Pollination treatment affects yield and marketable grade in apple cv. Red Delicious and Starkrimson

Pollination plays a critical role in the productivity and quality of apple cultivars, particularly in self-incompatible varieties like Red Delicious and Starkrimson. This study evaluated the impact of various pollination treatments on fruit set (%), yield (kg/tree), and marketable grade (A, B, C, Fancy grade percent) in these cultivars. Conducted over two growing seasons (2021-2023) in the Manzgam and Kadder zones of Kulgam district, Jammu & Kashmir, the experiment involved four pollination treatments: natural open pollination (T0), Boquete pollination (T1), Boron spray (T2), and a combination of Boquete pollination and Boron spray (T3). Results revealed that T3 significantly improved fruit set, retention, and yield, with Red Delicious achieving the highest fruit set (62.4%) and fruit retention (38.8%) under this treatment. The Lowest fruit set irrespective of cultivar was observed in open pollination (control). A significantly better fruit retention percentage was observed in Red Delicious (22.08%) compared to Starkrimson (19.33%). Although Starkrimson produced higher percentages of A-grade fruit, both cultivars showed increased fruit quality and yield under supplemental pollination treatments. Furthermore, combining Boquete pollination and Boron spray (T3) reduced fruit drop and enhanced marketable grades, including a significant reduction in B-grade and C-grade fruits. The study concludes that effective pollination management, particularly through integrated approaches like T3, can substantially enhance both the yield and quality of apples, supporting sustainable orchard profitability.