Impact of pruning on rejuvenation of declining Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco.) orchard

Abstract

In an endeavour to assess the efficacy of pruning on averting declining condition of Nagpur mandarin orchard, it was found that pruning declining trees at 180cm from ground level was effective. The tree pruned at this height had rejuvenated growth behaviour. Under this treatment the plant had 0.72 metre height above the pruning level. Further, at this level of pruning there was 6.57cm diameter of sprouted shoots, 3.42cm length of internodes, 23.50cm² leaf area and 25.52cm perimeter of leaves. Plant height was found negatively correlated with diameter of sprouted shoots. Number of nodes was found having significant positive correlation with leaf area. Level of rejuvenation pruning had significant positive correlation with diameter of sprouted shoots, number of nodes, length of internodes, leaf area and yield. It was found negatively correlated to plant height. The plant pruned at 180cm height produced 47kg fruits in contrast to only 14kg in control (unpruned) plant which was 336 per cent higher above control plant.