Alternate Bearing in Fruit Crops: Causes and Control Measures

Alternate bearing (AB) is a phenomenon, common in fruit crops, is a concerned plant or branch or orchard does not bear a regular crop year-after-year rather heavy yields are followed by extremely light yield and vice versa. Based on the alternate bearing index, it is divided in four groups viz., no alternation, less alternate, high alternate, severe alternate. There are mainly two factors are responsible for alternate bearing i.e., exogenous and endogenous factors. Alternate bearing can be managed by cultural practices, selection of rootstocks, and selection of cultivars, chemical application and pruning at right time. Scrutiny of all of the factors are presented in this review to achieve consistent success in induction of flowering in perennial fruit crops. The information may pave way for better regulation of flowering shoots to enhanced fruit productivity in various fruit crops.