MAHAJAN, P.K.BHARTI2017-08-172017-08-172017http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810028840ABSTRACT The present study entitled “Statistical investigations on apple production in Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. Multistage random sampling technique was employed for the selection of sampling units. Primary data were collected on area, production and socio-economic parameters for standardization of sampling technique for estimation of apple production in Himachal Pradesh. Equalization of cum √f method of construction of strata boundaries showed least variance among four stratification rules and can be efficiently used for estimation of apple production in study area. The estimate of apple production came out to be 788782 MT with standard error of 27.55. Data were recorded on various morphological characteristics of apple plant to assess their relative contribution towards the yield. Apple yield was found to be significantly and positively correlated with fruit weight, trunk girth, plant height, canopy spread, flower density index and fruit set. Step-wise regression analysis suggested that plant girth, flower density index and fruit weight were the most significant characteristics for estimation of apple yield. Path analysis revealed that fruit weight and flower density index were the most important characteristics of apple crop which should be exploited through a breeding programme for improving yield potential. Two groups namely low and high yielder were categorized on the basis of canopy spread, fruit set, LD ratio and fruit weight using discriminant function. The groups formed were subjected to Principal Components and Factor Analyses. Four out of ten Principal Components were extracted for both populations which explained 79.47% and 79.88% of the total variation of the original variables respectively. Power and linear function can be used for the prediction of apple area and production respectively in Himachal Pradesh. ARIMA (0, 1, 0) and ARIMA (1, 1, 5) were found to be best fitted models for forecasting of apple area and production respectively in Himachal Pradesh. Apple production was found to be positively and significantly correlated with the maximum temperature and relative humidity. Step wise regression revealed that the maximum and minimum temperatures were the most important weather parameters for the estimation of apple yield. Socio-economic status of apple orchardists with respect to production and marketing of apple crop was also studied. Retailers channel (Channel V) was found to be most efficient for marketing of apple, followed by commission agents channel (Channel III), post harvest channel (Channel-I), and village trader channel (Channel II) in the study area.ennullThesis