STUDIES ON LOW CHILL APPLES (Malus × domestica Borkh.) IN SUB-MOUNTAIN ZONE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2024-06-13
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UHF Nauni
Abstract
The present investigations entitled “Studies on low chill apples (Malus × domestica
Borkh.) in sub-mountain zone of Himachal Pradesh” were carried out during 2017-2018 at
Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur Districts of Himachal Pradesh. Apple cultivation in the warmer area
of HP is slowly gaining popularity and this has an encouraging potential for the diversification of fruit
cultivation in the lower areas. Keeping this in view an attempt has been made with the objectives to
evaluate the existing low chilling apple plantations grown on seedling rootstock and to determine the
status and potential of their cultivation in the lower hills of Himachal Pradesh. Based on the
evaluation study cultivar Anna has been observed to be perform better in terms of tree height (3.32 m)
AK, tree girth (21.38 cm) in AK2, tree volume (1.60m3) in AK1, yield (9.21kg/plant) in AK10,
productivity (3.82t/ha) in AK10, whereas in terms of fruit length (69.80 mm), fruit weight (140.11 g)
in AK8, fruit base cavity depth (1.89kg/cm3) in AH6 the best fruit shape and surface colour.
Dorestt Golden had highest fruit setting in terms of selfing (26.94%) and in open pollination
(54.36%), similarly, Dorsett Golden fruit also had maximum width (68.49 mm) in DH3, highest TSS
(11.99°B) in DK1, titrable acidity (0.50%) in DK4 and non-reducing sugar (3.94 %) in DK10.
However, Dorsett Golden a pollinizer also improved the yield of Anna cultivar. The cultivation of
these cultivars will defiantly boost the apple orcharding for the upliftment of the farming community
of lower foothills as the fruits of these cultivars fetches better price in the market due to its early
harvesting. However, there is a need to educate farmers in all the aspects of training, pruning and
orchard management practices for remunerative returns and longer life span of plantations.