Page 464 - FRUTAS DEL TRÓPICO

464 Frutas del trópico

4. Needed equipment includes pole saw (hand or power driven) and a plan.

5. Safety is the KEY if one is to attempt this by themselves – no climbing ladders with a chain saw.

Tree training and tree size control

The wider the spacing the longer it takes to require regular pruning. The closer the plant
spacing the earlier a pruning program is required and the more frequently trees are pruned.

In general, designing a pruning program for cultivars with a vigorous, upright growth habit is

more difficult than for less vigorous, spreading growth habit cultivars. There is sufficient time

for early season cultivars pruned immediately after harvest to mature the vegetative flushing

after pruning than mid- and late season cultivars.

The pruning recommendation is cultivar dependent: prune early season cultivars imme-

diately after harvest (some mid season cultivars too) and for mid- and late season cultivars

design a program of periodic pruning, e.g., every third row canopy side every third year, top

every third year. Selective pruning to thin-out inner canopy limbs will increase light penetra-
tion, help maintain lower productive canopy, improve fruit color development, and improve

air movement to reduce fruit/leaf disease problems. Pruning timing and strategy changes for

off-season fruit production.

Postharvest handling

1. Pick carefully and place bins in shade immediately.

2. If available hydrocool or force-air cool.

3. Sort and pack and place in cold storage immediately.

4. Optimum storage temperature varies with cultivar.

o
5. In general, 12.8oC and 90-95% RH; ripening at 21-24 C is best.

Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas