Method of training and pruning

 training and pruning

Training :

When the plant is stalked or tied or supported over a trellis or pergola in certain fashion or some of its parts are removed or trimmed with a view to shape the plant to achieve a particular from is known as training.

• It controls the shape of plant

Types of training system –

a) Central Leader/Pyramid system- 

• The main trunk is allowed to grow without interruption

• The first branch is allowed to grow at 45 to 50 cm height from ground level . The other branches are allowed to grow on main stem at a distance of 15 to 20 cm.

• It is most suitable for Pear

• Main drawback in this system is difficulty in spraying, pruning and harvesting

b) Open central/Open head system-

• The main trunk is beheaded when plant attains a height of 40 to 50 cm.  Allow to the development 3-5 primary lateral branches  from the  trunk .

•  the branches display  uniform distribution of fruit . It is not suitable for high altitude where frost is common.

• It is mostly practiced in American Plum and Peach.

(c) Modified Leader system-

• It is intermediate form of central leader and open central and draws the benefits of both systems.

• Mostly used in Apple

• It is trained to develop a central leader by allowing the main stem to grow for the first 4-5 years after which it is pruned back to a height of 75 – 120 cm from ground level.

Pruning :

Removal of any excess or undesirable /unproductive branch, shoot or any other part of plant so as to allow the remaining part to grow normally is called pruning.

• It help in improving quality of fruit.

Types of pruning:

(a) Heading back-

• The terminal portion of twigs canes or shoots is removed but the basal portion is not

• It stimulates the development.

(b) Thinning out-

• When the shoots or branches which are considered undesirable are removed entirely from the base or point of            attachment is called thinning out.

(c) Ringing/Girdling-

•  In this process a circular ring of bark measuring about 3 cm in length is removed.

(d) Notching-

•  Making a notch above a bid by removing a wedge shaped piece of bark is termed as notching.

(e) Dry Pruning-Pruning of dead branches