canopy management in fruit crops - Department of Agriculture & Co ...

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To achieve this, the leader can be trained one way along the wire and suitably placed
shoot can be trained in opposite direction as the second leader. Alternately, the initial
shoot can be cut just below the wire to force the production of 2 leaders which can be
trained as leaders along the wire.
From the permanent leaders, a system of temporary fruiting arms 25-40cm apart is
developed, at right angle along both sides of each leader. These arms are tied down
to outrigger wires to hold them in position taking care not to break them out at
their bases.
The leader is not allowed to twist tightly around the wire or a restriction of sap
flow in future could result in weakening the vine. Using substantial training as
leader hastens full development of fruiting arms and time of full production.
Growth may be relatively slow during first season but within 3-4 years the fence
should be furnished with strong leaders and fruiting arms in each direction.
Training of vines over a pergola is similar to that of T-bar fence. The vines are
grown as straight, single trunk until they reach a height of 2m near the top of
the structure.
A single, strong, permanent leader is then allowed to grow in each direction along the main
wire.
To form the canopy of pergola, a system of fruiting arm is developed from the leaders at
right angle to the wire. Fruiting arms can be retained longer on pergolas and may be more
permanent than on T-bar. On more permanent fruiting arms, temporary fruiting laterals are
allowed to develop. It usually takes up to 7 years for a pergola to become fully furnished
with vine growth.
Rejuvenation in Kiwi
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Knowledge of growth and fruiting habit of kiwi vine is essential for its pruning. The
vine grows 2-4m every year which may become over crowded and unmanageable if
not controlled by both summer and winter pruning.
The fruits develop only on current season’s growth, arising from the buds developed
in previous year. Only basal 3-6 buds of current season’s growth are productive. The
shoots developed on older wood, by heading back, do not fruit normally in first season.
Good quality fruits develop on the exposed vines. A shoot dies gradually if it is pruned
just beyond the fruiting bud.
Canopy Management in Fruit Crops 49