Abstract:
The research was conducted to find out suitable tree species when subjected to pruning for
better output in the homestead agroforestry systems. Five selected tree species viz. l.Melia
azedarach (Ghora neem) 2. Swietenia macrophylla (Mahogany), 3. Mangifera indica (Mango)
4. Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) 5. Psidium guajava (Guava) and two management
practices involving one pruning management and the other unpruning condition were used in
the experiment. Pruning started at three years age of saplings. Trees were pruned four times a
year at three month intervals. All tree species showed a significant positive increase in tree
height due to pruning of their foliage and branches. Under pruning condition, significantly
higher increments in height was observed in Melia azedarach (197.83 cm) followed by Swietenia
macrophylla (57.5 cm), Psidium guajava (54.33 cm), Mangifera indica (53.33 cm) and
Artocarpus heterophyllus (48.67 cm). A11 tree species when pruned showed a significant positive
increase in circumference compared to those unpruned at 60 cm and 90 cm height from the
ground level.
