Summer Pruning Strategies for Balancing Growth and Yield in High-Density Apple Orchards

This study evaluated the influence of summer pruning time and bud-retention intensity on vegetative growth, spur development, flowering behaviour and yield performance of apple ( Malus × domestica Borkh.) cv. Red Velox under high-density planting during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons at Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Himachal Pradesh. Five pruning timings (15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after fruit set; T ₁ –T ₅ ) were combined with three bud-retention intensities (2, 4 and 6 buds; B ₁ –B ₃ ). Summer pruning significantly affected all measured parameters, with the interaction between timing and intensity being particularly important. Pruning at 45 days after fruit set with 2-bud retention (T ₃ × B ₁ ) reduced vegetative vigour while improving spur density, return bloom, yield, productivity and yield efficiency relative to other treatment combinations and the unpruned control. The study suggests that integration of appropriate pruning timing with lower bud-retention intensity can help balance vegetative and reproductive growth in high-density orchards under north-western Himalayan conditions.