Principles and Methods of Pruning of Fruit Crops

B. Sc. Agriculture (Hons.) Ist. Semester (Six Deam Commitee of ICAR)

Principles and Methods of Pruning of Fruit Crops

Introduction

Pruning is one of the most important cultural operations in fruit crops.
It is closely associated with training and is essential for maintaining tree health, regulating growth, and ensuring regular and high-quality fruit production.
Pruning is both an art and a science — it requires understanding of plant physiology, growth habit, and fruiting behavior of different species.

Definition

Pruning is the selective removal of certain parts of a plant such as branches, shoots, buds, or roots to regulate growth, shape, and fruiting and to maintain plant health and productivity.

Objectives of Pruning

Objective	Purpose / Explanation
1. To regulate plant growth	Controls size, shape, and vegetative growth for better management.
2. To maintain tree shape and balance	Keeps symmetry and desired form as developed during training.
3. To improve light penetration and air circulation	Increases photosynthesis and reduces pest/disease incidence.
4. To remove dead, diseased, or damaged wood	Prevents spread of diseases and pests.
5. To encourage new fruiting wood	Ensures continuous and regular bearing.
6. To rejuvenate old trees	Revives unproductive orchards and promotes new shoot growth.
7. To facilitate cultural operations	Makes spraying, harvesting, and pruning easier.
8. To improve fruit quality	Larger, better-colored, and uniform fruits are obtained.
9. To balance vegetative and reproductive growth	Prevents alternate bearing and maintains consistent yield.

Principles of Pruning

Pruning must be performed carefully and scientifically, keeping in mind the physiology and behavior of each fruit species.

General Principles

Know the fruiting habit of the crop (whether fruits form on new shoots, old wood, or current season’s growth).
- Example:
  - Mango bears on current season’s shoots.
  - Apple and Pear bear on spurs (old wood).
  - Grapes bear on current season’s shoots from old canes.
Remove only what is necessary — excessive pruning reduces yield and delays bearing.
Cut at the right place:
- Always make cuts just above a healthy outward-facing bud or branch.
- Avoid leaving long stubs or deep cuts.
Maintain a balanced canopy — retain sufficient leaves for photosynthesis.
Remove dead, diseased, crossing, and crowded branches regularly.
Encourage proper light penetration — open the center in spreading trees.
Prune during dormancy or after harvest, depending on crop type.
Use clean, sharp, sterilized tools to prevent infection.
Seal large wounds with fungicidal paste (e.g., Bordeaux paste or copper oxychloride).
Always aim for gradual rejuvenation — never prune severely at once unless in rejuvenation pruning.

Physiological Principles

Apical dominance: Removal of terminal bud (heading back) encourages lateral branching.
Source–sink relationship: Pruning redistributes nutrients and energy toward fewer shoots and fruits.
Light interception: Proper pruning improves canopy illumination and photosynthetic activity.
Hormonal balance: Cutting induces cytokinin production, promoting shoot emergence.

Types (Methods) of Pruning

Pruning is classified based on purpose, extent, and season.

Based on Purpose

Type of Pruning	Description	Example Crops
1. Formative (Training) Pruning	Done in early years to shape the young tree and establish framework.	Mango, Apple, Guava
2. Maintenance Pruning	Annual removal of unwanted, dead, or diseased branches to maintain shape and health.	Citrus, Guava, Sapota
3. Rejuvenation Pruning	Heavy pruning of old or unproductive trees to induce new shoot growth.	Ber, Guava, Mango
4. Renewal Pruning	Cutting old fruiting wood to promote new fruit-bearing shoots.	Grapes, Pomegranate
5. Thinning Out	Removal of entire branches or shoots at their origin to reduce overcrowding and improve light penetration.	Peach, Plum
6. Heading Back	Cutting terminal portion of shoots to promote lateral branching and compact growth.	Apple, Guava
7. Pinching	Nipping off soft shoot tips with fingers to encourage branching.	Grape, Rose, Bougainvillea
8. Root Pruning	Cutting roots to reduce vigor and induce fruiting.	Apple (nursery plants)

