cultivation of apple and sapota in india
TRANSCRIPT
Cultivation of Apple and Sapota
in India
KRISHNARAJ NSMBA ABM
KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
APPLE(Malus sylvestris)
Basics …
Apple is a temperate fruit
Suitable for growing in high ranges
Suitable for Loam soil, sandy loam soil ,silt loam soil (all with porous and well drained subsoil)
Varieties
Crab Apple: Relatively smaller in fruit size. Also differ in leaf colour, growth habit, flowering time and flower colour. They are drought tolerant
Golden delicious: Fruits –medium to large and oblong. Skin golden yellow with russetted prominent small dots scattered all over. Flesh creamy white, firm, crisp, sweet with a blend of acidity. Good polllinizer for all delicious groups.
Yellow Newton: An old variety. Fruit medium to large and shape is variable. Usually roundish and oblate. Flesh is yellowish, crisp , tender, moderately fine grained. Juicy, sub acid and aromatic.
Prepare land for Apple cultivation
Pits : 1m wide and 20 cm deep or 60X60X60 cm
Planting distance : 7 -10 m
Planting Operations…
Propagating Method : Grafting (Whip and Tongue). Grafting is done on crab apple seedlings
The grafted plants are planted with graft union above soil level
For effective fruit set, pollinating varieties are inter-planted.
Regularly irrigation should be given for about two years in the initial years.
How to apply fertilisers…
NPK Recommendation 30:30:30 gm/plant
In addition, apply 65 gm urea, 167 gm rock phosphate and 50 gm muriate of potash respectively
Fertiliser has to be applied around the plant and incorporated it through light hoeing.
Care …
Irrigate the plant to overcome moisture stress.
Critical water period : April to August
Thinning of fruits is practised to improve fruit colour and fruit size
Desirable to retain one fruit for every 40 leaves.
Pruning…
Pruning and training are important in apple cultivation
One year old plants are cut back at about 80-100 cm above ground
No shoot is retained below 50 cm from the ground
When to Harvest…
Apple is a climacteric fruit
Ease in separation of fruits from spur is one indication to harvest
Change in ground surface colour from green to pale is another indication
Seed colour changes to brown on maturity.
Harvesting…
Apple fruits should be picked in such a way that bruising and stem punctures are avoided and pedicel must retain with fruit
Don’t pick immature fruits
Don’t pick over mature fruits
Storage
Place seeds in a cool and ventilated place to remove field heat before packing.
Air cooler, cold water sprinkling or washing with water helps in removal of field heat
Keeping fruits over-night near the tree basins also removes heat
Fruit surface must be free of moisture before grading , wrapping or packing in cartons.
Friuts can be stored for 120-150 days at 4-5 degree Celsius
SAPOTA(Manilkara zapota)
Basics…
Requires a temperature range of 11-34 degree Celsius
Annual rainfall of 225-375 cm desirable
Suitable for all soil type
Well drained soil is desirable for better growth
Varieties
Cricket ball Oval Kalippatti Badami Baramasi Calcutta ground Pala PKM-1
Propagation…
Through layering and grafting
Manilkara hexandra is the best rootstock for inarching Sapota
When to plant…
Planting season May to JuneShouldn’t plant during rainy seasons
Preparing the land…
Pits of 60X60X60 cmSquare spacing of 7-8m
Fertiliser Information
500:360:750 gm NPK/Plant
1085 gm urea, 1998 gm rock phosphate, 1252 gm muriate of potash respectively per plant.
First dose: May to June
Second Dose: August to September
Lime has to be added after two weeks ahead of fertiliser application
Irrigation…
Not necessary except early stages and hot weather…
Training and Pruning…
Pruning is not necessary, but in old trees lower braches can be cut upto 1 m
Flowering and fruiting…
Season : October to November and February to March
Grafted Sapota begin to begin to bear in the third year after planting…
Fruit production increases with age up to 30 years…
Harvesting…
Mature fruits , which are dull brown in colour can be harvested
Fruits can be handpicked or harvested with a special harvester
Can be stored for about five days before they are ripened fully for consumption…
Ripe fruits can be kept for about 5 to 7 days…
THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE !!!