Productivity of intensive apple orchards in the context of vertical zonality in the North Caucasus

The article presents an analysis of the results of studying the productivity level of intensive espalier -dwarf apple perennial plantations in the context of vertical zonality of horticulture in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. The goal of the research is to establish the efficiency of cultivating super-intensive orchards under vertical zonality. Methodology. All experiments were carried out using standard methods generally accepted in the field of fruit growing. The results. It has been established that in terms of productivity in almost all cultivation zones, the best results have been shown by winter-ripening varieties - Golden Delicious, Golden Delicious clone B, Golden Rangers, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Red Delicious Hapke, Fuji Kiku. It has been revealed that the best properties in terms of fruit quality are manifested in the conditions of forest-mountain and foothill ecological zones, where about 90 percent or more of apples are premium and first grade fruits. Calculations on economic efficiency have proven that growing apple trees in forest-mountain and foothill fruit zones is very profitable. Conclusions. In the forestmountain and foothill zones, when developing land plots for super-intensive orchards, it is recommended to plant winter-ripening apple tree seedlings of the following varieties: Granny Smith, Jerome, Fuji Kiku, Early Red Van, Super Chief Sandidge, Golden Rangers. The Early Red Van, Super Chief Sandage, Red Chief Kamspur varieties have a compact tree crown structure, which allows for the establishment of orchards in a compacted pattern with row spacing of up to 0.5...0.7 m. This allows for the rational use of mountain and foothill lands. High-intensity orchards established in the region begin to bear fruit relatively early, providing stable yields of 35...45 t/ha by the 3 rd ...4 th year, with subsequent increases to 50...60 t/ha and more. Thus, the cultivation of high-intensity orchards in the region proves a high level of production profitability and a quick return on investment.