Pruning experiments were conducted during 2000/01 and 2001/02 on 5-year-old Phalsa to standardize pruning height for better growth and maximum production of quality fruits under the arid ecosystem of western Rajasthan, India. The pruning treatments comprised: 0 cm (T1); 10 cm (T2); 20 cm (T3); 30 cm (T4); 40 cm (T5); 50 cm (T6); 60 cm (T7); 70 cm (T8); and no pruning (T9). At 30 months after pruning, the earliest number of days to new growth and the highest height of new growth were obtained with T8 for both seasons. The highest number of canes per plant were obtained with T6 and T5 during 2001 and 2002, respectively. T5 gave the highest average yield per plant. Comparative data on the effect of pruning on flowering and fruiting of phalsa are also tabulated. Authors: Singh, D. B., Awasthi, O. P., Singh, R. S. Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Beechwal, Bikaner – 334 006, Rajasthan, India.
Horticultural Journal, 2004 (Vol. 17) (No. 1) 9-13 published by Society for Advancement of Horticulture