This presentation covers the cultivation practices of apple (Malus domestica), a major temperate fruit crop. It details origin, economic importance, botany, varieties, climate and soil requirements, propagation, orchard management, plant protection, and post-harvest handling. Key concepts include varieties, propagation, orchard management, disease management, and post-harvest practices.
Introduction to Apple Cultivation
- Apple (Malus domestica) belongs to family Rosaceae.
- Known as the “king of temperate fruits.”
- Major table fruit globally; widely consumed fresh and processed.
- Originated in Central Asia; cultivated for over 4000 years.
Origin and Distribution
- Origin: Central Asia (Kazakhstan region).
- China is the largest producer globally.
- In India, major states: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland.
- Apple is the main horticultural crop in Himachal Pradesh.
Area, Production, and Productivity (India, 2001-02)
| State | Area (‘000 ha) | Production (‘000 MT) | Productivity (MT/ha) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jammu & Kashmir | 90.1 | 909.6 | 10.1 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 92.8 | 180.6 | 1.9 |
| Uttarakhand | 51.8 | 59.3 | 1.1 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 6.7 | 8.5 | 1.3 |
| Nagaland | 0.1 | 0.3 | 3.3 |
| All India | 241.6 | 1158.3 | 4.8 |
Economic Importance and Nutritional Value
- Consumed fresh; also processed into juice, jelly, cider, wine.
- Rich in dietary fiber, vitamins (A, B1, B2, C), and minerals (P, Ca, Fe).
- One medium apple: ~95 kcal, 0.47g protein, 4.4g fiber.
- “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Botanical Description
- Deciduous tree, 1.8–4.6 m tall in cultivation.
- Leaves: alternate, simple, serrated margins, downy underside.
- Flowers: white with pink tinge, 5-petaled, borne in cymes.
- Fruit: pome type, red/yellow skin, pale flesh.
Varieties and Hybrids
- Two types: Diploids (self-fruitful) and Triploids (require pollinizers).
- Common diploids: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathan.
- Triploids: Baldwin, Northern Spy.
- Indigenous: Ambri (Kashmir).
- Important hybrids: Lal Ambri, Sunehri, Ambstarking, Ambroyal, Ambrich, Chaubattia Princess, Ambredred.
Climate Requirements
- Requires 1000–1500 chilling hours below 7°C for dormancy break.
- Optimal elevation: 1500–2700 m above MSL.
- Ideal temperature: 21–24°C during growth.
- Needs frost-free spring, adequate sunshine, 100–125 cm well-distributed rainfall.
Soil Requirements and Propagation
- Prefers loamy, well-drained soils, pH 5.5–6.5, rich in organic matter.
- Gentle to moderate slope; avoid waterlogging and hardpan.
- Propagation: vegetative (budding/grafting) on crab apple or Malling rootstocks.
- Malling IX controls vigor; Malus baccata common rootstock in India.
Planting Practices
- Planting season: January–February.
- Spacing varies: low (<250/ha), moderate (250–500/ha), high (500–1250/ha), ultra-high (>1250/ha).
- Systems: square/hexagonal (valleys), contour (slopes).
- Pits: 1m × 1m × 1m, filled with FYM, SSP, Malathion dust.
- Irrigate immediately after planting.
Nutrient Management
- FYM: 10 kg/tree/year; increase with age.
- N:P:K ratio: 70:35:70 g/year/tree (increase with age).
- After 10 years: 700:350:700 g NPK/tree/year.
- Correct micronutrient deficiencies (Zn, B, Mn, Ca) via foliar sprays.
Irrigation and Training/Pruning
- Annual water requirement: ~114 cm; 15–20 irrigations/year.
- Critical period: April–August (fruit set to development).
- Training: modified central leader system for standard trees.
- Spindle bush system for high-density orchards.
- Pruning maintains balance between growth and fruiting.
Intercultural Operations and Growth Regulators
- Weed control: glyphosate, paraquat, mulching (hay, black alkathene).
- Intercropping: green manure crops (sunflower, beans) in early years.
- Growth regulators: carbaryl, NAA for fruit thinning and quality improvement.
Harvesting and Yield
- Harvest at physiological maturity; apples are climacteric fruits.
- Maturity indices: TSS, color change, seed color, fruit firmness.
- Yield: 40–100 kg/tree at full bearing (after 5 years).
- Productive lifespan: up to 50 years; alternate bearing common in some varieties.
Major Pests and Management
- Woolly aphid: use resistant rootstocks (M778, MM104, MM110, etc.).
- Biological control: Aphelinus mali, coccinellid predators.
- Chemical control: carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, malathion, oxydemeton-methyl, quinalphos.
Major Diseases and Management
- Apple scab: spray schedule with mancozeb, captafol, carbendazim.
- Use stickers (Triton/Teepol) for better spray adherence.
- Lichens: control with quick lime spray after pruning.
Post-Harvest Management
- Pre-cooling: remove field heat before grading and packing.
- Grading: by size, color, quality (AAA, AA, A, etc.).
- Storage: 4–8 months at -1.1°C to 0°C, 85–90% RH.
- Packing: wooden boxes or corrugated fiberboard cartons (10–20 kg capacity).
Summary of Apple Cultivation Practices
- Selection of suitable varieties and rootstocks is crucial.
- Proper site, soil, and climate are essential for high yield and quality.
- Integrated orchard management ensures productivity and sustainability.
- Timely pest, disease, and post-harvest management maximize returns.