Effect of levels of pruning on growth parameters of guava var. Sardar

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of different levels of pruning on growth, yield and quality of guava (Psidium guajava L.) Var. Sardar was undertaken on eight year old guava plants at the Instructional-Cum-Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Latur during 2012-13. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design with seven treatments replicated thrice. The results of the present study indicated significant differences with respect to growth parameters. The growth parameters like maximum weight of pruned material, the minimum days required for sprouting of shoots, maximum length of shoots, maximum diameter of shoot, maximum decrease in E-W and N-S spread of plant, maximum reduction in height of plant were recorded in the treatment of (T1) retention of main trunk up to 1m along with primary branches 1 m and secondary branches 0.50m. and the treatment (T2) retention of main trunk up to 1 m along with primary branches 1m and secondary branches 1 m. While maximum no. of shoots per plant, minimum days required for flowering, minimum days required from pruning to fruit set were recorded in 50%, 33%, and 25% heading back of tertiary branches. Pruning practice in guava with heading back of tertiary branches at 50%, 33% and 25% are beneficial for obtaining maximum growth.