Root pruning — trial report

June 2013 | AgFirst and NSW DPI | Future Orchards® trial report

This Future Orchards® trial report examines root pruning as a technique for moderating excessive vegetative growth in apple orchards.

Root pruning deliberately reduces part of the active root system beside the tree row. The management objective is to reduce shoot vigour and improve the balance between canopy growth and cropping, particularly where strong vegetative growth is affecting light distribution, fruit colour or fruit-bud development.

The report should be read as a field-trial assessment rather than a universal prescription. Response can vary with tree vigour, rootstock, soil, crop load, irrigation and the timing and distance of the root-pruning cut.

Growers considering the technique need to monitor tree response carefully because excessive restriction can also reduce fruit size or tree performance under water or nutrient stress.