AppleArea Under Cultivation

Apple are primarily cultivated in Jammu & Kashmir; Himachal Pradesh; hills of Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. It is also cultivated to a small extent in Arunachal Pradesh; Nagaland; Punjab and Sikkim.

Botanical Name : Malus pumila

Family :

Plant Discription : It is a round crowned tree usually upto 15 m in height.The trees are vigorous and spreading. The

leaves are mostly clustered on short shoots or spurs. The white flowers are also borne on spurs.

Nutritional Levels :

Rosaceae

Centre of Origin : Eastern Europe and Western Asia

Pollination System : Cross Pollinated

Chromosome No. : 2n=34

Moisture Protein Fat Mineral matter Fibre Carbohydrate Calories(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (K Cal)

84.6 0.2 0.5 0.3 1 13.4 59

Minerals

Phosphorus Potassium Calcium Magnesium Iron Sodium Copper (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

14 75 10 7 0.66 28 0.1

Manganese Zinc Sulphur Chlorine Molybdium Cromium(mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

0.14 0.06 7 1 0 0.008

Vitamins

Carotene Thiamine Riboflavin Niacin Vitamin C Choline Folic acid-Free(mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

0 0 0 0 1 321 0

Folic acid- Total(mg/100g)

0

Moisture Protein Fat Mineral matter Fibre Carbohydrate Calories(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (K Cal)

84.6 0.2 0.5 0.3 1 13.4 59

Phosphorus Potassium Calcium Magnesium Iron Sodium Copper (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

14 75 10 7 0.66 28 0.1

Manganese Zinc Sulphur Chlorine Molybdium Cromium(mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

0.14 0.06 7 1 0 0.008

Carotene Thiamine Riboflavin Niacin Vitamin C Choline Folic acid-Free(mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g) (mg/100g)

0 0 0 0 1 321 0

Folic acid- Total(mg/100g)

0

Minerals

Vitamins

AppleDiseases

Apple Scab (Venturia inaequalis) :Apple scab affects both leaves and fruits. Scattered, circular brown or

olive-green spots appear on the undersurface of leaves borne on fruit-

spurs. Initially the lesions cover a large portion of the leaf leading to

premature yellowing of leaves, defoliation and fruit drop. Early in the

season, these spots often develop around blossom end (calyx end) of the

fruit and later they are found anywhere on the fruit surface. Cracks often

develop in the scabbed areas, which allow the entry of other pathogens,

causing rot of fruit either in the field, or in storage.

Control : The spray schedule recommended for effective control of scab disease is as follows -

Stage

Silver tip-Green tip

Pink bud

Petal fall

Pea stage

Fruit development

15-20 days before harvest

Before leaf fall

Fungicide/100 litres of water.

Mancozeb (400 g)/Captan (300 g).

Contaf (30 ml)/ Baycor (50 g).

Bavistin (50 g)/Topsin M (50 g).

Mancozeb (300 g)/Captan (300 g).

Bavistin + Mancozeb (25+250 g).

Mancozeb (300 g).

Urea (5 kg).

(ICAR : 50 years of crop science research in India, 1996).

Fire Blight (Erwinia amylovora) :This disease is caused by bacteria. The symptoms are seen as

distinct fire-like appearance on infected plant parts. New shoots are

highly susceptible to infection. The shoot tips wilt and droop without

browning. Secretion of golden coloured bacterial ooze is seen on the

stem. In fruits, Necrotic spots and oozing lesions are observed on the

outer surface of the fruit surface.

Control : The affected trees and host plants should be collected and

burnt immediately on observing the incidence of fire blight. Sprays of

streptomycin can control the infection in spring blossom of apple.

Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) : Powdery mildew is a serious disease affecting buds, new

shoots and leaves. The disease appears in the dry climatic

conditions. The nursery plants are more prone to this disease.

The diseases is characterized by the presence of white

powdery (ash like) coating in patches on both sides of the

leaves, and young shoots. The affected leaves turn pale and

curl up. Affected shoots remain weak and immature. In case of

severe infection, leaf fall and pre-mature fruit drop may occur.

