Effect of Branch Circumference Girdling on Fruit Yield in Neem (Azadirachta indica)

This study was conducted at Bhubaneswar, Odisha to evaluate the effect of girdling on Azadirachta indica (Neem) fruit yield and quality. A five-year-old neem tree was subjected to 25, 50, 75 and 100%, girdlingof branch circumference, with ungirdled branches as a control. Observations included fruit morphology and the time taken to reach maturity fruit drop percentage. Among the treatments, 50% girdling yielded the best results, with maximum fruit diameter (11.66 mm), length(16.37 mm), weight (1.34g/fruit), and seed dry weight(0.35 g/fruit). It also reduced fruit drop and shortened the maturity period. In contrast, complete girdling causes excessive fruit drop and reduced seed weight. Wound healing was slower in thicker branches, requiring more than 60 days. The study concluded that 50% girdling in neem trees would be useful for increasing the fruit parameters and yield.