Effect of post-harvest pruning on the control of tree size and yield of mango

Abstract

High yield and good quality of mango is desired by the mango manufactures for commercial cultivation. In recent time, mango cultivating area is increasing rapidly because of high gross return. However, sometimes close plantation, lack of orchard management practices and older mango trees produced small sized mango with low yield. An experiment was conducted at Regional Horticulture Research Station, Chapai Nawabganj during 15 July, 2008 to15 July 2010. Pruning is an important practice in mango plants for quality of mango production, controlling tree size and high yield of mango. Essentially, pruning should maintain a good balance between growth and fruiting. In this experiment, five different level of pruning; T₁=Light pruning (10 cm down from the apex), T₂ = Moderate pruning (20 cm down from the apex), T₃= Severe pruning (30 cm down from the apex), T₄= Very severe pruning (40 cm down from the apex) and T₅= Control (No pruning practice) were practiced. Among the treatments, T₃ (30 cm down from apex) gave the highest fruit yield and good quality mango. In this treatment, individual fruit weight, yield per plant, fruit size and fruit color were showed good result compared with consecutive three years. Considering the experimental objectives, manufactures demand of pruning (30 cm down from the apex) gave satisfactory yield and control tree size with good tree canopy.