canopy management in fruit crops - Department of Agriculture & Co ...
canopy management in fruit crops - Department of Agriculture & Co ...
canopy management in fruit crops - Department of Agriculture & Co ...
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20<br />
Canopy Management <strong>in</strong> Fruit Crops<br />
Carambola<br />
In carambola, tree size control is important for reta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>fruit</strong> production <strong>in</strong> the lower<br />
tree canopies and for facilitat<strong>in</strong>g foliar spray<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and harvest<strong>in</strong>g. Currently, there are not many<br />
recommendations for tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g young carambola trees<br />
<strong>in</strong> commercial orchards. However, research on mature<br />
trees has demonstrated that remov<strong>in</strong>g upright limbs<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g late w<strong>in</strong>ter (February/March) and then remov<strong>in</strong>g<br />
selected new regrowth (shoots) and head<strong>in</strong>g back<br />
rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g new shoots to one half <strong>of</strong> their length <strong>in</strong> early<br />
fall (September/October), can ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> desired tree<br />
height without significantly reduc<strong>in</strong>g <strong>fruit</strong> production.<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g the first 1 - 2 years after plant<strong>in</strong>g, young<br />
trees should be pruned by tipp<strong>in</strong>g shoots <strong>in</strong> excess<br />
<strong>of</strong> 40 - 50 cm to <strong>in</strong>crease branch<strong>in</strong>g. If desired, trees<br />
may be tra<strong>in</strong>ed to a modified central leader or open centre configuration.<br />
Mature trees may be selectively pruned to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> trees at 1.5 - 3.5 m height.<br />
Selectively remov<strong>in</strong>g a few upper limbs back to their orig<strong>in</strong> (crotches) each year will<br />
Better <strong>fruit</strong><strong>in</strong>g after prun<strong>in</strong>g<br />
help prevent the loss <strong>of</strong> the lower tree <strong>canopy</strong> due to<br />
shad<strong>in</strong>g by the upper <strong>canopy</strong>.<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Well ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed tree canopies<br />
In addition, ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g a smaller tree facilitates<br />
tree care and <strong>fruit</strong> harvest<strong>in</strong>g, makes it easier to<br />
spray the tree, and greatly reduces possible storm<br />
damage. Do not remove lower tree branches.<br />
Prun<strong>in</strong>g done <strong>in</strong> August may result <strong>in</strong> <strong>fruit</strong><strong>in</strong>g dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
October, while prun<strong>in</strong>g dur<strong>in</strong>g November-December<br />
allows <strong>fruit</strong><strong>in</strong>g dur<strong>in</strong>g February-April or June.