Short Gun Approaches for Alternate Bearing Control in Olive- A Review

Abstract
| Alternate bearing (AB), is mostly common in few tree crops which is defined as low or no fruit yield during one year and high yield during the succeeding year. It is mostly occurred due to some climatic conditions, varietal genetic variability and some endogenous hormonal balance. Alternate bearing results into poor flowering, low pollination, low fruit set and fruit drops. All these factors are the climatic factors dependent which can be controlled by proper irrigation scheduling, proper pruning and proper dose and source of fertilizer application at a proper growth stage. As a result, OFF season crop in once year and followed by ON year crop. Alternate bearing cannot be completely controlled but it can be minimized by adopting different approaches like mechanical pruning, pruning through use of growth inhibitors, use of bio stimulants, and proper use of mineral nutrients at proper nutrient demanding growth stage and use of different vitamins and amino acids. The current review was prepared by highlighting the use of these approaches for alternate bearing control in olive.