Cultivation technology of apple Production technology of appple

1. CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF APPLE/
PRODUCITON TECHNOLOGY OF APPLE
(TEMPERATE CROP)

2. COMMON NAME:- APPLE
B.N:- Malus domestica
FAMILY:- Rosaceae
Ch. NO. :- 2n=2x= 34
CENTRE OF ORGIN:- south western asia
FRUIT TYPE:- Pome
EDIBILE PORTION:- Thalamus

3. NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF APPLE
one medium apple, provides about 95
calories, 0 gram fat, 1 gram protein, 25
grams carbohydrate, 19 grams sugar
(naturally occurring), and 3 grams fiber.
ACID:- Malic acid

4. AREA AND PRODUCTION
In 2021, global apple production amounted to a total of 93.14 million
metric tons
 China produces the world's largest number and rank 1st in
production of apples, followed by the United States, Poland, Italy
and France. Famous for their health benefits, apples are grown in
almost every country.
 India ranks 5th in apple production among the world
 The major apple-growing states in India are Jammu & Kashmir (77.85%),
Himachal Pradesh (19.22%), Uttarakhand (2.53%), Arunachal Pradesh (0.32%) and
Nagaland (0.09%) (Figure 2)2. The total apple production in India amounts to
2057 thousand metric tonnes, cultivated across 312 thousand hectares

5. In India, Apple is 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, sikkim and Tamil Nadu

6. Apple can be grown at altitudes 1,500-2,700 m. above m.s.l. in the
Himalayan range which experience 1,000-1,500 hours of chilling (the no. of
hours during which temperature remains at or below 70 C during the winter
season). The temperature during the growing season is around 21-240 C.
For optimum growth and fruiting, apple trees need 100-125 cm. of annual
rainfall, evenly distributed during the growing season. Excessive rains and
fog near the fruit maturity period result in poor fruit quality with improper
colour development and fungal spots on its surface. Areas exposed to high
velocity of winds are not desirable for apple cultivation.
Loamy soils, rich in organic matter with pH 5.5 to 6.5 and having proper
drainage and aeration are suitable for cultivation
.
CLIMETRIC REQUIREMENT AND SOIL

7. CATEGORY VARITIES
CLONAL ROOTSTOCKS M 9, M 26, M7, MM 106, MM 11
HYBRIDS Lal Ambri (Red Delicious x Ambri), Sunehari (Ambri x Golden Delicious),
Chaubattia Princess, Chaubattia Anupam (Early Shanburry x Red Delicious),
Ambred (Red Delicious x Ambri), Ambrich (Richared x Ambri), Ambroyal
(Starking Delicious x Ambri)
SCAB RESISTANT Prima, Priscilla, Sir Prize, Jonafree, Florina, Macfree, Nova Easy Grow, Coop
12, Coop 13 (Redfree), Nova Mac, Liberty, Freedom, Firdous, Shireen
NATURAL MUTUANT Red elstar
EARLY CULTIVARS Irish peach
JUICE MAKING CULTIVAR Granny smith , Alington pippin

10. MM-9 Rootstock M-11 Rootstock M-7 Rootstock
M-106

11. ROOTSTOCKS RESISTANT TOLERENT
V3 Moderately resist to fire
G-65 Resist to fire blight
Mg Moderate to good in hardiness
Mark Resist to collar rot
V-1 Highly resist to fire blight
V-2 Highly resist to fire blight
MM-106 Resist to wooly aphid

12. Apples used for production of seedling rootstock include
Dolgo, and Antonovka which are both extremely hardy
and vigorous
DOLGO ANTONOVKA

13. COMMERCIAL PROPAGATION METHOD OF APPLE
Propagation. 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.
Cleft grafting

14. 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.
The average number of plants in an area of one ha. can range between 200 to 1250. Four different
categories of planting density are followed viz. low (less than 250 plants/ha.), moderate (250-500
plants/ha.), high (500-1250 plants/ha.) and ultra high density (more than 1250 plants /ha.). The
combination of rootstock and scion variety determines the plant spacing and planting density/unit area
PLANTING

15. Time and method of planting
Planting is usually done in the month of January and February.
Pits 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

16. 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.
TIME OF PLANTING

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. Thinning of fruit:-
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.
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.
It is desirable to retain one fruit for every 40 leaves. This spaces the fruit at about 15-20
cm apart and there will be only one fruit per spur.

20. Pollinizer varieties
All apple cultivars require cross-pollination with a pollinizer
(not to be confused with a pollinator, which is a bee) to
ensure commercial-quality fruit and yields. Varieties differ in
their self-fruitfulness

21. MANURES AND FERTILIZERS
Farmyard manure @ 10 kg./ year age of tree is applied along
with other fertilizers. 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 P2O5 and 350 g
K2O per plant per year in split doses is recommended for
fully-grown bearing trees. On some trees deficiency of zinc,
boron, manganese and calcium may be observed which is
corrected with the application of appropriate chemicals
through foliage spray.

