Apple Fruit
Horticulture Notes
Botanical & General Profile
Core Botanical Information
| Scientific Name | Malus domestica |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Chromosome Number | 2n = 34 |
| Fruit Type | Pome |
| Edible Portion | Thalamus (Fleshy receptacle) |
| Pollination | Cross-pollinated |
| Propagation | Grafting / Budding |
| Economic Life | 30–50 years |
Centre of Origin & Lineage
| Centre of Origin | Central Asia (Kazakhstan) |
| Ancestor | Malus sieversii |
Climate & Soil Requirements
Climatic Parameters
| Climate Type | Temperate |
| Optimum Temp. | 21–24°C |
| Chilling Requirement | 800–1600 hours (variety dependent) |
| Frost Sensitivity | Harmful during flowering |
Soil Specifications
| Soil Type | Well-drained loam |
| Optimal Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
Planting & Orchard Management
Planting Specifications
| Planting Season | December–February |
| Traditional Spacing | 6 × 6 m |
| High Density Spacing | 3 × 1 m (rootstock dependent) |
| Propagation Methods | Tongue grafting, Budding |
Rootstock Classification
| Rootstock | Importance / Growth Habit |
|---|---|
| M-9 | Dwarf |
| M-26 | Semi-dwarf |
| MM-106 | Semi-vigorous |
| MM-111 | Vigorous |
Training & Pruning
| Training System | Modified Central Leader ⭐ |
| Pruning Frequency | Annual |
Nutrient, Irrigation & Weed Control
Nutrient & Water Recommendations
| FYM Dose | 20–40 kg/tree |
| NPK Application | According to tree age & soil test |
| Fertigation Method | Best applied via Drip System |
| Best Irrigation | Drip Irrigation |
| Critical Stages | Flowering & Fruit Development |
Weed Management
| Mulching | Recommended |
| Manual Control | Hand Weeding (Common) |
| Chemical Herbicide | Pendimethalin (Pre-emergence) |
Pest, Disease & Disorder Management
Major Diseases
| Disease | Causal Organism |
|---|---|
| Apple Scab ⭐⭐⭐ | Venturia inaequalis |
| Powdery Mildew | Podosphaera leucotricha |
| Fire Blight ⭐⭐⭐ | Erwinia amylovora |
| Collar Rot | Phytophthora spp. |
Major Insect Pests
| Pest | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Codling Moth ⭐⭐⭐ | Cydia pomonella |
| Woolly Apple Aphid | Eriosoma lanigerum |
| San Jose Scale | Quadraspidiotus perniciosus |
| Red Spider Mite | Panonychus ulmi |
Physiological Disorders
| Disorder | Causal Factor |
|---|---|
| Bitter Pit ⭐⭐⭐ | Calcium deficiency |
| Sunburn | High temperature |
| Fruit Drop | Moisture stress |
Varieties, Post-Harvest & Production
Prominent Varieties
| Variety | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Red Delicious ⭐⭐⭐ | Most popular |
| Golden Delicious | Pollinizer variety |
| Royal Delicious | Commercial variety |
| Ambri | Kashmir local variety |
| Gala | Export quality variety |
| Fuji | Sweet variety |
| Granny Smith | Green apple variety |
Harvesting & Cold Storage
| Bearing Starts | 3–5 years (grafted plants) |
| Storage Temp. | 0–1°C |
| Relative Humidity | 90–95% |
| Ripening Behaviour | Climacteric fruit |
Important Research Institutes
| Institute | Location |
|---|---|
| ICAR-CITH | Srinagar |
| ICAR-IIHR | Bengaluru |
| Dr YS Parmar UHF | Nauni, Solan (Himachal Pradesh) |
Production & Geographic Statistics
| Largest Producer | China |
| Largest Exporter | China |
| Major Indian States | Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh |
Exam One-Liners & PYQs
Q: What is the fruit type of apple?
Ans: Pome
Q: What is the botanical family of apple?
Ans: Rosaceae
Q: What is the major fungal disease affecting apple orchards?
Ans: Apple Scab (Venturia inaequalis)
Q: What causes Bitter Pit disorder in apple fruit?
Ans: Calcium deficiency
Q: Which insect is considered the major pest of apple?
Ans: Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella)
Q: What is the best training system for apple trees?
Ans: Modified Central Leader
Q: Which country is the largest producer of apple globally?
Ans: China
Q: What is the center of origin of apple?
Ans: Kazakhstan (Central Asia)
Q: What is the edible portion of an apple?
Ans: Thalamus (Fleshy receptacle)
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