Root pruning - a growth regulation practice in fruit crops

Abstract

Root pruning is a horticultural practice from ages ago that has potential benefits on tree crop growth regulation and production. It is followed in orchards as a growth control mechanism of vigorously growing fruit trees. The growth regulation in trees is brought about by many physiological mechanisms involving water stress and assimilates partitioning to maintain the root: shoot equilibrium. Root pruning of structural roots increases the function and efficiency of functional roots in trees. It is widely practiced in transplanting of saplings which ensures better establishment. Time and selection of the distance from the trunk by root pruning may play an important role not only on vigour control but also on vegetative response and flower induction, fruit set; hence, they should be addressed as well. However, it will require additional experience, horticultural insight and better understanding of the physiological basis of the technique. It favours the large-scale adoption of root pruning in perennial fruit crops under high-density planting system in order to regulate the canopy size and regular bearing.