EFFECT OF VARIED PRUNING INTENSITIES ON THE GROWTH, YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF STARKING DELICIOUS APPLE UNDER MID HILL CONDITIONS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, India

An experiment on  the effect of varied pruning intensities on apple cultivar Starking Delicious was conducted in four different locations viz Sarsari, Seobag, Nagni and Boshadhar of Kullu district  during 2008-09 and 2009-10 on twenty year old Starking Delicious apple, raised on seedling rootstock  spaced at 6 x 6 m apart.  There were five pruning intensities which were replicated in four different locations. The plant growth increased with the increase in severity of pruning, conversely fruit yield decreased with the increased in pruning severity. Maximum shoot extension growth (53.20 and 55.50 cm) was found under heavily pruned trees during both the years. The highest fruit set (28.20 and 21.20 %) and yield (14.81 and 11.56 t/ha) was recorded under treatment (T2) ¼ heading back and thinning out which was closely followed by ½ heading back and thinning out (T3) through out the study period. Fruit weight, diameter and total soluble solids also increased with the increase in pruning intensities. Different pruning intensities exerted the significant effect on the fruit weight and diameter however, non significant difference was observed on fruit firmness, acidity and reducing sugars of apple.