The young infected fruit show signs of russeting.

Control : The disease incidence can be reduced by pruning and destroying the affected plant parts. In

the nurseries, spraying the young seedlings with Bayleton (500 ppm) at an interval of 7 days controls

the disease. In the field, fungicidal sprays should be taken after pruning of the affected plant parts.

Spraying the crop with Sulphur (0.3%) or Carbendazim (0.05%) or Karathane (0.05%) effectively

controls the disease.

AppleDisorders

Bitter Pit :This is a physiological disorder, which reduces the fresh market quality of fruit. Young trees that are

just coming into bearing are the most susceptible. Immature

fruit are more susceptible to bitter pit than fruits harvested at

the proper maturity stage.

Small brown lesions of 2-10 mm in diameter (depending on

the cultivar) develop in the flesh of the fruit. The tissue below

the skin becomes dark and corky. At harvest or after a period

in storage the skin develops depressed spots on the surface.

These spots appear as water soaked spots on the skin near

the calyx. The spots generally turn darker, become more sunken than the surrounding skin and get

fully developed after one or two months in storage.

Control : Calcium sprays prior to harvest and calcium dips before storage control the incidence of

bitter pit. The plants should be sprayed 45 days prior to harvest followed by a repeat spray after 15

days. The post-harvest dip for 1-2 minutes should be given before storage.

Brown Heart :This physiological disorder is associated with large and overmature fruits. It can also occur when

the CO concentration in storage increases above 1%. The symptoms appear as brown 2

discoloration in the flesh, usually originating in or near the core. Brown areas have well defined

margins and may include dry cavities developed due to desiccation. Symptoms range from a small

spot of brown flesh to entire browning of flesh with a margin of healthy white flesh remaining just

below the skin. Symptoms develop early in storage and may increase in severity with extended

storage time.

Control : Harvesting of overmature fruits should be avoided. In case of storage in controlled

atmosphere (CA) the fruits should be harvested at optimum maturity The CO concentrations in CA 2

should be below 1% to reduce the development of brown heart incidence.

Cork Spot :The initial symptoms of this physiological disorder appear as small blushed area on the skin of the fruit

above the affected brown spot The affected tissue is usually much harder than the healthy tissue.

Boron and calcium deficiencies are occasionally found responsible for development of cork spot.

Control : Proper nutrient management especially boron and calcium helps in preventing this disorder.

Scald :This physiological disorder is a serious concern for apple growers. Susceptibility to this storage

disorder varies with the variety of apple, environment and cultural practices. Incidence and severity

of scald is favoured by hot, dry weather before harvest, immature

fruit at harvest, high nitrogen and low calcium concentrations in

the fruit. Inadequate ventilation in storage rooms or in packaging

boxes also promotes this disorder.

Irregular brown patches of dead skin develop within 3 to 7 days

due to warming of the fruit after removal from the cold storage.

The warm temperatures do not cause the scald but allow

symptoms to develop from previous injury, which occurred during

cold storage. Symptoms may be visible in cold storage when

injury is severe.

Control : Harvesting at proper maturity and ventilation in cold storage help to reduce the scald

incidence.

The most common method used to control scald is application of an antioxidant immediately after

harvest. Diphenylamine (DPA) is commonly used. Ethoxyquin is also effective for some varieties,

but can cause damage to other apple varieties. Antioxidants should be applied within one week of

harvest for maximum control.

Water Core : This physiological disorder is promoted by high leaf to fruit ratio, high levels of nitrogen and boron in the

fruits, low levels of fruit calcium, excessive thinning, and exposure of fruits to high temperatures. Large

size fruits are mostly susceptible to this type of disorder.

Disorder at pre-harvest stage results in the development

of water soaked regions in the flesh. These regions are

hard, glassy in appearance and only visible externally

when infection is very severe. Severely affected fruits may

smell and have a fermented taste. Water soaked areas are

found near the core or on the entire apple. If symptoms are

mild to moderate, they may disappear completely in

storage.

