Bahir Dar University

College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Program: M.Sc. in Horticulture Program
Course: Advanced fruit crops production and management (final exam 2020)
Course Code: Hort624
Date: 14 August 2020

Name: __________________________________________________ID. No._____________________

General instruction

Answer all questions briefly but in short form. The weight of each question is indicated by the
points given in bracket at the end of the respective questions.

1. How pruning intensity affects flowering, fruit yields and floral malformation of mango that is
planted at high density plantation system (10 points

Canopy management is very essential and critical operation in HDP to maintain fruiting
shoots and contain the canopy. Pruning must be completed as soon as possible after
harvest preferably before second week of June. Tertiary branches are to be headed back
in such a way that the plant height can be maintained at 1.5 to 2 M and having 10 to 15
tertiary shoots per tree. Excess tertiary shoots are to be thinned out to avoid
overcrowding. About one month after pruning, thinning of newly emerged shoots is
essential to avoid excess shoots and overcrowding. On each tertiary shoot, 3 to 4 new
shoots are to be allowed so that 40 to 60 panicles can be obtained in each tree. Dried
panicle and dried shoots/ branches must be removed at the time of pruning

Pruning is resorted as a tool not only to control size but also maximize yields, however
practice such as severe pruning and drastic orchard thinning seriously affect bearing
surface, reducing productivity for at least the following year. Pruning not only helps to
induce axillary panicles (to control biennial bearing and removal of malformed panicles)
but has also been adopted for rejuvenation of orchards along with crop regulation.
However, the main advantage of annual tip pruning is that it provides reliable
synchronized flowering in selected rows year after year in trees thus making them
remaining in the same size for many years . The combined application of biennial
mechanical topping and hedging appeared to be the most appropriate method to
manipulate tree growth with satisfactory annual yields (205 kg/tree), which are slightly
lower than those of control trees (255 kg/ tree)
 High density orcharding appears to be the most appropriate answer to overcome low
productivity and long gestation period for early returns and export of mangoes.
 To meet the challenge of high productivity, optimization of growth parameters and
minimization of the unproductive components of trees without sacrificing the overall
health of the tree and quality of the product are required.
 The control of excessive vegetative growth in the tree for increased productivity is the
major principle of high density orcharding.
 Therefore, controlling tree size by dwarfing rootstocks in high density orchards is one of
the methods of increasing production.
In high density system, yields are improved in early years of orchard life
Once the trees have filled their allotted spaces, crowding may occur and canopies of an
adjacent tree begin to overlap.
This may lead to excessive shading and reduction in photosynthesis by layered leaves
within the tree canopy resulting in poor yields.
In fact, at some point of time most fruit trees require controlled vegetative growth
particularly in high density orcharding.

The horticultural methods most commonly known to control tree growth are training
and pruning.
The training begins when the tree is first planted and continues throughout its
productive life.
Proper tree forms, branch angle and limb spacing in themselves aid in growth control.
Once the tree is mature, excessive growth can be regularly removed by pruning to
provide a short term or immediate benefit.

Pruning is important tool in mango because

 Restrain the exuberant vegetative growth of mangoes to manageable sizes and forms
thereby to achieve optimum production.
 Judicial removal of excess vegetative growth for more efficient management.
Synchronize flowering to extend the production cycle and market availability
 Increase productivity of orchard
 Stimulate precocious flowering of new plantings
 Extend the productive life of the orchard
 Recuperate overgrown, older orchard and Increase air circulation in the orchard, which
lowers losses associated with diseases.
 High density orcharding app ears to be the most appropriate answer to overcome low
productivity and long gestation period for early returns and export of mangoes
 To meet the challenge of high productivity, optimization of growth parameters and
minimization of the unproductive components of trees without sacrificing the overall
health of the tree and quality of the product are required.
 The control of excessive vegetative growth in the tree for increased productivity is the
major principle of high density orcharding.
 Therefore, controlling tree size by dwarfing rootstocks in high density orchards is one of
the methods of increasing production.
 In high density system, yields are improved in early years of orchard life. Once the trees have
filled their allotted spaces, crowding may occur and canopies of an adjacent tree begin to
overlap.
 This may lead to excessive shading and reduction in photosynthesis by layered leaves within the
tree canopy resulting in poor yields.
 In fact, at some point of time most fruit trees require controlled vegetative growth particularly
in high density orcharding.

