What is pruning and why is it done?
Pruning involves selectively cutting branches for several key reasons:
- To improve light and spray penetration.
- For effective canopy management.
- To promote healthier root growth.
- To enhance fruit quality and regulate production.
- To remove diseased, dried, or dead branches.
How to do pruning in Sweet Orange plant?
- Remove overcrowded and crisscrossing branches to increase light penetration to the inner canopy.
- Regularly eliminate dry, weak, crossing twigs, water suckers, and diseased branches.
Methods of Pruning in Sweet Orange:
Few recommended methods of pruning in Sweet Orange are:
| Skirting | |
| Skirting refers to the removal of branches that grow close to the ground.Branches below 1.5 to 2 feet should be removed.Skirted trees are easier to harvest, mulch, and protect from insects and pests that might climb up through low-hanging branches. |  |
| Canopy Structure Improvement | |
| This method involves removing dead, diseased, or broken branches, as well as crossover branches and water shoots growing from the center of the tree. | |
| Window Pruning | |
| Window pruning is used to remove weak bearing branches.These branches are typically long, thin, unproductive, and have yellow leaves. They often grow from the underside of supporting branches.Such branches should be thinned out by cutting them back by one-third of their length. |
TIME OF PRUNING –
- Pruning should be carried after the harvest season is over.
PRECAUTIONS:
| S. no. | Precautions |
| 1 | Pruning should not be practiced during summer months. |
| 2 | Heavy pruning is not recommended for sweet orange trees. |
| 3 | Over-pruning can attract pests such as citrus psylla and may lead to citrus greening in severe cases. |
DO’s & DON’Ts
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Disinfect tools regularly with ethanol or fungicides after each intercultural operation. | Avoid placing tools on the soil during operations. |
| Use sharp secateurs and pruning saws for cutting branches. | Do not use blunt tools. |
| Apply Bordeaux paste on cut surfaces or spray copper oxychloride (2gms/liter) immediately after pruning to prevent fungal infections. | Do not leave pruned wounds exposed or delay fungicide application until the next day. |
| Collect and properly dispose of all plant debris after pruning. | Do not leave plant debris in the orchard after pruning. |
SOURCE : https://swfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/hlb/database/pdf/00002843.pdf#:~:text=Citrus%20growers%20in%20the%20tropics%20have%20good%20reasons,north%20and%20south%20and%20at%20altitudes%20from%20%3C50
