Postharvest pruning as a strategy to decrease shoot vigor and drying in a high-density pecan orchard

Abstract

High-density pecan orchards may improve production and mitigate shading issues with the use of pruning. The period in which it is carried out may influence shoot vigor, branch drying, fructification and fruit quality. This study aimed at evaluating vegetative growth, production and fruit quality by conducting hedge and central pruning in a high-density pecan orchard for two cycles. The cultivar Pitol 1 was subject to the following treatments, which were evaluated in two cycles: no pruning, postharvest hedge pruning, dry hedge pruning, postharvest central pruning and dry central pruning. Variables under analysis were shoot growth, dry branches, production efficiency and fruit quality. Postharvest pruning decreased vigor and, consequently, shoot growth. The number of dry branches decreased after central pruning in both pruning periods whereas hedge pruning did not mitigate the problem. Production and production efficiency just increased after pruning in the second cycle. Fruit borne by trees that were subject to postharvest pruning got heavier but only the ones borne by trees subject to central pruning got larger. Central pruning resulted in lighter and yellowish kernels. Postharvest pruning is an alternative solution to get less vigorous shoot in high-density pecan orchards and its response is similar to the one of the winter pruning regarding reduction in dry branches. Postharvest central pruning is the treatment that increases fruit quality more than the others, in terms of size and weight.