Special pruning techniques in horticulture | pruning definition in horticulture | methods of pruning in horticulture | types of pruning in horticulture | pruning system in horticulture | objective, principles, benefits and disadvantage of pruning
Pruning is the proper and judicious removal of plant parts such as shoots, spurs, leaves, roots or nipping away of terminal parts etc. to correct or maintain tree structure and increase its usefulness.
• It is done to
♢ make the plant more productive and bear quality
fruits,
♢ increase longevity of the tree,
♢ make it into manageable shape and
♢ to get maximum returns from the orchard.
• Pruning is a dwarfing process and can be used
to maintain any desired tree size.
• Removal of a branch removes not only stored
carbohydrates but reduces the potential leaf
surface as well.
▪ Pruning increases fruit size, nitrogen per growing point
and stimulates growth near the cut.
• Excessive pruning reduces fruitfulness especially with
young vigorous trees that may already be developing
too much vegetative growth.
• Large cuts results in excessive stimulation of sprouts
near the cut, while well distributed small cuts spreads
the stimulus better over the entire tree.
• The severity, kind and amount of pruning to be done on
a tree depend on the
○ age,
○ existing framework,
○ condition of bark and wood,
○ Growth characteristics
○ Fruiting habit of the variety
○ Whether tree is permanent or filler
• Pruning is most often done during the winter, commonly
referred to as dormant pruning.
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Objectives of Pruning
• To control the size of the plant.
• To control the form ( structural make up of the plant)
which involves number, placement, relative size and
angle of branches.
• Better quality fruits by better light distribution.
• To remove diseased, criss-crossed, dried and broken
branches.
• To remove the non-productive parts in order to divert
the energy into those parts that are capable of bearing
fruits.
• Proper proportion of root- shoot ratio.
• To regulate the fruit crop.
• Longevity of the tree.
• Chances of insects-pests, diseases and winter injury
are less.
Principle of Pruning
• To admit more sunlight, remove unproductive branches which are producing few or no fruits and also to keep the plant in its proper vigour, vitality and to obtain optimum yields of good quality fruits.
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