Effect of pruning on tree height and trunk circumference in five agroforestry tree species

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.