Mango Tree canopy management, especially size control, has become a priority for reducing
production cost and increasing fruit yield and quality. However, unlike temperature fruits,
where tree management technologies have been developed and refined for over a century, the
similar tools and experiences can be applied with a few modifications in mango. Tree
management techniques, specifically for mango have been developed and are being used in
different parts of the world, which can be adopted after certain modifications in different mango
growing regions. Early height control and tree canopy management are important techniques
and should be practiced in India. Similarly, the problem of large tree size in mango can be
tackled by using topping and hedging because large and crowded trees pose many
disadvantages. Appropriate height, topping and hedging, cutting angles, as well as time and
frequency of hedging determined for mango, which are common practices in Israel, USA,
Australia and South Africa, can be used for increased efficiency and production in India. Shaping
the mango tree immediately after planting has its own importance for keeping desirable plant
height at first branching, so that proper clearance for equipment is possible. New Orchard
Heading back of plants when they attain the age of one year. Heading back should be done with
a sharp secateurs to give a sharp and smooth cut during October-December. Height of heading
back should be 60-70 cm from the ground. Heading back results in emergence of new shoots
during March-April (spring season). For development of ideal open canopy, thinning of excessive
shoots is needed during May. Thinning should be done in such a manner as to retain four well
distributed shoots in all directions. These shoots develop as primary branches. If crotch angle of
retained shoots is smaller, then bending should be done at this stage to increase the crotch
angle of newly developed shoots. It should be done with a jute rope (use of nylon or poly
threads should be avoided). Second cutting is required when these shoots attain maturity. Shoot
maturity in mango is determined by colour change of shoots from green to brown. Generally,
this stage comes after 7-8 months of shoot growth in north India. Thus, second cutting of
primary branches is done in October-November. This cutting also induces new growth during
ensuing spring season. Again, thinning of excessive shoots should be done to ensure 2-3 shoots
per primary branch. These shoots develop as secondary branches. This initial training results in
open and spreading canopy of trees. Bearing Mango Orchards In bearing mango trees, for
management of canopy and enhancing their productivity, identify uprightly growing branches in
each tree and thin them out for increasing the productivity. Remove only one or two uprightly
 growing branches from centre of tree to reduce tree height significantly and increase availability
of light inside the canopy for better photosynthesis. Cutting of uprightly growing branches
should be done during October-December from the base of their origin. During removal of
branches, first cut should be given on lower side of branch to give a smooth cut and avoid bark
splitting. Protect branches with wide crotch angle as they are more productive. In bearing
mango trees, not more than 25% biomass should be removed at a time for better canopy
management; otherwise it results in excessive vegetative growth. Under high density planting
system, remove 10-15% biomass annually during October-December to increase light
penetration inside the canopy. Removal of 10- 15%biomass should include cris cross branches,
dead wood and diseased shoots

2. Describe the management practices to be implemented to attain appropriate structure of apple

tree in central leader pruning system (5 points)

Central Leader System

If growers or home gardeners do not want to use high-density planting, the central leader system still
is a good training system for apples and pears.

The central leader system always has a central leader with either permanent or temporary branches.
The central leader is the main leader, or dominant shoot, in the center of the tree. There are three to
five branches for the first tier, three to four for the second tier, and one or two branches for the third
tier. These branches can be scattered throughout the central leader at various spacings. However, it
is preferred to have equal spacing between branches. To start the process, use a one-year-old,
barerooted, unbranched whip with a trunk diameter of 1/2 to 5/8 inches, or plant well-feathered trees.

After planting, the whip should be headed down to about 30 inches, which will balance the size of
the aboveground and the damaged root system during digging and transportation. If you head back
too low, it may induce excessive vegetative growth, and the branches will be too low in position. If
you cut off at 36 inches, it will result in short branches with weak growth, which will be hard to use as
a framework structure. Also, make sure there are five to seven good buds under the cut. If the buds
around that height are damaged, adjust the cut height to ensure there are several good buds under
the cut.

