Effect of pruning intensity on light penetration and leaf physiology in Amrapali mango trees under high‐density planting

Abstract

Amrapali mango trees established at high-density were pruned by tipping or by removal of 4, 8 or 12 inches from the apex of each branch. The light penetration and rate of photosynthesis were increased with the extent of pruning, but the specific leaf weight was not affected. The leaf chlorophyll contents were higher in unpruned and tipped trees than in pruned. The rate of photosynthesis and leaf chlorophyll contents were greater in leaves that developed on the southeast side of the tree canopy than on the other sides. The same applied to leaves further from the crotch than those nearer to it. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd