Progressive Horticulture
Year : 2011, Volume : 43, Issue : 1
First page : ( 11) Last page : ( 17)
Print ISSN : 0970-3020. Online ISSN : 2249-5258.

Technology for rejuvenation of old and senile orchard of guava

Singh Gorakh

Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi

Received:  2  January,  2010; Accepted:  5  April,  2010.

Abstract

One of the reasons for the low productivity is a large number of old guava orchards in the age group of 15–30 years and above, have either gone unproductive or showing marked decline in productivity. This is attributed to overcrowded and intermingling of large branches and meager foliage, allowing poor light availability to growing shoots within the canopy. This renders them uneconomical. Exhausted trees can be rejuvenated by topping and hedging for the production of new shoots, which can bear good crop in the following years. The rejuvenation technology involved in the heading back of exhausted trees (showing marked decline in annual production) to the extent of 1.0 to 1.5 meter height above the ground level during May-June or December-February to facilitate production of new shoots from below the cut-point and allow the development of fresh canopy of healthy shoots. The newly emerging shoots are allowed to grow up to a length of about 40 to 50 cms, which could be attained in 4 to 5 months of rejuvenation pruning. These shoots are further pruned out 50 per cent of the total length for emergence of multiple shoots below the pruning point. This is mainly done to modify the tree structure and maintain canopy size. The multiple shoots developed as a result of pruning are found to have flowering and fruiting potential in the following season. This procedure of sequential and periodic pruning is continued every year for proper shaping of tree canopy and to ensure enhanced production of quality fruits. The technology developed and standardized for rejuvenation not only helped in enhancing the production and income from their existing orchards but also resurrected the conviction for taking up guava cultivation for livelihood security. The technology has led to about 3–4 times increase in yield and income.

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Keywords

Canopy management, Guava, Pruning, Rejuvenation technology, Training.

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