If well-feathered trees are planted, select three to four well-spaced branches as scaffolds and cut the
branches back 1/3 or 1/2 of their length after planting, making sure that their lengths are roughly
equal. These branches should be spaced several inches apart on the trunk, but they should not be
next to each other. If these scaffold branches are too close, they could choke the central leader in
the future. Remove the branches below 24 inches and top the central leader 24 inches above the
first tier of branches.

The First Growing Season After Planting

Several weeks after planting, new shoots will emerge below the cut, and the first one will be used as
the future central leader. If the second and third shoots are too strong and compete with the first
one, then they should be removed (Figure 3). For the rest, the good ones will be used as scaffolds. If
the branching angle is too narrow, use wooden clothespins to push the branches flat (Figure 3).
When the new shoots are 4 to 6 inches long, put the clothespins on top of the young shoots and
leave them there for the season; the branches should achieve the desired wide angle. Using
clothespins to push the branching angle early on is easier than using branch spreaders later.

By the end of the first growing season, select three to four well-spaced scaffolds with good
branching angles that are evenly spaced around the trunk, and remove all other branches below 24
inches or that have narrow angles. If clothespins were used, these selected branches should have
good crotch angles. If some grew too vigorously with narrow angles, branch spreaders should be
used the next spring to push them to 45 to 60°. If the tree is weak without enough useful branches,
cut the central leader short to try to get enough branches for the first tier by the end of the second
year.

The Second Growing Season After Planting

The main objective during the second growing season is to develop a second layer of scaffolds,
which should be 24 to 36 inches above the first layer established during the first year after planting.
Remember to use clothespins to widen the crotch angle of the new shoots. Select branches that do
not lie directly above any first-tier scaffolds, but that instead fill the space between scaffolds of the
first tier. Remove shoots that compete with the central leader and other undesirable shoots. Branch
spreaders, weights, or ties should be used for scaffolds with narrower crotch angles to widen them to
45 to 60°. The spreader can be made of a wooden board with a V or sharp nails on each end. Do not
push the branches more than 60° or there could be suckers growing on top of the branch. The
spreaders can stay in place for one or two years until the branches are able to keep their position.
The limb spreaders, weights, or ties should be used before or during the winter pruning process.

After the Second Growing Season

During winter pruning, keep three to four branches with wide crotch angles for the second tier. Cut
back 1/4 of the new terminal growth of the scaffolds. Keep using limb spreaders or ties if necessary.
Remove diseased or broken branches. Always maintain the central leader as the highest point of the
tree. If you have enough good-angled branches for the second tier, cut the central leader 24 inches
above the second tier of branches to stimulate the third tier of branches

Three or Four Years After Planting

Similar to year two, use clothespins to position the young shoots. Remove upright, competitive, and
other undesired shoots during the growing season. Keep the central leader's dominance as the
highest point of the tree. All other branch terminals should be lower than the central leader. The
mature tree should be maintained with a pyramid shape (Figure 4) with a dominant central leader.
The first-tier scaffolds should be the strongest and longest, and the second and third tier of branches
should be shorter in length and smaller in diameter.

Successive Years
Continue to prune these trees each winter by removing weak, hanging, and overcrowded branches.
Once the trees start to bear fruit, stop pruning the terminals of the scaffolds. After a few more years,
lower the central leader to the third tier of branches. Since New Mexico has intense sunlight, try to
select a south-facing branch to shade the trunk and avoid sunscald.

Nowadays, high-density planting with dwarfing rootstocks is becoming increasingly popular with
training systems like vertical axe, super spindle, and tall spindle. These high-density plantings
require more trees per acre and tree supports or trellises, which means increased early investment.
However, these trees are precocious and give better early return.

