ISHS Acta Horticulturae 284: I International Symposium on Walnut Production
EFFECTS OF PRUNING ON HIGH DENSITY 'HARTLEY' WALNUTS (JUGLANS REGIA L.) |
| Authors: | D.E. Ramos, W.H. Olson, R.G. Snyder |
| Abstract:
To test the feasibility of using pruning to sustain yields in high density walnut plantings, a pruning trial was conducted in a mature full-canopied 'Hartley' walnut orchard. Limbs in the upper productive portion of each tree were thinned out in the dormant season for five consecutive years to rejuvenate lower limbs by better light exposure. Photosynthetically active radiation measured under pruned trees during the growing season at one meter above the orchard floor was greater than under unpruned ones. But light flux densities in both locations were less than 3% of full sunlight. Yields from pruned trees were consistently lower than from unpruned ones, mainly because fruiting spurs were removed while not promoting fruitfulness of lower limbs. | |
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