Influence of Intensity of Pruning on Yield and Physico-Chemical Properties of Khasi Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)

Khasi Mandarin orange is well suited in Arunachal Pradesh as well entire north eastern states of India. Besides the ample rainfall and good shun shine received in Arunachal Pradesh; its productivity is too low as compared national average. The negligence of orchards without proper management practices is the major cause of low productivity. In this regard canopy management play vital role for good yield. The requirement of pruning varies with species therefore, the present experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of pruning intensity on the yield and quality of Khasi mandarin fruit.

The highest No. of fruits (245), and highest yield (12.24 T/ha) with T4-( Removal of dried & diseased branches, thin shoots, water sprouts and selected laterals) while, highest average fruit weight (130 g), maximum fruit diameter (6.2 cm), maximum fruit length (5.6 cm) were noticed with T5-(T4+ Removal of selected leaders and formation of open centre canopy) and it was also observed lowest No of fruits, size and yield were recorded in control. Therefore, It is concluded from the result that T4 (Removal of dried & diseased branches, thin shoots, water sprouts and selected laterals) is best practice of higher yield but T5 (T4+ Removal of selected leaders and formation of open centre canopy) is best practice for little lower yield than T4 but for good market quality fruits.