Classification of Bearing Habits in Fruit Trees

The bearing habit of fruit trees refers to the way flowers and fruits are borne on the plant. This classification is crucial for orchard management, pruning practices, and ensuring optimal fruit production. Fruit trees are classified based on their bearing habits into terminal bearers, axillary bearers, and intermediate bearers. Each type is further categorized based on the position and nature of flowering.

1. Terminal Bearers

These trees produce flowers and fruits at the tips of the branches or shoots.

1.1 Characteristics

• Flowering and fruiting occur at the apex of the current or previous year’s growth.
• New growth arises from buds located below the fruiting points.
• Typically exhibit less vegetative growth after fruiting due to the exhaustion of terminal buds.

1.2 Examples

• Mango (Mangifera indica): Flowers and fruits appear on terminal panicles of current season growth.
• Litchi (Litchi chinensis): Terminal buds produce panicles that bear fruits.
• Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera): Terminal inflorescences develop on the crown.

1.3 Management Implications

• Avoid pruning terminal buds during the growing season.
• Proper nutrient management is required to support fruiting and subsequent vegetative growth.

2. Axillary Bearers

These trees produce flowers and fruits in the axils of leaves or branches.

2.1 Characteristics

• Flowering occurs on lateral buds in the leaf axils.
• Fruiting is often continuous as new lateral buds are produced annually.
• These plants tend to exhibit vigorous vegetative growth along with fruiting.

2.2 Examples

• Guava (Psidium guajava): Flowers and fruits develop in the leaf axils on current or past season’s growth.
• Grapes (Vitis vinifera): Fruiting occurs on axillary buds of the current season’s growth.
• Papaya (Carica papaya): Fruits develop from the axillary flowers on the main stem.

2.3 Management Implications

• Regular pruning encourages the production of new lateral buds.
• Proper canopy management ensures light penetration to axillary buds for better fruit set.

3. Intermediate Bearers

These trees produce flowers and fruits on spurs, short shoots, or intermediate branches of older wood.

3.1 Characteristics

• Flowering occurs on specialized structures (spurs or short shoots) that develop on older wood.
• Spurs are perennial and may produce fruits for several years before declining.
• Fruiting is not confined to terminal or axillary positions but occurs on these specialized structures.

3.2 Examples

• Apple (Malus domestica): Fruits are borne on spurs that develop on two- to three-year-old wood.
• Pear (Pyrus spp.): Spurs on older wood bear flowers and fruits.
• Cherry (Prunus spp.): Fruiting occurs on spurs or lateral buds on older branches.

3.3 Management Implications

• Spurs must be preserved during pruning, as they are vital for fruiting.
• Rejuvenation pruning can promote the development of new spurs when older ones decline.

4. Mixed Bearers

These trees exhibit both terminal and axillary fruiting habits.

4.1 Characteristics

• Fruiting occurs at both the terminal ends and in the axils of leaves.
• This habit is common in species that have a long flowering and fruiting season.

4.2 Examples

• Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana): Flowers and fruits are borne on both terminal and axillary buds.
• Fig (Ficus carica): Fruiting occurs on both terminal and axillary buds.

4.3 Management Implications

• Balanced pruning is essential to maintain both terminal and axillary buds.
• Continuous growth and fruiting require efficient nutrient and water management.

5. Specific Bearing Habits in Select Crops

Some fruit trees have unique bearing habits that influence their management.

5.1 Biennial Bearing

• Certain species, like mango and apple, show alternate bearing tendencies, with high yields one year and low yields the next.
• Management: Thinning of flowers and fruits during heavy-bearing years can help balance the yield.

5.2 Flowering on Current vs. Old Wood

• Current Season Growth: Examples include papaya and banana.
• Old Season Growth: Examples include apple and pear, where spurs on older wood bear fruit.

Summary Table of Bearing Habits