Vegetative Response of Pomegranate Cv. Bhagwa to Different Winter Pruning Intensities in the Subtropical Region of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a commercially important fruit crop that requires careful canopy management to balance vegetative growth and fruit production. Canopy management through pruning is essential for regulating vegetative growth, which directly influences the plant’s productivity and overall health. The present study was conducted to assess the vegetative response of pomegranate cv. ‘Bhagwa’ to different winter pruning intensities under subtropical conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment was laid out at the Regional Horticulture and Forestry Research Station, Bhota, with five treatments: T1 (10 cm), T2 (15 cm), T3 (20 cm), T4 (25 cm) and T5 (control, no pruning). Results revealed that the severest pruning intensity (25 cm) significantly promoted vegetative parameters such as plant height, trunk diameter, trunk cross sectional area, annual shoot length and plant spread, indicating a strong compensatory growth response. In contrast, unpruned plants showed the least vegetative development. Thus, the study concludes that pruning intensity plays a critical role in managing vegetative growth in pomegranate and severe pruning can be recommended for rejuvenating canopy structure under similar agro-climatic conditions.