Pruning alters fruit quality of mango cultivars (<i>Mangifera indica</i> L.) under high density planting

Abstract

The effects of four pruning treatments on fruit quality parameters were studied in three mango cultivars (‘Amrapali’, ‘Mallika’ and ‘Dashehari’) grown under high density planting (23 to 26-year-old trees) in the sub-tropical conditions of Delhi during 2006 and 2007. Pruning intensities (un-pruned, light pruning: branches removed up to 30 cm from the apex, moderate pruning: branches removed up to 60 cm, and severe pruning: branches removed up to 90 cm) significantly influenced fruit weight and volume with the highest fruit weights (194 and 186 g in 2006 and 2007 respectively) and volumes (165 and 164 ml in 2006 and 2007, respectively) in the light and severely pruned trees, respectively. However, moderately pruned ‘Amrapali’ trees had the highest pulp: stone ratio (3.6) in both years. Total soluble solids (TSS) was highest in the severely pruned trees while TSS: acid ratios were highest in the lightly pruned trees. No-pruning (control) gave high acidity and low TSS: acid ratio. Reducing sugars improved under moderate pruning intensities, while pruning intensity did not influence total fruit sugars. Light and severe pruning also severely affected reducing sugars and total carotenoid contents, implying that moderate-pruning may be appropriate for improving fruit quality of mango planted under high density and such effects were more pronounced during the second year after pruning.