Custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) is known as Sithaphal or Sugar apple or sweet sop, belongs to the family annonanceae. Addressing challenges in custard apple cultivation it is necessary to standardize of pruning techniques with effect of time and pruning intensity. A study was undertaken to investigate on “Influence of time and pruning intensity on growth and yield attributes in custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) cv. Balanagar” during 2022-23. The result revealed number of tertiary branches (158.33), shoots per branch (10.85), fruits per plant (35.22), fruit yield per plant (7.15 kg), yield per plot (14.31 kg) and yield per hectare (7.95 t) were found highest in T3(January 15th pruning). The maximum number of tertiary branches (215.21), shoots per branch (12.62) was recorded in I1 (20cm pruning intensity) and maximum plant height (2.56 m), East-West (2.72 m), North- South spread (2.67 m), number of fruits per plant (41.18), fruit yield per plant (8.55 kg), fruit yield per plot (17.11 kg) and fruit yield per hectare (4.48 t) was noticed in I2 (30 cm pruning intensity). Number of tertiary branches (248.33), shoots per branch (14.00) were highest in T3I1 (January month pruning with 20 cm intensity). Number of fruits per plant (43.33), fruit yield per plant (9.39 kg), yield per plot (18.78 kg) and yield per hectare (10.43 t) were observed highest in T3I2 (January month pruning with 30 cm intensity).

Custard apple, Balanagar, Pruning time and intensity, Growth, Yield

Finally, it is summarized that pruning in January month with an intensity of 30 cm pruning from tip gave good vegetative growth and maximum yield contributing parameters, and also well suited for commercial fruit production.

Sonika A.S., Anil I. Sabarad, Suhasini Jalawadi, Kirankumar Gorabal and Prashantha A. (2023). Influence of Time and Pruning Intensity on Growth and Yield Attributes in Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.) cv. Balanagar. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 1512): 357-360.