Central Leader training:  Semi-dwarf and standard size rootstocks can be

trained as freestanding central leader trees. A vigorous shoot near the center is
chosen at planting time, and competing upright shoots around it are removed.
Limbs are spread so as not to compete with the central leader. As is, this system
is considered to be outdated. However, many modern systems have their origin
from this method.

A Systematic Method to Prune Central Leader and Modified Central Leader Trees:
Step 1: • Remove all suckers.

Step 2:
• Start pruning each scaffold limb one at a time, beginning with the lowest scaffold limb first.
Start at the tree trunk and work your way towards the end of the branch.
• Prune for health, structural strength, and flower and fruit production and to thin out crowded
branches.
• If branches are growing vertically and are crossing limbs which are growing above them or are
crowding nearby branches, drop-crotch, train, or remove the limb to prevent overcrowding and
crossing.
After being properly pruned, the overall appearance of the scaffold branch will often be
feather-like where the branch is horizontal, with side branches and fruiting wood mainly
attached to the top and sides of this branch. Small branches and fruiting spurs may be attached
to the bottom of the scaffold, provided they are not too crowded.
Where the branches are more vertical, side branches should be spaced along the branch in a
spiraled arrangement with internode distance between branches. Adequate thinning of
branches should be done to allow for air circulation and some light penetration.

Step 3:
• Move to the next scaffold branch and repeat the procedure outlined in step 2. Again start at
the base of the branch and work outwards to the tip of the scaffold limb. Remember to focus on
only the scaffold limb that you are currently pruning.
• Continue working your way around the tree, pruning one scaffold limb at a time
• After moving around the tree by working on the lowest scaffold branches, continue up to the
next higher scaffold branches and again work your way around the tree pruning each branch
one at a time.
 Step 4:
• Repeat steps # 2-3 until you have finally reached the central leader of the tree.
• Branch height should descend progressively lower from the central growing point, downward
as the branches move further out from the center.

Step 5:
• If you a pruning to a modified Central leader shape, drop-crotch the highest, central leader to
a lower lateral and round out the overall tree shape by drop-crotching the taller branches.

Pruning to a modified Central leader shape will reduce the height and overall size of the tree,
making it easier to pick the fruit and allowing the tree to fit into smaller areas.
Step 6:
• Stand back and examine the entire tree. Look for any crowded or crossing branches and drop-
crotch, train, or remove these branches. Balance the overall tree shape by thinning, drop-
crotching or training any scraggly branches.

3. Discuss the possible cultivation methods that could be implemented on the soil of mango
orchard soon after establishment (5 points).

Orchard cultivation refers to the careful management of the orchard soil to satisfy the needs of
the trees
•It involves
–The maintenance of the physical condition of the soil
–The maintenance of its moisture & nutrient content
•Proper orchard cultivation ensures
–Weed control & moisture & nutrient conservation
–Very little disturbance to soil & preventing soil erosion
–Reduced cost of production
Depending on the type of crops, topography & environmental conditions orchard ground can be
managed
–as clean culture (without any growth/vegetation)

–as clean culture with cover crops

–Cultivation with sod and sod mulch

–Cultivation with intercropping

-- mulching
----fertilization
------irrigation

Clean cultivation
No vegetation in the orchard other than the fruit trees
•Vegetation are destroyed by chemicals & frequent cultivation
•Disadvantages
–Frequent cultivation causes
•Depletion of humus
•Injury to the feeding roots, thus, trees may be short lived or stunted in growth.
•Promotes more aeration leading to the depletion of nutrients (e.g. N )
•More soil erosion

Orchard cultivation with cover crops

By this method, cover or green manure crops are grown in the space b/n the rows
•But, the space immediately near the fruit trees should be free from any growth
•In case of green manure crops, they are sown early in the rainy season & incorporated into the
soil to the end of rainy season to control soil erosion
•Legume cover crops or green manures are commonly used in such type of orchard cultivation
e.g. cowpea, Lupine, French beans, alfalfa, etc