Control : The most effective way to reduce the incidence is to avoid delayed harvests. As fruits

approach maturity stage, samples of fruit should be examined for water core development. Fruit

should be harvested before water core develops extensively. Fruits lots with moderate to severe water

core symptoms should not be placed in controlled atmosphere (CA) storage but should be marketed

quickly.

Sun Burn :This physiological disorder occurs due to intense heat of the sun. Fruit

on the southwest side of the tree are generally affected. Water stress

can also increase the incidence of sunburn.

Initial symptoms are white, tan or yellow patches on the fruits exposed

to the sun. With severe skin damage, injured areas of the fruit can turn

dark brown before harvest. These areas may become spongy and

sunken. Fruit exposed to the sun after harvest can develop severe

sunburn.

Control : The best method of control is to avoid sudden exposure of fruit to intense heat and solar

radiation. Proper tree training and pruning are critical. Summer pruning must be carefully done to

avoid excessive sunburn. Pruned orchards should be regularly irrigated to reduce heat stress.

Careful sorting to remove affected fruit upon packing is the only solution once the injury has

occurred.

Russeting :Russeting of apples in a humid environment is a major concern of the fruit growers. Russeting occurs

shortly after petal fall. The apple cultivars, which have thin cuticle, are more susceptible to russeting. It

is commonly noticed on exposed fruits than on fruits remaining in shade. Frost during the blossom or at

the early fruit formation stage may also cause russeting. Russeting leads to rupture of the fruit skin

and development of cracks.

Control : Selection of less susceptible clones and adequate irrigation, manuring and effective pest

management can reduce russeting.

Fruit Drop :Most of the commercial varieties of apple exhibit 3 cycles of fruit drop viz., early drop, June drop and

pre-harvest drop. The early drop is considered natural and is due to lack of pollination and fruit

competition. Moisture stress and environmental conditions cause the June drop. These two drops

neither cause substantial economical losses nor are controlled effectively by artificial means. The pre-

harvest drop causes serious economic loss as the full grown marketable fruits abscise before the

harvest due to the reduction in the levels of auxins.

Control : The pre-harvest drop can be controlled by application with NAA (15 ppm) sprayed 20 days

before the expected fruit drop or 20-25 days before the harvest.

AppleHarvesting

Normally the apples are ready for harvest from September-October except in the Nilgiris where the

season is from April to July. The fruits mature within 130-150 days after the full bloom stage

depending upon the variety grown. The ripening of fruits is associated with the change in colour,

texture, quality and the development of the characteristic flavour. The fruits at the time of harvest

should be uniform, firm and crisp. The colour of the skin at maturity ranges from yellow-red

depending on the variety. However, the optimum time of harvest depends on fruit quality and

intended period of storage. Due to the introduction of dwarf rootstock hand picking is

recommended as it reduces bruising due to fruit fall during mechanical harvesting.

YieldthThe apple tree starts bearing from 4 year onwards. Depending on variety and season, a well managed

apple orchard yields on an average 10-20 kg/tree/year.

AppleIntercultural Operations

Weed Control

The young apple is very vulnerable to competition for nutrient from the weeds. Weeding should be

done at regular intervals during the initial years. Apart from hand weeding use of herbicides to

eliminate weeds both in the nursery as well as in the field is recommended. In the nursery, the weeds

are controlled by pre-emergence application of Nitrofen (0.5-1 kg a.i./ha) or Simazine (0.2-4 kg a.i.

/ha). In the field, pre- and post-emergence application of Atrazine (2-6 kg a.i./ha) or Terbacil (1-3 kg

a.i./ha) effectively controls the weed population. Mulching followed by herbicide application is the most

effective method of controlling the weed population. The best time of application of these herbicides is

early in the spring.

Mulching

Mulching with straw, hay, sawdust, oak leaves or other organic matter increases the humus content of

the soil and its moisture holding capacity. Various plastic and polythene mulches are also used. Black

alkathene mulch in cooler climatic conditions is very effective in weed control and moisture

conservation. It also helps in reducing fruit drop and improve fruit size, colour and quality.

