Effect of shoot pruning and different planting systems on...

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) 'the apple of the tropics',

is one of the most important fruit crops grown in

India. It belongs to the family Myrtaceae. The guava

fruit has gained a considerable prominence on account of its

high food value, a pleasant aroma, rich flavour and availability

in the market at moderate prices (Bal and Dhaliwal, 2003). In

general, guava bears in three seasons namely rainy, winter

and spring seasons in a year. Under Tarai conditions, guava

trees produce 90 per cent crop in rainy season, 8-9 per cent in

winter season and 1-2 per cent in spring season (Lal, 1992).

Fruits of rainy season crop are insipid, poor in quality, less

nutritive and are also attacked by insect pests and diseases.

On the other hand fruits of winter season crop are superior in

quality, comparatively free from diseases and insect pests

and fetch higher prices in the market (Rathore and Singh, 1976).

Members of the Research Forum

Associate Author :1Department of Horticulture,

College of Agriculture, G.B. Pant

University of Agriculture and

Technology, Pantnagar, U.S.

NAGAR (UTTARAKHAND)

INDIA

HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

Recently shoot pruning have been reported to be successful

in regulating the crop of guava in spite of that reduces the tree

size and improves the fruit quality. This gives an opportunity

to increase the number of trees per unit area (Lal et al., 2000).

Very scanty information is available regarding shoot pruning

and planting systems in guava, therefore, an experiment was

initiated to study the effect of shoot pruning and different

planting systems on growth, yield and quality of guava cv.

SARDAR.

RESEARCH METHODS

The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture

Research Centre, Patharchatta of G.B. Pant University of

Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during the year 2006-

Effect of shoot pruning and different planting systems on

vegetative growth, yield and quality of guava cv. SARDAR

PRATIBHA AND SHANT LAL1

THE ASIAN JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

Article history :

Received : 22.11.2011

Revised : 05.02.2012

Accepted : 20.03.2012

Research Paper

Author for correspondence :

PRATIBHA

Department of Horticulture,

College of Agriculture, G.B. Pant

University of Agriculture and

Technology, Pantnagar, U.S.

NAGAR (UTTARAKHAND)

INDIA

Email : pratibhahorti@rediffmail.

com

Volume 7 | Issue 1 | June, 2012 | 65-71

Abstract : The present investigation was carried out on guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. SARDAR during

the years 2006-07 and 2007-08 to investigate the effect of different shoot pruning levels and planting

systems on shoot emergence, number of fruits per tree, fruit yield and fruit quality. The treatment

consisted of two shoot pruning levels i.e. one leaf pair shoot pruning, unpruned (control), and five

planting systems i.e. square system, hedgerow system, double hedge row system, paired system and

cluster system of planting. Thus, there were ten treatment combinations replicated thrice in Factorial

Randomized Design with single tree as a treatment unit. Findings revealed that one leaf pair shoot

pruning significantly influenced the emergence of new shoot, fruit set (%), number of fruits per tree,

yield (kg/tree) and fruit quality. In the year 2006-07, the maximum number of new shoots emerged

(40.21) in cluster system of planting with one leaf pair shoot pruning during winter season, while in the

year 2007-08, the maximum number of new shoots emerged (41.83) in double hedge row system of

planting with one leaf pair shoot pruning during winter season when compared with other treatment

combinations. More number of fruits per tree was found in rainy season with control treatment while,

it was maximum in winter season with one leaf pair shoot pruning during both the years. In one leaf pair

shoot pruned trees; yield was significantly less than the unpruned trees in rainy season whereas, yield

was significantly more in one leaf pair shoot pruned trees than unpruned trees in winter season. Fruit

yield per tree increased with decrease in plant population per unit area. Wider spacing gave higher fruit

weight, size, TSS, acidity, ascorbic acid and TSS: acid ratio of guava fruits than closer spacing.

Key words : Guava, Shoot pruning, Planting systems, Growth, Yield, Quality

How to cite this article : Pratibha and Lal, Shant (2012). Effect of shoot pruning and different planting

systems on vegetative growth, yield and quality of guava cv. SARDAR, Asian J. Hort., 7(1) : 65-71.

Hind Agricultural Research and Training InstituteAsian J. Hort., 7(1) June, 2012 : 66

07 and 2007-08. Seven year old trees of guava cv. Sardar of

uniform vigour and size, planted in different planting systems

and maintained under uniform cultural practices were selected

for study. The treatments consisted of two factors viz., two

shoot pruning levels and five planting systems. Thus, there

were ten treatment combinations replicated thrice in

Randomized Block Design with single tree as a treatment unit.

