Performance of tree canopy architecture of bael (Aegle marmelos L. Correa) on leaf traits under rainfed condition of Central India

The field study was carried out at Central Research Farm of the ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, during 2023-24 and 2024-25 in a 15-year-old Bael orchard. The study was carried out in factorial randomized block design with two varieties (V1: CISHB-2 and V2: NB-9) and four canopy architectures (C1: Central leader system, C2: Modified leader system, C3: Open centre system and C4: Untrained system). The results indicated that cultivar CISHB-2 recorded larger leaf area (95.63 cm2) and fresh leaf weight (3.46 g), whereas NB-9 was superior in terms of leaf chlorophyll content (53.57 SPAD). The Open Center System performed better with higher fresh leaf weight (3.67 g), leaf moisture content (72.33%), leaf area (103.76 cm2), and leaf chlorophyll content (58.66 SPAD unit) compared to Untrained trees. Overall, results indicated that trees with the Open Centre System canopy architecture improved leaf weight, moisture, area, and chlorophyll content.