some mango cultivars (‘Amrapali’, ‘Mallika’ and ‘Dashehari’). Severely pruned trees had the highest number of sprouted shoots while the lowest was in control (unpruned). ‘Amrapali’ gave the least number of shoots. ‘Mallika’ had the maximum shoot length while least in ‘Amrapali’. Light pruning produced the longest shoot than other pruning intensities. Canopy volume and tree girth were found to be more in ‘Dashehari’ and low in ‘Amrapali’. The net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rates and leaf relative water content were higher in regular bearing cultivars (‘Mallika’ and ‘Amrapali’) than the biennial bearer (‘Dashehari’). Severely and moderately pruned trees had the highest net photosynthetic rate and greatly reduced in unpruned trees. The canopy of Amrapali showed the maximum light interception with lowest canopy relative humidity, while least light interception was registered in ‘Dashehari’. Severe pruning led to better light penetration and increased canopy temperature, but declined with the reduction in pruning intensities. The lowest light penetrance, canopy temperature