Based on Season

Type	Season / Time	Example Crops
1. Winter or Dormant Pruning	Done during dormant season (Dec–Jan) in deciduous fruit trees. Stimulates vegetative growth in spring.	Apple, Pear, Peach, Plum
2. Summer Pruning	Done after fruit harvest to control excessive vegetative growth.	Guava, Mango, Grapes

Steps Involved in Pruning

Study the tree structure before pruning.
Remove diseased, dead, and crossing branches first.
Thin out overcrowded branches to open the canopy.
Head back long, unproductive shoots to stimulate new lateral shoots.
Maintain symmetry of the canopy by pruning evenly on all sides.
Apply fungicidal paste on large wounds.
Collect and destroy pruned material to prevent pest and disease buildup.

Tools Used in Pruning

Tool	Purpose
Secateurs (hand pruner)	For cutting small shoots and twigs.
Pruning saw	For cutting thick branches.
Lopping shears	For medium-sized branches.
Knife or budding knife	For smooth and precise cutting.
Pole pruner	For cutting high branches.
Disinfectant solution	For sterilizing tools (e.g., copper sulfate solution).

Effects of Pruning

Aspect	Effect
Vegetative growth	Encourages balanced growth and reduces crowding.
Flowering and fruiting	Promotes formation of fruiting wood and enhances fruit size.
Light distribution	Improves photosynthetic efficiency.
Air circulation	Reduces fungal diseases and pests.
Fruit quality	Improves color, flavor, and size.
Tree vigor and longevity	Extends productive life of tree.

Crop-wise Pruning Practices

Fruit Crop	Type / Time of Pruning	Remarks
Mango	Light pruning after harvest	Remove dead, diseased branches; rejuvenate old trees by heading back.
Guava	Heading back in summer (June–July)	Induces new shoots for winter crop.
Citrus	Light pruning after fruit harvest	Avoid severe pruning.
Apple / Pear	Winter pruning	Cut old spurs; retain 2–3-year-old fruiting wood.
Grapes	Renewal pruning (annually)	Cut old canes, retain 2–4 buds for next season.
Ber / Aonla	Rejuvenation pruning	Cut back to 1–1.5 m to induce new shoots.
Pomegranate	Annual pruning	Remove water sprouts and suckers.
Papaya / Banana	De-suckering (pseudo-pruning)	Maintain one main plant and one follower.

Rejuvenation Pruning of Old Orchards

Rejuvenation is done when fruit trees become unproductive due to aging or overcrowding.

Steps:

Cut back main limbs to about 1–1.5 meters height above ground.
Apply Bordeaux paste on cuts to prevent infection.
Select new healthy shoots to form new framework.
Regular irrigation, manuring, and training are done to reform the tree.

Example: Rejuvenation pruning in Guava, Ber, Mango, etc.

Precautions in Pruning

Know the fruiting habit of each crop before pruning.
Avoid pruning during active growth or flowering.
Do not prune excessively — it can cause sunburn and delay bearing.
Use sharp and sterilized tools to prevent disease transmission.
Protect large wounds with Bordeaux paste or copper oxychloride paint.
Destroy pruned materials immediately after pruning.
Always balance pruning intensity with tree vigor.
Perform pruning on a dry day to avoid fungal infection.

Advantages of Proper Pruning

Improves light and air penetration.
Encourages new, healthy growth and fruiting.
Reduces pest and disease incidence.
Produces uniform, high-quality fruits.
Facilitates orchard operations (spraying, harvesting).
Increases orchard productivity and longevity.

Disadvantages of Improper Pruning

Excessive pruning → delayed bearing and weak growth.
Improper cuts → infection or dieback.
Asymmetric pruning → imbalance and shading.
Neglect → overcrowding, poor fruit quality, pest infestation.

Difference Between Training and Pruning

Aspect	Training	Pruning
Definition	Directing growth and shape of a plant during early years.	Removal of unwanted parts to maintain shape and regulate fruiting.
Stage	Applied during early growth.	Applied throughout life.
Objective	To form a strong framework.	To maintain growth and promote fruiting.
Nature of operation	Constructive.	Regulative or corrective.
Example	Developing central leader or open center tree.	Removing dead or unproductive branches.

Principles and Methods of Pruning of Fruit Crops

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