Summer pruning in fruit trees

Pruning has been practiced for ages in controlling tree size because it has much less stimulating effect on shoot re-growth. The pruning is done to restrict excessive vegetative growth and to maintain a balance between leaf/fruit ratio, fruit size, fruit colour and other quality attributes. Excessive tree vigour can reduce flower bud formation, fruit set and result in reduced fruit quality. Summer pruning by removing the vigorous growing shoots increase the light intensity in cropping zone and colour intensity. Late summer pruning also reduce the growth due to reduction in photosynthetic capacity and ultimately carbohydrate reserve by reducing the leaf area index and the spread of the canopy.   Key words: Pruning, fruit trees, growth, yield.