Pruning for rejuvenation of overcrowded, old 'Alphonso' mango (Mangifera indica) gardens in Konkan.
Shinde A. K., Waghmare G. M., Godse S. K., Patil B. P.
Author Affiliation: Regional Fruit Research Station, Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Vengurle, Maharashtra 416 516, India.
Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 72 : 90-92
Abstract : A field experiment was conducted in Vengurle, Maharashtra, India, in 1998-99 to study the effects of hard pruning (heading back up to secondary branches, heading back up to tertiary branches, and thinning crowded branches and centre opening) and paclobutrazol application on the rejuvenation of mango cv. Alphonso. The highest flowering percentage was recorded for thinning crowded branches and centre opening with paclobutrazol application in 1998-99 (71.66%) and for heading back up to tertiary branches and paclobutrazol application in 1999-2000 (73.33%). Pruning up to secondary branches with or without paclobutrazol treatment did not induce flowering. Pruning of tertiary branches and centre opening without paclobutrazol gave the longest panicles (29.33 cm) and the highest fruit number (228.66 and 150.00 fruits per tree) and yield (average of 44.65 kg per tree). Trees pruned up to secondary branches were highly infested with stem borers (Chlumetia transversa). Stem borer incidence was low in trees pruned up to tertiary branches.