Pruning intensity modifies canopy microclimate, and influences sex ratio, malformation incidence and development of fruited panicles in ‘Amrapali’ mango (Mangifera indica L.)

To observe effect of pruning intensity on microclimate modification, sex ratio, malformation incidence and number of fruited panicles in ‘Amrapali’ mango trees under high-density planting were subjected to tipping, light, moderate and heavy pruning after fruit harvesting with un-pruned trees as control. Observations on canopy temperature and relative humidity were recorded during August (just after pruning) and March (during flowering) respectively. Similarly, sex ratio and malformation incidence were recorded during peak flowering season and number of fruited panicles during 1st week of May every year. Our observations revealed that relative humidity was highest (61.4%) in un-pruned trees and lowest in severely pruned trees (53.4%) but a reverse trend was observed for temperature. Sex ratio was highest (35.9) in flowers that appeared in panicles of un-pruned trees and lowest (26.6) in flowers of severely pruned trees. Flowers that appeared in panicles at treetop, had comparatively lower sex ratio (27.7) than those, which appeared at lower canopy heights. Malformation incidence was highest (44.2%) in panicles that appeared in un-pruned trees and lowest (36.2%) in panicles that appeared in severely pruned trees. Similarly, panicles that appeared at the treetop had lower malformation incidence (37.2%) than those, which appeared at lower canopy heights. Further, highest fruited panicles appeared in moderately pruned trees (80.3) and lowest in un-pruned trees (24.6). Fruited panicles appeared in their maximum at canopy top (87.4), but their number was drastically reduced at lower canopy heights. All the measured parameters were significantly influenced by the interaction, pruning intensity × canopy height. In all, moderate pruning was the best for all practical purposes.