Comparison of different pruning methods in training of young walnut trees

This research was carried out in Fernor walnut orchard grafted on Juglans regia L. seedling rootstock. The aim of the study is to determine the effects of minimally pruning and no pruning on young trees of Fernor cultivar, on tree growth, yield, water use efficiency and fruit quality. According to the data of 2022, a statistically significant difference was found between minimally pruning and no pruning in terms of shoot length, crown length, tree height, yield and kernel weight. The two-year cumulative yield value was found to be 6036.68 g in minimally pruning and 9865.87 g in no pruning. Midday trunk water potential average values (MPa) of no pruning and minimally pruning were found to be 7.5 and 7.65, respectively. Considering that there is a significant difference in yield between no pruning and minimally pruning, it has been observed that water use efficiency is higher in no pruning. If water deficiency and insufficient fertilization are combined with no pruning, there can be significant losses in tree growth, yield and fruit quality. In this context no pruning should be considered together with other factors that will affect tree growth, yield and fruit quality.