Evaluation of different apple planting systems in high, mid, and low altitudes of Kashmir Valley

Abstract:

Keeping the varied profitability of different apple orchards situated in different horticultural zones of Kashmir in consideration, a study entitled “Evaluation of different apple planting systems in high, mid, and low altitudes of Kashmir Valley” was carried out by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kulgam, SKUAST-Kashmir. Yield/tree and different marketable grades of apple per tree as affected by cultivar, planting density, and area of plantation were observed during the study. The study revealed marked differences in mean yield/tree in different zones and varied between 22.62 to 24.09kg/tree (Redlum Gala), 24.46-26.35kg/tree (Red Velox) and 21.59-24.61kg/tree (Super Chief) irrespective of planting density. Mean yield/tree between various planting density systems varied significantly irrespective of cultivar and varied between 16.10kg/tree in D1 (3333 plants/Ha) to 31.62kg/tree in D3 (444 plants/Ha). The lowest mean yield/tree was recorded in the Super Chief cultivar in Qaimoh (Low zone) planted in D1 System while as highest mean yield/tree was recorded in the Red Velox cultivar in Kadder (Mid zone) planted in the D3 system. Similarly huge variation in the type of grade/tree in different studied cultivars planted in various zones under different planting systems was observed during the current investigation. Mean fancy grade/tree was observed to be highest (3.38/kg/tree) in D2 (1333 plants/ha) and lowest (2.19kg/tree) in case of the D1 planting system. The lowest mean fancy grade (1.60kg/tree) was observed in Redlum Gala of Qaimoh zone planted in the D2 planting system whereas the highest quantity of fancy grade apple (5.17kg/tree) was recorded in Red Velox of Kadder (mid zone) planted in D2 system (1333 plants/Ha). The quantity of A- grade apples and other types also varied among various zones, planting systems, and various studied cultivars. The mean A-grade per tree ranged between 8.22 kg/tree for Redlum Gala in Qaimoh (Z3) planted in the D1 system to 22.01kg/tree in the case of Super Chief in the Kadder zone planted in the D3 system. Similarly, the yield of B-grade apples varied from 1.39kg/tree in Super Chief in the Qaimoh zone planted in the D1 system to 7.56kg/tree in the Red Velox cultivar of the Qaimoh zone planted in the D3 system. However, the least C-grade per tree (0.78 kg) was obtained in the Redlum Gala cultivar in the Manzgam zone planted in D1 system.