Studies on effect of pollarding in papaya

An experiment was carried out during 2007–09 to enhance fruiting in ratoon papaya crop (one-year-old). The pollarding operation in the month of January was done at a height of 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 cm under field conditions at ICAR, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra. The sprouting percent was higher under 60 cm height followed by 75 cm. The number of sprouted buds were maximum under 90 cm pollarded plants and it was minimum under 15 cm. The survival percentage was very poor under lower height of the pollarding. Flowering and fruiting were earliest under 60 cm pollarded plants. The retention of two sprouted buds was ideal in terms of fruit yield. The retention of higher number of sprouted branches was recommended for pruning during fruit growth and development. The average fruit yield was highest (34.56 kg/plant) under 60 cm pollarding. Both higher and lower pollarding heights did not produce encouraging results due to shattering of branches at fruiting stage.