Pruning for sustaining productivity of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Amrapali in high density plantation.
Pandey S. N., Singh O. P.
Author Affiliation: ICAR, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan - II, Pusa, New Delhi - 110 012, India.
Orissa Journal of Horticulture 36 : 26-31
Abstract : Experiments on the effect of pruning on the sustainability of high production in high density plantion of Amrapali mango were conducted as observational trials at the Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology, IARI New Delhi for a period of 10 years (from 1987 to 1997) the result of the study revealed that pruning resorted annually after each harvest in July-August was found beneficial in maintaining tree canopy open to receive sufficient sun-shine and sustaining high production (24.81 mt/ha) at 21 year age in high density plantation (1600 trees/ha). Shoots emerged after pruning were found highly fruitful in 'Amrapali' (62.36%) as against a low number of fruitful shoots in Neelum (7.1%) and totally unfruitful shoots emerged after pruning in 'Dushehari'. In Amrapali, shoots arisen after pruning on thin twigs were more fruitful (38.46%) than those emerged from thick pruned twigs (1915%). Early pruning in August resulted in more fruitful shoots (67%) in 'Amrapali' than late pruning in September (51%) and October (9%). Pruning in October resulted in more malformed panicles (33.3%) in this cultivar. Pruning in Amrapali thus appeared to be a highly cost-effective, environment-friendly and sustainable technology for getting high production in high density plantation.