Uttar Pradesh Dismiss Permit for Pruning Mango | 11 Jul 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government took a decision to exempt state farmers from the requirement of getting permission from any government department for pruning mango trees.

• Mango producers can simply prune the trees and reduce their height to enhance their productivity.

Key Points

• This decision simplifies canopy management for old mango orchards. It will rejuvenate old mango orchards, making them as productive as new ones.
  • In older orchards, the growth of new leaves and branches which is crucial for flowering and fruiting has declined.
  • Instead, thick and tangled branches dominate, blocking sufficient light from reaching the interior.
• These conditions result in greater insect and disease infestations and complicate effective pesticide application.
  • As a result, the sprayed pesticides often fail to reach the inner parts of the trees, causing increased pesticide use and environmental pollution.
• To tackle these problems, the Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) has developed an effective pruning technique for rejuvenating mango trees.
  • This method, called pruning of tertiary branches or table-top pruning, opens the tree's canopy, reduces its height, and fosters a healthier environment.
  • This pruning technique enables trees to yield up to 100 kg per tree within just 2-3 years, while also reducing the need for excessive pesticide use.