Sod method
•Permanent cover of grass is raised in the orchard and no tillage is given
•Grasses are used as animal feed
•Useful in sloppy lands for soil erosion prevention
•Disadvantages
–May compete for soil moisture & available nitrogen
–There is a need for increased manuring& water application
–Grasses may also harmful to shallow rooted trees
–Hence sod may be useful with deep rooted fruit trees
Sod and mulch
–It is similar to sod method with the only difference is that the vegetation is cut frequently &
the cut material is allowed to remain on the ground
–This method is slightly better than the previous one, as the moisture loss is not as great as in sod
–In both sod & sod mulch methods, more N should be applied to the fruit trees than usual
application because the vegetation utilizes more soil nitrogen

Mulching
– Important soil management practices
– Mulching materials should be placed close to the tree trunk but not too close
– It should be spread in such a way that they give a good cover to the root system of the trees.

Advant ages of mulching

–Conserves soil moisture , thus reduces irrigation frequency
–Prevents weed growth
–Keeps soil cool in day; warm at night hours
–Reduces surface run-off & allows the absorption of more rain water, thus prevents soil erosion
–Adds humus to the soil
–Keeps fruits clean, since they fall on the mulches

Disadvantages of mulching
–Dry materials used as mulches encourage the risk of fire & consequent damage to trees
–Thick mulches may act as places for mice & rodents to live and multiply
–These insects may cause damages to tree trunks and roots by eating the bark and burrowing into
the land
Intercropping
–In young orchards, there is considerable more free space, since trees are small

–This space can be used to grow economically important crops

–The growing of such crops in free spaces of fruit trees in the first few years is referred as
intercropping

–Intercrops also act as a cover crop

Advantages
–Reduces weeds

–Improves soil conditions (e.g. legumes add N to the soil)

–May reduce disease & insect prevalence

•E.g. planting garlic around roses repeal rose aphids

Consideration while growing intercrops

•Intercrop shouldn't be competitive to fruit trees (both in space, moisture, nutrient, light)
•Soil fertility should be maintained or improved when intercrops are grown
•The intercrops selected should not exhaust the soil water & nutrients and should not demand
more water than is allowed for fruit trees.
•Vegetables are the best inter crops, but short-lived trees are also used as intercrops, such
short-lived trees are known as 'fillers‘e.g. Papayas, bananas
•The intercrop grown should be kept well away from the main fruit trees and irrigated
independently.
•The intercropping should be stopped when trees occupy the entire orchard space
•After the canopy has closed the free areas, then only green manuringor cover cropping should
be practiced

Fertilization of orchards
•Fruit trees are fertilized in an orchard in order to ensure continued growth & fruit production

•Both organic & inorganic fertilizers are used in an orchard

•Fertilization in the first three years is very important to promote rapid growth

•It is advisable to determine the amount based on the result of soil analysis

Orchard irrigation

•Water is important for growth & development of plants including fruit crops
•There are different methods of water application in an orchard
–Furrow irrigation

–Drip irrigation

–Basin irrigation

–Sprinkler irrigation

4. What do you understand with the mother, daughter & granddaughter system in the
management of banana plant (3 points)?

Desuckering: In banana orchard, suckers have to be on the number of 3 only from the same
hole; the mother, the daughter and the granddaughter. Other suckers that are growing around
have to be removed. There is a good technic that farmers use to know which sucker has to be
removed. They place their foot between the mother sucker and the small sucker that starts to
grow around, if the sucker is so far from the mother at a distance bigger than that one in which
can be placed the foot, it has to be removed, it is so far from the mother to be feed buy the
mother sucker and it will not be a good sucker that can give a good bunch of banana.

Sucker management
  Perennial, but once the fruit is harvested, the bearing stem is cut off at the base
 Suckers compete for moisture, nutrient and light; hence yield and quality are reduced
 Leave 3 different aged suckers per mat

5. Discuss the implications of the natural root and stem development trends of papaya in respect
to the management of the crop orchard (5 points).

