Some Physio-Chemical Studies on Alternate Bearing in Apple in Azad Kashmir

Abstract

This project was conducted during 1996-98 to study the effect of cultural practices on the alternate bearing on apple in apple growing districts Rawalakot and Bagh of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Ringing and bending showed a significant effect on flowering in Starking delicious cultivar of apple as compare to control. In heavy ringing and bending number of flowers were maximum as compared to control. Because due to ringing and bending in the plants accumulation of carbohydrates was increased. While maximum fruit set percentage was recorded in light ringing as compare to control and heavy ringing and bending. In heavy ringing and bending may be plant went under stress. Maximum yield was obtained in the light ringing and bending plants which has 30% more as compared to control. Different treatment of amount of pruning showed the non significant difference in the first year but in the later years there was significant increase in number of flowers. Fruit set percentage, average fruit weight and yield. The plants in the later years attained proper care in respect of fertilizer and other cultural practices. Different treatment of farm yard manure showed a significant effect on the number of flowers, fruit set percentage, average fruit weight, yield and total soluble solids. T2 showed a significant increase in number of flowers, fruit set percentage, average fruit weight and yield over other treatments. This may be due to proper dose of fertilizer where provide proper amount of nutrients there also help the plant to maintain proper C:N ratio. Different treatments of F.Y.M. + fertilizers showed the super performance in all these experiments. In T2 although number of flowers (7951) were less as compared to T3 (8140) but it remain dominant on all treatment in other parameters. It may be due to the C:N ratio and availability of maximum amount of nutrients at proper time to the plants due to the combination of F.Y.M. and other cultural practices throughout the growing period. Fertilizers treatment also showed a significant increase in yield as compare to control. In control and T1 where the plants were fertilized once showed less flowering and fruit set percentage as compare to T2 where the plants were fertilized before and after flowering but excessive fertilization also resulted in low yield as compare to T2 which may be due to the disturbance in C:N ratio. This was due to that the plant after flowering were exhausted, the additional dose of fertilization after flowering help the plants for better fruit set. Due to heavy fruit setting, this automatically resulted in heavy yield. Different treatments of NAA showed a significant effect on the delaying of flowering time, number of flowers, set percentage and yield. 100 ppm spray of NAA showed a highly significant effect on delaying of flowering which was 20 days as compare to control. Delays in flowering provide favourable temperature for blooming and lees rainfall during the flowering of these plants. Due to the best environmental conditions for pollination and fruit setting, these apple plants gave more than double yield as compare to control. Finally it is concluded that with light ringing and bending, with good fertilization and by delaying flowering time we can overcome the problem of alternate bearing in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. By the control of this problem we can increase the per capita income of the farmers.