Lecture Notes: Training and Pruning in Orchulture

Introduction

• Focus on important orchard operations: Training and Pruning
• Objective: Maintain growth, vigor, yield, and quality of fruit trees.

Training vs. Pruning

• Training
  • Initiated in early stages (nursery stage)
  • Shapes and directs growth into a proper form
  • Methods: Open VAS, Central Leader, Modified Central Leader
• Pruning
  • Initiated in later stages (after plant is developed and bearing)
  • Maintains and improves existing shape
  • Methods: Thinning out, Heading back, Ringing, Girdling

Training Techniques

Methods of Training

1. Open Center/Vase System
   • Central leader is removed; scaffold branches grow wide
   • Benefits: Good light interception, higher fruiting
   • Drawbacks: Weak structure, not suitable for heavy crop load
2. Central Leader System
   • Central leader allowed to grow uninterrupted
   • Benefits: Stronger tree structure
   • Drawbacks: Less fruiting, lower sunlight interception
3. Modified Central Leader System
   • Combination of both Open Center and Central Leader
   • Grows leader for 4-5 years, then pruned
   • Advantages: Moderate height, good light interception

Parts of a Trained Tree

• Trunk: Main woody stem
• Head: Point from where first scaffold branch arises
• Scaffold Branch: Main branches
• Crotch Angle: Angle between trunk and scaffold branch (should be wide 45-60 degrees)
• Leader: Main growing branch from ground to tip

Pruning Techniques

Principles and Objectives

• Remove damaged or diseased branches
• Maintain balance between vegetative and reproductive growth
• Regular bearing, proper sunlight exposure
• Increase productivity and longevity of trees

Methods of Pruning

1. Thinning Out: Entire removal of branches
2. Heading Back: Removal of terminal portion
3. Ringing and Girdling: Removal of bark rings
4. Dehorning: Removal of intermingling branches
5. Notching and Nicking: Encourages growth by making cuts near buds

Seasonal Pruning

• Dormant Pruning: Done in late winter to avoid chilling injury
• Summer Pruning: Specific uses to slow tree growth

Special Practices

• Bending: Increases fruit production, common in Guava
• Smudging: Smoke practice to promote flowering and fruiting, used in Mango

Conclusion

• Training establishes the shape, while pruning maintains it.
• Both operations are crucial for achieving high yield and quality in fruit trees.
• Upcoming topics: Propagation methods in horticulture.