Vol. 9, Special Issue 10, Part W (2025)

The study investigated the effect of pruning levels and months on growth and yield performance of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) under coastal Karnataka conditions using a Factorial Randomized Block Design comprising two factors: pruning levels and pruning months. The experiment included four pruning levels-0 cm (P₀), 30 cm (P₁), 45 cm (P₂), and 60 cm (P₃) from the shoot tip and two pruning months-July 4^th week (M₁) and August 4^th week (M₂). Results showed that 30 cm pruning (P₁) accelerated sprouting (18.80 days), increased the number of new shoots (56.65/m²), promoted early flowering (135.00 days) and fruit yield per tree (26.30 kg/tree). Whereas pruning in the 4^th week of August (M₂) enhanced sprouting (24.70 days), flowering (140.00 days) and yield (21.60 kg/tree) compared to July pruning. Interaction effects showed that P₁M₂ (30 cm pruning in the 4^th week of August) was most effective for early flowering (124.00 days), while P₂M₂ (45 cm pruning in the 4^th week of August) gave the highest overall yield (27.10 kg/tree). Overall light to moderate pruning (30-45 cm) in late August optimizes growth and productivity of rambutan in coastal Karnataka.