Canopy Management in Fruit Crops
Course Overview
Official detailed syllabus from the ICAR Sixth Deans’ Committee curriculum.
Course Objectives
i. To provide knowledge about manipulation of plant growth and development by employing different training and pruning procedures ii. To familiarize student with scientific principles of tree growth, physiology and understanding of tree response to various pruning cuts.
Theory Syllabus
Introduction and importance of canopy management, objectives of canopy management, importance and factors affecting canopy development. Canopy types, tree architecture and different conventional and trellis training systems. Canopy manipulation for optimum utilization of light and its interception. Dwarfing physiology and high-density planting. Physical manipulation and growth regulation: Canopy management through rootstock and scion. Effect of thinning and heading cuts on branch growth. Canopy management through plant growth regulators, training and pruning and management practices. Canopy development and management in relation to growth, flowering, fruiting and fruit quality in different deciduous and evergreen fruits.
Practical Syllabus
Study of different types of canopies, training of plants for different canopy types, Canopy development through pruning, study of different trellis training systems, development of effective canopy with support system, study on effect of different canopy types on production and quality of fruits understanding bearing behaviour and canopy management in different fruits, use of plant growth regulators, effect of pruning on light interception and fruit quality. Canopy management practices in different deciduous and evergreen fruits.
Suggested Readings
1. Bakshi J C, Uppal D K and Khajuria H N. 1988. The Pruning of Fruit Trees and Vines. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi.
2. Chadha K L and Shikhamany S D.1999.The Grape: Improvement, Production and Post-harvest Management. Malhotra Publishing House, Delhi.
3. Iyer CPA and Kurian R M. 2006. High Density Planting in Tropical Fruits: Principles and Practices. IBDC Publishers, New Delhi.
4. Pradeep Kumar, T. 2008. Management of Horticultural Crops. NIPA, New Delhi.
5. Singh G. 2010. Practical Manual on Canopy Management in Fruit Crops. Dept. of Agriculture and Co-operation. Ministry of Agriculture (GoI), New Delhi.
6. Srivastava K K. 2012. Canopy Management in Fruits. ICAR, New Delhi.