Training

The objective of training is to admit maximum sunlight and air upto the centre of the tree and to

have maximum exposure of foliage to sunlight. It is also done with the view to direct the growth of

the plants in such a way that cultural operations are possible with maximum efficiency and at a

lower cost. The various methods of training adopted in apples are as follows -

Central Leader System : In this system, the tree has a main stem and well-

spaced subordinate branches. The tip of the central leader branch is usually

cut back which results in development of scaffold limbs. This system of

training gives large trees therefore pruning is done during the dormant season.

Open Centre System : The central leader is pruned about 1 m above ground

level and 3-5 well-spaced scaffold branches are retained. Secondary scaffold

branches are allowed to develop on the primary scaffold. Fruit bearing laterals

are borne on both primary and secondary scaffold branches. Since the centre

of the tree is open, there is more admission of light and air thus improving the

quality and colour of the fruits.

Modified Leader System : It is an intermediate between central leader and open

centre system. Initially for 3-4 years the tree is allowed to grow like central

leader system until 6 to 8 scaffold branches develop around the central leader.

The central leader is then cut from the central axis keeping the centre of the tree

open as in the open system. In this type of training, the tree develops well-space

limbs with strong crotches. As the tress have open top the sunlight penetration

is deep inside the tree canopy.

Pruning

Pruning is one of the most important practice which promotes plant vigour and productivity. Pruning is

done with a view to divert the sap flow towards the fruiting branches and to force the plants to bear more

fruits or to induce vigorous vegetative growth. During pruning, weak-growing and diseased branches

are removed from the tree. Usually the trees are pruned every year in the month of December-January.

The systems of pruning adopted in apple cultivation are as follows-

Established Spur System : Objective of this pruning is to develop permanent fruit spurs for production of fruits. To ensure

formation of spurs on the laterals the central leader is cut back every year along with the strong erect

laterals near the central leader. This leads to wide angled vigorous laterals for formation of spurs.

Regulated System : Regulated pruning is practiced generally on apple cultivars growing on semi-dwarfing and vigorous

rootstocks. Before planting, the central leader of the tree is cut back at 75 cm on which three well-

placed primary branches are allowed to grow. In bearing trees, the growth of leader and strong laterals

are encouraged by pruning weak and crowded branches.

Renewal System : In vigorous cultivars instead of developing permanent spurs, the objective is to encourage continuous

growth of new healthy shoots, spurs and branches every year. A part of the tree is pruned every year to

produce fruits in the following year on the new shoot growth, while the unpruned parts produces fruit

buds.

Thinning of Fruits

Thinning is one of the major techniques employed to regulate fruit quality. In apples, heavy bearing not

only results in small-sized poor quality fruits but also sets in alternate bearing cycle. Judicious thinning

done at the proper stage of fruit development can regulate cropping and improve fruit size and quality.

Since manual thinning is cumbersome and expensive, chemical thinning is employed. The chemicals

used in thinning along with their concentration and stage of application are as follows:

Chemical

NAA

NAAm

2, 4-D

2, 4, 5-T

Carbaryl/Sevin

DNOC

Dose (ppm)

10-15

20-100

2-10

2-2.5

1,000-2,000

1,000-2,000

Stage

Full bloom to 4 weeks after petal fall

Petal fall

Full bloom to petal fall

Full bloom to petal

Petal fall 4 weeks after petal fall

Full bloom

Chemical thinners should not be applied in very hot and dry conditions as it adversely affects the

absorption. Spraying should be done thoroughly to cover the entire canopy. Sometimes chemical

thinning follow calcium deficiency therefore adequate calcium nutrition should be supplemented after

thinning.

(ICAR: 50 years of crop science research in India, 1996).