22. Irrigation
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

23. Yield : The 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

24. PLANT PROTECTION
INSECT PEST OF APPLE
1. Woolly aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum
Symptoms of damage
Nymphs and adults suck the juice from bark of the trunk or fruits
Weakening and death of the smaller plants
Infested twigs shrivel and die
Galls on the roots
White, woolly patches on the trunk.

25. Cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi
Symptoms of damage
Nymph and adults suck the sap from leaves and twigs
Yellowing of leaves.
Stem borer, Apriona cinera
Symptoms of damage
Grub provide circular holes and mass of excreta
Chewed up wood particles protruding out;
Bark gnawed and leaves defoliated
Shoots with circuitous galleries and the infested trees stunted

26. San Jose scale, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus
Symptoms of damage
The infested region in bark becomes reddish pink
Purple discolouration on fruits.
Infested shoots – loss of vigour and death of young tree or branches
Codling moth, Cydia pomonella
Symptoms of damage
Caterpillar bore into the fruits and feed on the pulp
Infested leaves and fruits show tunnels with frass

27. Fire blight: Erwinia amylovora
Symptom
The initial symptom usually occurs on leaves, which become water soaked, then shrivel turn
brownish to black in colour and fall or remain hanging in tree.
The symptom spread to twigs. Terminal twigs wilt from tip to downward and also spread to
branches.
Fruits becomes water soaked, turns brown, shrivels and finally becomes black.
Oozing may be seen in the affected area.
DISEASE OF APPLE

28. Scab: Venturia inaequalis
Symptoms
Symptom appears on leaves and fruits.
On lower side of the leaf lesion appear as olivaceous spots which turn dark brown to
black and become velvety.
On young foliage, the spots have a radiating appearance with a feathery edge.
On older leaves the lesions are more definite in outline.
The lesion may form a convex surface with corresponding concave area on the opposite
side.
In severe infection leaf blade curved, dwarfed and distorted.
Fruits show small, rough, black circular lesions.
The centre of the spots become corky and on mature fruits, yellow halo is seen around the
lesions.

29. Powdery mildew: Podosphaera leucotricha
Symptom
Small patches of white powdery growth appear on upper side of leaves.
In severe case the symptom appear on both the sides.
Twigs are also infected. Affected leaves fall off in severe infection.
Fruit buds are also affected and deformed or remain small.

30.  Trees are pruned during dormancy so that spray penetration and air
circulation are adequate.
 Summer pruning is done on densely-foliated, vigorous trees and/or
gibberellin biosythesis inhibitor (such as paclobutrazol or prohexadione-Ca)
is applied.
 Prunings are removed or destroyed such that no residue is present after one
year.
 A complete leaf tissue analysis is performed in the current year.
 Prunings are flail-mowed, chopped, incorporated into the soil or removed
from the field (to reduce the amount of incipient disease inoculum available
for infections in the following year).
 Orchard renovation (4% of the orchard or greater) includes size-controlling
rootstocks in the new planting
INTEGRATED PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN APPLE

31. Disorders : In apple, there are three distinct fruit drops.
• Early drop resulting from unpollinated or unfertilized blossoms
• June drop (due to moisture stress and fruit competition)
and
• Pre-harvest drop. Pre-harvest drop can be controlled by spraying NAA @
10 ppm. (1 ml. of Planofix dissolved in 4.5 l. of water) about a week before
the expected drop.

32. POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT
 Pre-cooling
The fruits are placed in a cool and ventilated place to remove field heat
before packing. Fruit surface must be free from moisture before grading, wrapping
or packing in cartons.
 Grading
Grading of apples is done according to fruit size and fruit appearance or
quality. On the basis of fruit size, apples are graded manually in 6 grades. On the
basis of fruit colour, shape, quality and appearance, apple fruits can be graded in
three or more quality grades. These grades are designated as AAA, AA and A;
A,B,C; or extra fancy, fancy class I and fancy class II.

33. Storage
Apples have a long storage life compared to other fruits and can be stored
for a period of 4-8 months after harvesting. The fruits can be kept in cold storage at a
temperature of about – 1.10 to 00 C and 85-90% relative humidity.
 Packing
Apples are usually packed in wooden boxes having the capacity to accommodate
about 10 or 20 kg. fruits. Corrugated fibre board cartons are also used for packing.

34.  Transportation
Road transport by trucks is the most popular mode of transport due to
easy approach from orchards to the market.
 Marketing
Marketing of the produce is mainly controlled by intermediaries like
wholesalers and commission agents. During years of good production, the
wholesale prices in producing areas slip down to un-remunerative levels.