The effect of different pruning applications on tree development and productivity in young walnut trees

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different pruning on tree growth and yield on seedlings of Chandler walnut cultivar grafted on Juglans regia L. rootstock in 2017. In the study, 4 different pruning applications were applied to the seedlings, minimum pruning, traditional pruning, bud selection/pruning and unpruned. In order to determine the effects of pruning practices, evaluations were made on the parameters of growth, development, yield and fruit quality in trees. According to the data obtained, it has been observed that the trees of the Chandler walnut variety, which are not pruned, in the gardens where the maintenance conditions are good, are better in terms of growth and yield than the other applications. In the evaluations made in terms of fruit quality, it was determined that there were no significant differences between the applications, and in some parameters, trees without pruning gave better results than other applications. When the 3-years data is evaluated, it has been thought that Chandler variety trees can be grown without pruning, especially in orchards where optimum conditions are provided in terms of irrigation and fertilization, and this will provide time, cost advantage and profitability to the producer, especially in the first years.