Effect of pruning and paclobutrazol application on yield and quality of mango (Mangifera indica var. Neelum)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2008-2009 at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyarkulam with a view to rejuvenate the senile mango orchard by subtending different pruning intensities such as 'severe pruning' and 'light pruning' with soil application of paclobutrazol to induce good yield and fruit quality in forty years old unproductive orchard. Results revealed that the fruit yield and its components namely fruit size and number of fruits harvested per tree were improved significantly by the application of paclobutrazol in both types of pruning. The treatments involving 'severe pruning' with addition of paclobutrazol resulted in greater fruit size, whereas the treatment involving 'light pruning' with addition of paclobutrazol accounted for higher number of fruits harvested per tree. The fruit quality assessed in terms of total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars, nonreducing sugars, ascorbic acid and carotenoid content were also enhanced substantially when treated with paclobutrazol in both 'severe' and 'light' pruning treatments during main and off season. The physiological loss in weight was also found to be lowest in treatments involving 'severe pruning' with addition of paclobutrazol.