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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Mango<br />
Tree <strong>canopy</strong> <strong>management</strong>, especially size control, has become a priority for reduc<strong>in</strong>g<br />
production cost and <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g <strong>fruit</strong> yield and quality. However, unlike temperate <strong>fruit</strong>s,<br />
where tree <strong>management</strong> technologies have been developed and ref<strong>in</strong>ed for over a century,<br />
the similar tools and experiences can be applied with a few modifications <strong>in</strong> mango. Tree<br />
<strong>management</strong> techniques, specifically for mango have been developed and are be<strong>in</strong>g used <strong>in</strong><br />
different parts <strong>of</strong> the world, which can be adopted after certa<strong>in</strong> modifications <strong>in</strong> different mango<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g regions. Early height control and tree <strong>canopy</strong> <strong>management</strong> are important techniques<br />
and should be practised <strong>in</strong> India.<br />
Similarly, the problem <strong>of</strong> large tree size <strong>in</strong> mango can be tackled by us<strong>in</strong>g topp<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
hedg<strong>in</strong>g because large and crowded trees pose many disadvantages. Appropriate height,<br />
topp<strong>in</strong>g and hedg<strong>in</strong>g, cutt<strong>in</strong>g angles, as well as time and frequency <strong>of</strong> hedg<strong>in</strong>g determ<strong>in</strong>ed for<br />
mango, which are common practices <strong>in</strong> Israel, USA, Australia and South Africa, can be used for<br />
<strong>in</strong>creased efficiency and production <strong>in</strong> India. Shap<strong>in</strong>g the mango tree immediately after plant<strong>in</strong>g<br />
has its own importance for keep<strong>in</strong>g desirable plant height at first branch<strong>in</strong>g, so that proper<br />
clearance for equipment is possible.<br />
New Orchard<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Head<strong>in</strong>g back <strong>of</strong> plants when they atta<strong>in</strong> the age <strong>of</strong> one<br />
year.<br />
Head<strong>in</strong>g back should be done with a sharp secateur to give<br />
a sharp and smooth cut dur<strong>in</strong>g October-December.<br />
Height <strong>of</strong> head<strong>in</strong>g back should be 60-70 cm from the<br />
ground.<br />
Head<strong>in</strong>g back results <strong>in</strong> emergence <strong>of</strong> new shoots dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
March - April (spr<strong>in</strong>g season).<br />
For development <strong>of</strong> ideal open <strong>canopy</strong>, th<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong><br />
excessive shoots is needed dur<strong>in</strong>g May. Th<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g should<br />
New shoots develop after<br />
head<strong>in</strong>g back<br />
Canopy Management <strong>in</strong> Fruit Crops 55