Introduction to Apple
- Botanical name: Malus domestica; Family: Rosaceae
- Origin: Central Asia, including Caucasus and Hindu-Kush Himalayan region
- Chromosome number: 2n = 34, 51, 68 (x = 17)
- Genus Malus has about 25 species
Importance and Distribution
- Major temperate fruit crop, rich in carbohydrates, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium
- Introduced in India in 1865 (Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh)
- Commercially grown in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand
- Also cultivated in NE states and Nilgiri hills
- India: ~2.8 lakh ha area, ~1.77 million tonnes production
Climatic and Soil Requirements
- Requires 1000–1600 chilling hours; low-chill varieties need 500–800 hours
- Optimal summer temperature: 21–24°C; pollination best at 18–22°C
- Frost-free spring, mild summer, and 100–125 cm well-distributed rainfall ideal
- Prefers deep, fertile, loamy soils with pH 6.0–6.5 and good drainage
Taxonomic Classification and Species
- Family: Rosaceae; Genus: Malus
- Important species: M. domestica (edible apple), M. floribunda (flowering crab), M. baccata (Siberian crab), M. coronaria (American crab), M. angustifolia (narrow-leaved crab)
- Crab apples used as pollinizers and ornamentals
Recommended Varieties in India
- Early: Irish Peach, Benoni, Tydeman’s Early Worcester, Mollies Delicious, Anna
- Mid-season: Starking Delicious, Red Delicious, Rich-a-Red, Top Red, Scarlet Gala
- Late: King Pippin, Golden Delicious, Red Fuji, Granny Smith, Mutsu
- Spur types: Red Chief, Oregon Spur, Silver Spur, Well Spur
- Low-chill: Michal, Schlomit, Anna, Vered, Tropical Beauty
Notable Apple Varieties
- Red Delicious: Large, oblong-conical, greenish-yellow with red streaks, ripens August
- Starking Delicious: Limb sport of Red Delicious, large, conical, yellow with red stripes
- Fuji: Pink speckled flush, crisp, juicy, late-maturing
- Black Diamond: Rare, purple skin, grown at high altitude (Tibet)
- Mutsu: Cross of Golden Delicious × Indo, large, green to yellow, late, good pollinizer
Pollinizing Varieties and Colour Sports
- Pollinizers: Golden Delicious, Red Gold, Tydeman’s Early Worcester, Granny Smith, Winter Banana
- Flowering crabs (e.g., Malus floribunda) also used as pollinizers
- Colour sports: Red Chief, Oregon Spur, Super Chief, Vance Delicious, Top Red
Major Pests: San Jose Scale
- Scientific name: Quadraspidiotus perniciosus
- Polyphagous, sucks sap from aerial parts, reduces vigour and fruit quality
- Symptoms: Grey overlapping scales on bark, poor fruit set
- Management: Spray 2% dormant oil or 1.5% summer oil at appropriate stages; 0.04% chlorpyriphos after petal fall
Major Pests: Woolly Apple Aphid
- Scientific name: Eriosoma lanigerum
- Colonies form white woolly masses on aerial parts and roots
- Damage: Sap sucking, gall formation, stunted growth, reduced fruit set
- Management: Spray 0.04% chlorpyriphos in May–June and October; use resistant rootstocks (Malling Merton series)
Major Disease: Apple Scab
- Pathogen: Venturia inaequalis
- Symptoms: Olive green to black spots on leaves and fruits, leaf curling, fruit cracking
- Management: Scheduled sprays of dodine, mancozeb, carbendazim, zineb at key growth stages; 5% urea post-harvest
Maturity Indices, Harvesting, and Yield
- Apple trees start bearing from 4th year onwards
- Maturity: Change in ground colour, seed colour, and ease of fruit detachment
- Harvesting time depends on variety and region
- Average yield: 10–20 kg/tree/year in well-managed orchards
Summary: Integrated Apple Production
- Select suitable varieties and pollinizers for region and climate
- Ensure proper chilling, soil, and water management
- Implement regular pest and disease monitoring and control
- Follow recommended harvesting and post-harvest practices for quality fruit