Papaya (Carica papaya) is a tropical fruit. This plant is believed to come

from the tropics of the Americas. From this place spread to various parts
of the world.
Papaya cultivation can be done in the lowlands up to a height of 1000
meters from sea level. But the height of optimal land ranges from 50 to
700 meters above sea level. This plant requires a rainfall of about 1000-
2000 mm per year that is evenly distributed throughout the year. In dry
seasoned areas papaya trees can still bear fruit with the help of regular
 watering.
Good soil drainage is needed in the cultivation of papaya. Stagnant water
will cause root rot in papaya plants. This plant requires loose soil with
good porosity and a soil pH of about 6-7.
The nature of papaya plants
Papaya is a shrub that can grow up to 3 meters. Papaya stems are
hollow, the tissue is soft and watery. This plant has tapering roots and
soft side roots. The root growth is shallow and rather weak.
Papaya is a shrub that can grow up to 3 meters. Papaya stems are
hollow, the tissue is soft and watery. This plant has tapering roots and
soft side roots. The root growth is shallow and rather weak.
Papaya flowers grow on the axillary leaves, either a single flower or a
series. There are three types of papaya flowers, namely male flowers,
female flowers and perfect flowers (have pistil and stamens or
hemafrodit).
Based on the nature of the flower, known papaya tree male, female tree
and tree perfect. The papaya tree will not produce fruit, while the female
papaya tree will produce rounded fruit, the fruit flesh is thin. The desired
papaya fruit with elongated shape is produced from a perfect papaya
tree.
6. Discuss the implications of flowering behaviors of avocado towards establishment of the crop
orchard (2 points).
7. Describe the effect of pruning on vegetative growth and fruiting of high density apple orchard
(10 points).

As pruning stimulates the growth of new shoots, it changes the

proportion between the tree parts (i.e., the weight relationship between
new and old wood and between aboveground and underground parts).
Knight (1934) was one of the first to initiate detailed studies on this
phenomenon. He found that dormant pruning decreases thickening of
the old stem so much that new shoot growth is unable to counterbalance
it; thus, total growth of the aboveground parts of the tree is decreased.
He also demonstrated that dormant pruning decreases the growth of
new roots. This was later confirmed by van de Haas and Hein (1973).
Outstanding experimental work on the response of whole trees to
pruning was carried out at the East Malling Research Station by Maggs
(1959,1965). Based on the studies of Gardner et al. (1922), Magness et al.
(1917), and Lockard (1956), Maggs (1959) concluded that the general
growth responses of the fruit tree to dormant winter pruning were fairly
well established and could be summarized as follows:
0 The individual shoots arising from a pruned branch are larger than
those on an unpruned branch.
0 Despite the faster growth of their individual shoots, pruned trees do

not equal unpruned trees in size, at least until fruiting has checked
the latter’s growth.

EFFECT OF SUMMER PRUNING ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS Pruning has been

practiced for ages in controlling tree size because it has much less stimulating effect on shoot re-
growth (Mika and Krzewinska, 1995). Mizutani et al. (2000) reported that the earlier summer
pruning resulted in the greater shoot length and shoot numbers in apple trees. Bruno and
Evelyn (2001) reported that shoot tipping in cherimoya significantly decreased shoot length
according to the date it was done. In Shimizuhakuto cultivar of peach, the shoot growth in light
pruned trees ceased by end of May, while in heavy pruned trees, the shoots continued to
elongate until the end of June (Fukuda et al., 2002). Zamani et al. (2006) observed that by
conducting summer pruning on apple cultivars Golab and Shafi-Abadi on M9 rootstock, trunk
cross sectional area was positively correlated with annual shoot number, total length of annual
shoots, tree volume and dormant pruning weight. Summer pruning treatments effectively
reduced the measured vegetative characters. They further reported that the treatment was
most effective when conducted 90 days after full bloom. Hassani and Rezaee (2007) conducted
field studies on the peach cultivars, Anjiri and Mahalli. Three pruning intensities namely, one
half, one third and one fourth cutting back of the bearing shoots were applied on the trees, it
was found that there was a significant increase in vegetative growth with the heavy pruning.
Melouk (2007) stimulated vegetative growth of Succary Abiad mango cv. by pruning. Salem et al.
(2008) showed that the vegetative growth of Baldy mandarin trees was improved by pruning.
Demirtas et al. (2010) reported that the pruning applications significantly affected both shoot
diameter and length. The highest shoot diameter and length were obtained from pre-harvest
summer + winter pruning application as 8.52 mm and 77.84 cm, respectively. The highest leaf
area was determined as 39.43 cm2 in post harvest pruning treatment. Depending upon pruning
severity, stage of plant development and environmental conditions like nutrient supply, soil
moisture and light, summer pruning may have a dwarfing or an invigorating influence on fruit
trees as compared to winter pruning. Summer pruning suppresses shoot growth and shoots
were shorter on summer pruned trees than contro