The details of the treatments and the symbols allotted to them

are given below:

Table A :

Factor 1 : Shoot pruning: 2 levels

Sr. No. Treatments Symbol used

1. Unpruned (control) P0

2. One leaf pair shoot pruning P1

Shoot pruning of current season’s growth was done as

per treatment retaining only one leaf pair at the base of the

shoot. It was performed with the help of secateur in the first

week of May during both the years. Data were recorded for

both rainy and winter season on number of new shoots (the

emergence of new shoots was counted on the four selected

branches having approximately equal diameter and spread

over in all the directions of each tree), number of fruits per tree

(total fruits retained at the time of harvesting on trees were

counted) and yield kg/ tree (total number of fruits on each tree

multiplied by the mean fruit weight at the time of harvest and

fruits yield per tree in kg was worked out), mean fruit weight

(weight of ten fruits was recorded on a physical balance and

mean weight (g) was obtained by dividing the total weight of

the fruits with the number of fruits), fruit length (measured in

cm from the apex to stem end of the fruit by digital Vernier’s

calliper), fruit diameter (measured in cm at widest point of fruit

by digital Vernier’s calliper), total soluble solids (with the help

of digital refractrometer), acidity (calculated by titrating the

fruit pulp aliquot against 0.1 NaOH as suggested by A.O.A.C.,

1970), ascorbic acid (by reduction of 2,6- dichlorophenol

indophenol dye) and TSS: acid ratio during both the years i.e.

Factor 2 : Planting systems: 5 levels

Sr.

No.

Treatments

(Planting systems)

Symbols Planting

density

(21m× 21m)

Tree

population

per

hectare

1. Square or standard

system

S1 9 trees 204 trees

2. Hedgerow system S2 15 trees 340 trees

3. Double Hedgerow

system

S3 20 trees 453 trees

4. Paired system S4 12 trees 272 trees

5. Cluster system S5 16 trees 363 trees

2006 and 2007. The data were statistically analyzed for analysis

of variance according to Snedecor and Cochran (1999) for

Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD).

RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

The data pertaining to number of new shoot emergence

(Table 1) revealed that shoot pruning treatments and planting

systems significantly affected the number of new shoots per

branch during both the years of rainy and winter season,

respectively. A perusal of data indicates that shoot pruning

decreased the number of shoots per branch during rainy

season and subsequently increased in winter season during

both the years. During the year 2006-07, maximum number of

new shoots per branch (37.88) was found in plants with

highest plant population i.e. double hedgerow system of

planting followed by hedgerow system (32.50) and minimum

number (27.52) in plants with lowest plant population i.e.

square system of planting in rainy season, while in winter

season maximum number of new shoots per branch (23.91)

was found in double hedgerow system of planting which was

at par with cluster system of planting and minimum number

(17.56) in square system of planting. However, maximum number

of new shoots per branch was found in double hedgerow

system of planting followed by cluster system of planting

and minimum in square system of planting during both the

seasons (rainy and winter) of the year 2007-08. The interaction

was found to be non significant for number of new shoots per

branch in both the years (Table 1) except in winter season

crop of 2006-07. The number of new shoots was significantly

increased with one leaf pair shoot pruning in all the planting

systems. The trees planted in high density planting produced

more number of new shoots per branch (Lotter and Lotter,

1990; Sheikh and Hulmani, 1997; Jadhav et al., 1998; Saxena,

2002 and Mahajan, 2004).

Number of fruits per tree is an important component of

yield. Shoot pruning had highly significant effect on number

of fruits per tree in rainy and winter season of both the years

(Table 1). In rainy season, unpruned trees produced higher

number of fruits, while in winter season the trend was just

reversed. One leaf pair shoot pruned trees produced lesser

number of fruits in rainy season and more number of fruits in

winter season in comparison to unpruned trees. Decreasing

plant population significantly increased the number of fruits

per tree in both the seasons as well as annually. The maximum

number of fruits was obtained from the Square system of

planting during both the years i.e. 2006 and 2007. Treatment

combination unpruned and square system of planting gave

maximum number of fruits per tree in rainy season during both

the years. Minimum number of fruits per tree was obtained

with the treatment combination of one leaf pair shoot pruning

and double hedgerow system of planting in rainy season

during both the years. However, in winter season maximum

number of fruits per tree was obtained with treatment

PRATIBHA AND SHANT LAL

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combination of one leaf pair shoot pruning and square system

of planting, while minimum number of fruits per tree was

obtained with treatment combination of unpruned and double

hedgerow system of planting during both the years (Table 1).

Shoot pruning significantly decreased the number of fruits

per tree during rainy season and subsequently increased the

yield significantly during winter season. It might be due to

the fact that the plant accumulates food reserve during rainy

season which was diverted for the development of more fruits

during winter season (Chandra and Govind, 1995).

A close examination of data presented in Table 2 indicated

that shoot pruning significantly affected the yield per tree

during both the years. One leaf pair shoot pruning significantly

decreased the fruit yield per tree during rainy season and

subsequently increased the yield significantly during winter

season. It might be due to the fact that the plants prepare

food during rainy season which was diverted for the

development of more fruits during winter season (Chandra

and Govind, 1995).

Shoot pruning increased the mean fruit weight

significantly in both the seasons i.e. rainy and winter seasons

(Table 2). One leaf pair shoot pruning treatment gave

significantly higher mean fruit weight than unpruned trees.