AppleIrrigation

Apple trees are particularly sensitive to low soil moisture. Water stress during the growing season

reduces number and size of fruits, and increases June drop. Success of apple largely depends on

uniform distribution of rain during the year in case of dry spells during the critical periods

supplementary irrigation should be provided. Water stress conditions results in poor fruit set, heavy

fruit drop, low production and poor quality. The most critical periods of water requirement are April-

August and peak water requirement is after fruit set. Normally the orchards are irrigated immediately

after manuring in the month of December-January. During the summer periods, the crop is irrigated at

an interval of 7-10 days. After the fruit setting stage the crop is irrigated at weekly intervals. Application

of water during the fortnight preceding harvest markedly improves the fruit colour. Thereafter till the

onset of dormancy, irrigation is given at an interval of 3-4 weeks.

AppleManuring & Fertilization

The fertilizer dose depends upon the fertility of soil and amount of organic manure applied to the

crop. Generally, application of 350 g N, 175 g P O and 350 g K O per plant per year in split doses 2 5 2

is recommended for fully-grown bearing trees.

ApplePests

Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) :The adult female moth lay eggs on developing fruits and leaves. The larva of the pest enters into

fruit from any point of the surface and tunnels down to the core. Excessive

damage is caused in the core region. The damaged fruit drops off

prematurely.

Control : The control strategy includes mass pheromone trapping (25

traps/ha), collection and destruction of over wintered cocoons during April-

June and deep burying of fallen fruits during August. 2 sprays of

Phosphamidon (0.04%) in June-July at an interval of 2-3 weeks is effective

in controlling the pest.

Apple Clearwing Moth (Synanthedon myopaeformis) : This is one of the most important pests in apple. The larvae make tunnels in the bark of old trees

leading to peeling of bark. This makes the barks prone to infection by other decaying organisms.

Control : Winter spraying (when the larvae start feeding) as well as summer spraying (when the

adults appear) is recommended to control the pest. Immediately on appearance of the larvae

Chlorpyrifos (0.15%) is sprayed 3 times at an interval of 20 days.

Woolly Apple Aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) :Woolly apple aphid is a serious pest attacking apples, and it migrates from root to shoot and vice-

versa throughout the year. It is a small, brown and greyish purple sucking aphid, which attacks

bark and roots forming galls on roots, stem and shoot.

Control : Resistant rootstocks should preferably be used for grafting the desired cultivar. Soil

application of Phorate or Carbofuran granules during May and October/November checks

incidence and spread of the pest. Spraying with Chlorpyriphos (0.02%) or Fenetrothion (0.05%)

twice in May and June controls the pest effectively.

Blossom Thrips (Taeniothrips spp. Thrips flavus, Thrips carthami, Haplothrips

ceylonicus) :Thrips attack is favoured by hot-and dry weather conditions. They cause extensive damage to the

flowers. The flowers attacked by the thrips show withering symptoms resulting in poor fruit set or

pre-mature fall in the early stages of development. Heavily infested bloom produces distorted

flowers that open on one side.

Control : Bio-control agents like Chrysopa sp. and ladybird beetle (Coccinella septumpunctata) act

as predators of thrips. Foliar application of Chlorpyriphos (0.04%) or Fenetrothion (0.05%) at pin

bud stage is recommended for control of the pest.

Red Spider Mites (Panoychus ulmi) :Low relative humidity favours mite multiplication. Different stages of mite are found in colonies

covered by white-silky webs on lower surface of leaves. The adult lay reddish eggs underneath the

leaves and on the spurs. Nymphs and adults suck cell sap and bronze patches appear on leaves.

Affected leaves become mottled, turn brown and fall.

Control : Predators like coccinellids, predatory mite and anthocorid bug help to reduce the

population of mites. Spraying with Dicofol (0.05%) followed by Malathion (0.05%) effectively

reduced the mite infestation.

San Jose Scale (Quadraspidiotus perniciosus) :The ash-coloured scales feed on the bark of trunks and branches by sucking sap of the tree. The

affected bark surface shows greyish specks. The pest also infects the fruits leading to the

formation reddish spots.

Control : Application of 2% Misible oil (6-8 litres/tree) to the dormant trees in winter followed by

spraying with Diazinon (0.04%) during February-March controls the pest.

