Training and pruning

• Can be done by Modified leader system

a) Training in first year:

• Headed back to the height of 90-100 cm at the time of planting in the field
• All the branches on the plants are also cut back to two buds
• After 3-4 weeks, plant develops many branches
• 4-5 laterals which are well-oriented around the trunk, are selected as main scaffold branches and all other branches are removed
• The lowest branch should not be below 40-50 cm

b) Training in second year:

• Many new branches develop on the selected primary branches.
• The leader of the plant also grows in the height and some side branches are developed on it
• Select 3-4 more well placed branches on the central branch and remove all others
• Very little pruning is done in second year
• The branches which are crowding in the center or interfering with each other are removed
• The dominance of the central leader is maintained and no lateral is allowed to outgrow the other

c) Training in third year:

• The leader in the third year should be suppressed by cutting it back to a suitable lateral
• The leader is restricted in the vertical growth

Harvesting and storage

• Fruiting: Fruiting after 3 yrs of age to 20 yrs
• Yield: 7-800 fruit per tree (100-150 kg)
• Precooling- 40 to 45 hrs
• Storability: less than five days in ambient condition