Planting systems had only significant effect on mean fruit

weight in winter season of 2007-08. As the plant population

increased, mean fruit weight decreased significantly during

both the seasons. Fruits obtained from square system of

planting had maximum fruit weight, while double hedgerow

system gave fruits of minimum weight, which was at par with

hedgerow planting system. However, interaction of shoot

pruning × planting system had no significant effect on mean

fruit weight in either of the season of both the years.

At a glance of data presented in Table 3 clearly indicate

that shoot pruning increased fruit length and fruit diameter

significantly during both the seasons. The fruit length was

decreased significantly with increasing plant population

during rainy season, while it did not differ significantly during

winter season. On the other hand planting systems had

significant effect on fruit diameter during winter season but it

did not affect fruit diameter during rainy season. Interaction

between shoot pruning and planting system had no significant

effect on mean fruit length and mean fruit diameter in either of

the season of both the years.

Smaller fruit size and lesser fruit weight in closer spacing

might be due to more competition between source (leaves)

and sink (fruits) absorbing carbohydrates reserves for their

growth and development. At closer spacing, rate of

photosynthesis might also be reduced due to lesser

penetration of light and limited leaf area. Lower leaves did not

receive the significant amount of light for photosynthesis as

compared to widely spaced trees. Lesser weight, size and

volume of fruit at closer spacing have also been reported by

Chundawat et al. (1992), Lal (1992), and Kumar and Singh

EFFECT OF SHOOT PRUNING & DIFFERENT PLANTING SYSTEMS ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH, YIELD & QUALITY OF GUAVA

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(2000) in guava.

It is evident from the data presented in Table 4 that shoot

pruning increased T.S.S. and total titratable acidity content of

the fruits during rainy and winter seasons of both the years.

Planting systems had significant effect on T.S.S. and total

titratable acidity content of the fruits during both the seasons

of the year 2006-07 and 2007-08. TSS content of fruit increased

with decrease in plant population. However, the maximum TSS

(13.04%) was found in winter season crop with square system

of planting during both the years i.e. 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Interaction between shoot pruning and planting system had

only significant effect on TSS content of fruit in winter season

of 2007-08. Maximum TSS content of fruit was obtained in

treatment combination one leaf pair shoot pruning and square

system of planting (P1 ×S

1). Lowest T.S.S content was reported

in treatment combination unpruned and double hedgerow

system of planting (P0 × S

3). On the other hand decrease in

plant population, decreased the total titratable acidity of guava

fruits and increase in plant population significantly increased

the total titratable acidity. This is may be due to lower rate of

reduction of starch to sugars, competition and light

unavailability. These results are in close conformity to Lal

(1992) and Mishra (2000). However, the maximum total titratable

acidity (0.74 %) was found in winter season crop in double

hedgerow system of planting in first year. Similar trend was

noted during second year. Interaction between shoot pruning

and planting system had no significant effect on total titratable

acidity of the season of both the years

Close examination of data presented in Table 5 showed

that shoot pruning increased ascorbic acid content of the

fruits during rainy as well as winter seasons of both the years.

Planting systems had significant effect on ascorbic acid

content of the fruits during both the seasons of the year 2006-

07 and 2007-08. Ascorbic acid content of fruit increased with

decrease in plant population. However, the maximum ascorbic

acid content was found during winter season crop in square

system of planting during both the years. Interaction between

shoot pruning and planting system had no significant effect

on total titratable acidity during rainy and winter seasons of

both the years.

Shoot pruning did not significantly affect the TSS: acid

ratio of the fruits during rainy as well as winter seasons of

both the years (Table 5). However, planting systems had

significant effect on TSS: acid ratio of the fruits during both

the seasons of the year 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. TSS: acid

ratio of fruits increased with decrease in plant population.

This may be due to more increase in acidity and adequate

quality of carbohydrate reserves, due to sufficient light

interruption. These results are close conformity with Lal (1992)

and Pandey et al. (1997). However, the maximum TSS: acid

ratio was found in winter season crop in Square system of

planting in the first year. Similar results were obtained during

second year. Interaction between shoot pruning and planting


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system had no significant effect on TSS : acid ratio in any of

the season of both the years. It is apparent from the data that

chemical quality characters of fruits in winter season were

invariably higher than rainy season crop. The superiority of

fruits with respect of chemical quality characters in winter

season might be due to the effect of low temperature received

at the time of fruit ripening.

Low temperature not only retarded the excessive loss of

respiratory substance (Kliewer and Lider, 1970) but also

increased the translocation of photosynthates from leaves to

other parts of the plant including fruits (Went, 1944). In guava

vegetative growth is almost ceased during winter season

(Rathore, 1972) due to lower temperature and this leads to the

accumulation of more food reserves with in the plants,

particularly in the fruits (Crane, 1969).

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Agricultural Chemists. 11th Ed. Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

Bal, J.S. and Dhaliwal, G.S. (2003). High density planting studies in

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density planting. Tropical Agric., 72(2): 110-113.

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Crane, J.C. (1969). The role of hormones in fruit set and development.

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