Root Borer (Dorysthenes hugelli) :The root borer is a very destructive pest in sandy loam soils. The shining chestnut red beetles lay

eggs in the soil during July-August. The grubs feed exclusively on the thick roots. The damage

symptoms are often observed when substantial loss has already occurred.

Control : Planting apple orchards on dry and sandy soils should be avoided. The adults should be

trapped and killed in the month of September. Drenching the basins of the plants with

Chlorpyriphos (0.04%) or dusting with Folidol dust (25 kg/ha) in September effectively controls the

pest.

ApplePost Harvest Technology

After the harvest, all the fruits are washed to remove the latex, sooty mould and surface debris.

Fruits free from defects should be sorted out and the remaining fruits are graded according to their

colour and size.

Packaging :Normally the apples are packed in cartoon with lids. Where staples are used care should be taken to

ensure complete staple closure to avoid fruit damage. Corrugated trays are equally effective as

packaging material while transporting the fruits. Use of such trays is cost effective due to its reusability.

Storage : Apples grown in the upper belts of Jammu and Kashmir can be stored for 90 days under ambient

conditions whereas in lower belts they are stored for 60 days.OMost apples maintain their quality when stored at 1.8 to 0 C with 90-95% relative humidity. However

Osome varieties are cold sensitive at this temperature and therefore have to be stored at 3.3-4.4 C. Fruit

to be stored longer than 1 month benefit from controlled atmosphere (CA) storage in terms of retention

of acidity and firmness and reduction of scald incidence. Recommended atmosphere is 1-2% O + 2-2

4% CO however specialist should be consulted for concentration of CO and O as the recommended 2 2 2

gas mixtures varies with the variety and the geographical area in which the variety is grown.

Apples can be stored with other temperate fruits if they have the same temperature requirements.

Vegetables like cabbage and onions should not be stored with apples as apples absorb their odour. O

Similarly fruits and vegetables sensitive to ethylene at 0 C should not be stored with apples.

Cool Chain :Cool chain is essential during the transport of export quality commodity all the way from the farm to the

customer. This helps in maintaining the temperature inside the box at the same low level as in the cold

storage.

The various stages of the cool chain are :1. Coldstore at the farm.

2. Refrigerated truck from farm to the airport

3. Coldstore at the airport.

4. Building up of the pallet in a coldstore at the airport.

5. Loading the aircrafts directly from the coldstore in a short time.

6. Cargo aircraft maintains coldstore temperature in hold.

7. Off loading direct into a coldstore in the receiving country.

8. Refrigerated truck to the customers.

ApplePlanting

Spacing

The planting distance varies according to variety and the fertility level of the soil.

The main consideration in planting trees is planting of sufficient pollinators to ensure effective

pollination. Usually one pollinator tree is needed for two to three large trees planted at 10 m distance or

one row pollinator for two rows of main cultivar. For high density planting the pollinator tree is planted

after every sixth tree in a row.

The most widely used planting system is the square system. In this system, the pollinators are planted

after every sixth or ninth tree. The other popular system of planting is the rectangular system. In hilly

areas the apple orchards are established by planting the trees on the contours so as to prevent soil

erosion and reduce run off.

Different spacing recommended for apples are as follows :

(ICAR : 50 years of crop science research in India, 1996).

Type Rootstock Spacing (m x m) Density (trees/ha)

Spur type Seedling (crab) 5 x 5 400

Spur type MM 111, MM 109 4 x 4 625

Standard MM 106, MM 109 5 x 5 400

Spur type MM 106, M7 3 x 3 1,111

Standard M 9 2 x 2 2,500

Pit Digging3Pits measuring 60 cm are dug two weeks before planting. The pits are filled with good loamy soil

and organic matter. Planting is done in the centre of the pit by scooping the soil and placing the soil

ball keeping the roots intact. Loose soil is filled up in the remaining area and lightly pressed to

remove air gaps. The seedlings are staked and watered immediately.

ApplePropagation

Grafting

Apples are propagated by several methods viz.; whip, tongue, cleft and roots grafting. Tongue and cleft

grafting at 10-15 cm above the collar during February-March gives the best results. Usually grafting is

done at the end of winter.

