Training Practices in Fruit Crops

Definition

• Training refers to physical techniques that control the shape, size, and direction of plant growth.
• It involves orientation of the plant in space through methods like tying, fastening, staking, etc.
• In fruit crops, training is a horticultural practice used to shape plant structure for improved sunlight penetration, air circulation, and overall plant health, leading to better fruit yield and quality.
• Often used with pruning, and specific to different types of fruit crops.

Objectives of Training

• To improve appearance and usefulness of the plant/tree by giving different shapes and ensuring balanced distribution.
• To ease cultural practices such as intercultivation, plant protection, and harvesting.
• To improve performance, e.g., branches oriented at 45° or horizontally tend to fruit better.

Methods of Training

• Training in Herbaceous Annuals and Biennials

These plants are generally grown without altering growth, but for ornamentals or creeping types, some training includes:

1. Staking or supporting vine-like plants.
2. Training on pergolas or trellises for vines or indeterminate tomatoes.
3. Nipping of apices to encourage lateral growth in potted plants like aster, marigold, chrysanthemum.
4. De-shooting or removal of lateral buds to promote single-stem growth in plants like chrysanthemum and dahlia.
5. Staking and tying shoots in potted chrysanthemum with bamboo sticks.

• Training in Woody Perennials

Woody perennials are long-lasting and widely spaced, requiring strong frameworks for production and ornamental shapes. Training methods include:

(i) Open Centre System (Vase Shaped)

• The main stem grows to a certain height, then the leader is cut to encourage laterals near ground level.
• Results in vase-shaped plant.
• Common in peach, apricot, ber.

(ii) Central Leader System (Closed Centre)

• The central axis grows freely, with branches forming all around.
• Also called closed centre system.
• Common in apple, pear, mango, sapota.

(iii) Modified Leader System

• A mix of open and central leader systems.
• Central axis grows freely for 4–5 years, then is headed back to allow lateral branches.
• Common in apple, pear, cherry, plum, guava.

(iv) Cordon System

• A type of espalier training done on wires for plants that cannot support themselves.
• Can be single or double cordon.
• Common in grape, passion fruit.

(v) Training on Pergola

• Used for supporting perennial vines.
• A network of criss-cross wires on RCC/angle iron poles.
• Common in grape, passion fruit, small gourd, pointed gourd, and even peach.

(vi) Training in Different Shapes

• Ornamental bushes are trained into vase, cone, cylindrical, rectangular shapes.
• Now used for mechanization and plantation geometry in guava, mango, sapota, citrus.
• Shapes include hedgerow system, box, unclipped natural forms.

Details of Training

(i) Height of the Head; Distance from ground to first scaffold branching.

Based on height:

• Low Head (0.7 – 0.9 m): Common in windy areas. Easy to maintain.
• Medium Head (0.9 – 1.2 m): Most commonly used. Balances wind resistance and management ease.
• High Head (> 1.2 m): Used in tropical, wind-free regions. Allows easy operation under canopy.

(ii) Number of Scaffold Branches

• Refers to the number of main branches on the tree’s primary axis.
• Varies from 2 to 15, but extremes are avoided.
• 5 to 8 scaffolds are ideal for:
  • Mechanical strength
  • Openness for operations

(iii) Distribution of Scaffolds

• Scaffolds should be distributed in all directions.
• Maintain spacing of 45–60 cm between scaffolds.
• Use wide angles of emergence for strong crotches.