Effect of different beheading levels on initial growth parameters of Mango under high density planting cv. Keshar and Vanraj

Abstract

The investigation was conducted at Instructional cum Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, MPKV., Rahuri during the year 2015 and 2016 on thirty years old, high density planted (5m x 5m) mango orchard in FRBD with two varieties (V1:- Keshar and V2:- Vanraj) and three beheading levels (H1:-1.0m, H2:-1.5m and H3:-2.0m). Trees were beheaded during 1st fortnight of December, 2015. The studies on growth, after beheading revealed significant difference in various growth parameters. Earliest bud sprouting was observed in trees beheaded at 2.0 m height (20.53 days) and in variety Vanraj (29.54 days), and late sprouting (46.53 days) was in 1.0 m beheaded trees and in Keshar (31.67 days). The maximum number of sprouts on primary and secondary branch was recorded on 2.0 m beheaded trees. At 150 days after beheading significantly higher shoot length (91.28cm) and diameter (2.05cm) was recorded in trees beheaded at 1.0 m height and 2.0 m height, respectively. With respect to varieties, maximum sprouts on trunk, primary and secondary branches, higher shoot length and diameter was recorded in Vanraj. Earlier canopy development was observed in beheading of 1.5 and 2.0 m height and earlier canopy development was in Vanraj. Thus, with a view to have earlier canopy development and may be fruiting, trees may be pruned at 1.5 m and 2.0 m height.