Budding

Apples are mostly propagated by shield budding, which gives a high percentage of success. In shield

budding a single bud along with a shield piece of stem is cut along with the scion and inserted beneath

the rind of the rootstock through a 'T' shaped incision during active growth period. Budding is done

when the buds are fully formed during summer. The optimum time of budding is September in Kashmir

Valley, Kumaon hills of Uttaranchal, high hills of Himachal Pradesh and June in mid hills of Himachal

Pradesh.

Rootstocks

Most of the apple plants are grafted or budded on seedling of wild crab apple. The seedling rootstocks

obtained from the seeds of diploid cultivars like Golden Delicious, Yellow Newton, Wealthy, Macintosh

and Granny Smith also can be used. High density planting is done using dwarfing rootstocks (M9, M4,

M7and M106).

AppleSoil and Climate

Soil :

Apples grow best on a well-drained, loam soils having a depth of 45 cm and a pH range of pH 5.5-6.5.

The soil should be free from hard substrata and water-logged conditions. Soils with heavy clay or

compact subsoil are to be avoided.

Climate :

The apple is a temperate fruit crop. However, in India the apple growing areas do not fall in

temperate zone but the prevailing temperate climate of the region is due to the Himalayan ranges O

and high altitudes. The average summer temperature should be around 21-24 C during active

growth period. Apple succeeds best in regions where the trees experience uninterrupted rest in

winter and abundant sunshine for good colour development. It can be grown at an altitude of 1500-

2700 m above the sea level. Well-distributed rainfall of 1000-1250mm throughout the growing

season is most favourable for optimum growth and fruitfulness of apple trees.

AppleVarieties

Red Delicious (Mid season)

Area : Himachal Pradesh

Widely planted cultivar, fruits are large, oblong conical; skin smooth, bright-dark red colour,

sometimes striped; pulp creamy white, tender, crisp, mildly sweet and juicy; available year-round

and is mainly grown for table purpose.

Golden Delicious (Late Season)

Area : Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh

Moderately vigorous of trees; fruits medium-large, oblong, skin golden yellow with russetted prominent

small dots scattered all over; pulp creamy white, firm, crisp, mildly sweet; available year-round. It is

used for table and processing purpose.

McIntosh

Area : Himachal Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh.

Vigorous growth of trees; fruit medium, oblate round, skin smooth with shining carmine colour on a pale

green background; pulp white, tender, crisp, juicy; sweet with a good acid blend and mild flavour;

susceptible to scab.

Chaubattia Anupam

Area : Uttar Pradesh.

The variety produces medium sized fruits, which are shining yellow with red strips. Fruits have crispy

white flesh with a sweet taste. The fruits of this variety have a distinct aromatic flavour.

Lal Ambri

Area : Jammu & Kashmir

It is a cross between Red Delicious and Ambri. Skin is smooth, bright-dark red colour; pulp creamy

white, tender, crisp, mildly sweet and juicy. Variety has an excellent keeping quality.

Exotic Varieties

Italy

Table purpose

Golden delicious, Braeburn, Mongendy, Lonas Gold, Gloster, Jonathan, Fuji, Pink Lady, Red

Delicious, Granny, Golden Supreme Pink Lady.

Processing

Speckle, Glala.

USA

Table purpose

Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala Sales, Fuji, Washington, Red Delicious, McIntosh, Empire,

Jonathan, Liberty.

Processing

Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, York Imperial, Stayman Winesap, Northern Spy, Rhode

Island, Greening, Winesap, Idared, Spartan, Prima, Priscilla, Sir, Prize, Freesom, Redfree.

Table & Processing

McIntosh, Cortland, Granny Smith, Redfree.

Hungary

Table & Processing

Delicious, Golden Li 85-50, Wellspur Delicoius

Germany

Table & Processing

Gloster, Tonagold

France

Processing

Colapuis, Cabarett, Reinette de Flandres

China

Table & Processing

Bolero, Maypole, Polka, Walts

UK

Table Purpose

McIntosh, Empire