EFFECT OF SUMMER PRUNING ON FRUIT SET AND YIELD Summer pruning resulted in favourable
influence in relation to better fruit set and yield in pruned mango trees (Lal et al., 2000; Sharma
and Singh, 2006). Ingle et al. (2001) reported that medium pruning recorded the highest value
for the number of flowers per shoot of acid lime trees. Sharma and Chauhan (2004) recorded
the highest fruit yield in lightly pruned trees where 25% of current season’s growth was
removed than the moderate and severely pruned trees where 50 and 75% of the current
 season’s growth were removed, respectively in peach. Kumar et al. (2005) reported in Sharbati,
Flordasun and Prabhat cvs. of peach that among the three pruning intensities namely, light,
medium and severe; light pruning induced early flowering and also increased the number of
flowers as compared to other pruning treatments. Rather (2006) reported that strong pruning
delayed flowering by 6 to 9 days, increased frui
set (64.75 and 60.21%) as compared to 36.95 and 25.16% in control during 2004 and 2005,
respectively. However, maximum fruit yield (117.07 and 132.47 kg tree-1 ) was attained by
medium pruning regime as compared to 93.63 and 98.93 kg tree-1 fruit yield in control during
2004 and 2005 in Red Delicious apple. Robinson et al. (2006) reported that the yield per tree
was largely affected by the severity of pruning and the yield was greatest in the least pruned
peach trees. Shaban (2009) observed that moderate pruning and GA3 at 50 ppm proved to be
the most effective treatment for improving yield of Zebda mango trees in the off-year season.
Demirtas et al. (2010) reported that the highest average yield considering trunk cross-sectional
area was obtained as 0.34 kg cm-2 from pre-harvest summer pruning treatment and the highest
share of flower bud was observed as 68.29% in pre-harvest summer + winter pruning treatment
in apricot. Mohamed et al. (2011) reported that shortening 1/3 branches level treatment gave
the highest yield (33.62 kg/tree) followed by tipping (31.47 kg/tree), shortening 1/2 branches
level (21.72 kg/tree) than control trees (19.41 kg/tree) in plum. Summer pruning increased light
penetration within the tree canopy which strengthen spurs and increase flower bud formation.
Also, buds break at the base of pruned shoots and develop into fruiting spurs due to summer
pruning. Summer pruning performed on growing shoots removed apical dominance, released
lateral buds from correlative inhibition and changed tree form and construction which in turn,
increased flower bud initiation from lateral buds and increased the yield. EFFECT OF SUMMER
PRUNING ON RETURN BLOOM Miller and Byers (2000) reported in peach cv. Balke that the
return bloom was lowest in trees which were left unpruned or were severely pruned than the
light and heavily pruned trees. Li et al. (2003) reported that summer pruning in apple alone did
not affect the return bloom or root growth within commercial canopy ranges. Li and Lakso
(2004) reported that within commercial cropping ranges, light and moderate summer pruning
alone in apple did not affect return bloom or root growth, however, the potential negative
effect of summer pruning on fruit growth, return bloom and fine root survival can be predicted
through their relationships with physiological factors. Maas (2005) noticed that summer
regrowth caused the loss of terminal flower buds in ‘Conference’ and ‘Doyenne du Comice’
pears. EFFECT OF SUMMER PRUNING ON FRUIT PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Severely pruned
trees produced heavier and large sized fruit, with a higher percentage of fruit in 80 mm
diameter of large category (Bound and Summers, 2001). Bruno

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