Precision pruning in vegetable crops: Emerging techniques for yield optimization and canopy management

Abstract

Pruning refers to the deliberate removal of specific plant parts. These parts generally include shoots or branches, although in certain cases buds, flowers, fruits, or even roots may also be removed. The primary purpose of pruning is to eliminate non-productive plant portions so that assimilates and metabolic energy can be effectively redirected toward organs capable of bearing fruits. Pruning also helps in maintaining an appropriate balance between the root and shoot systems of the plant. Improved light penetration resulting from pruning contributes significantly to enhanced fruit quality. The distribution of dry matter within a plant is mainly governed by the sink strength of different plant organs. When the quantity of assimilates produced equals or exceeds the total sink demand, vegetative organs and fruits grow at their potential rates. However, when assimilate availability is lower than total sink strength, assimilates are allocated among leaves, stems, roots, and fruits based on their relative sink strengths. Sink strength of an organ can be expressed in terms of its potential growth rate under non-limiting assimilate supply, with fruits generally acting as strong sinks. Vegetables constitute an essential component of Indian agriculture and nutritional security owing to their short crop duration, high productivity, rich nutritional value, economic importance, and capacity to generate employment at both farm and non-farm levels. India possesses diverse agro-climatic conditions with distinct seasons, enabling cultivation of a wide range of vegetable crops. Pruning promotes faster emergence of new shoots that possess the ability to flower and bear fruits. Training and pruning practices play a crucial role in enhancing yield and quality of vegetable crops through improved photosynthetic efficiency, better plant growth, and optimal balance between vegetative and reproductive development. Although limited research has been conducted on pruning in vegetable crops, available literature addressing its effects on growth, yield, quality, and economics has been compiled and reviewed under the following headings: (1) response of pruning on vegetative growth and yield, (2) response of pruning on quality attributes, and (3) economic studies.