Punjab Agricultural University Regional Research Station, Ballowal, Saunkhri-144 521, Punjab, India, Email: khokhar82@pau.edu
A study was conducted to rejuvenate old orchard of ber under rainfed conditions. Though the trees started fruiting in the same year after rejuvenation but the yield was negligible, although it increased remarkably during third year. The vegetative growth traits i.e. plant height, spread and canopy volume was significantly affected by severity of pruning. Plant height after three years of pruning was recorded maximum in Sanaur-2 than ZG 2 and Umran. Tree spread and canopy development of rejuvenated trees in terms of tree volume showed increase over the year of rejuvenation as age of tree increased irrespective of cultivar. The variety Sanaur-2 recorded 3.50 times higher yield compared to yield level just before the process of rejuvenation. The morphological attributes of fruits obtained from rejuvenated trees were significantly higher than non-rejuvenated trees of each cultivar. The chemical attributes, i.e. TSS and total sugars were found slightly higher in fruits from non-rejuvenated trees. Hence, rejuvenation technology helped in restoring the productivity of old, unproductive orchard in shortest possible time in lower Shiwaliks of Punjab.
Ber, cultivars, rejuvenate, Sanaur-2, total sugars
