OPTIMIZING FEMIGROW APPLICATION FOR ENHANCED YIELD AND AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN APPLE (MALUS DOMESTICA BORKH.) CULTIVATION

Effective nutrient management and growth-enhancing agents are crucial for apple production, especially for the Royal Delicious variety.This study focuses on evaluating the impact of different concentrations of Femigrow, a biostimulant, on the reproductive and yield-related parameters of apple trees.Conducted in 2023 in a commercial orchard in Asrang Village, Kinnaur district, the experiment included four Femigrow treatments (1.0 ml/L, 1.5 ml/L, 2.0 ml/L, and 2.5 ml/L) and a control group (no Femigrow).Treatments were applied at two key growth stages-half-inch and tight cluster (Pink bud)-using foliar spray in a randomized block design with three replications.The results showed that the 1.5 ml/L Femigrow treatment significantly improved fruit set (3.82%) and reduced fruit drop (96.18%), yielding 26.18 kg/tree and a productivity of 12.93 MT/Ha.The 1.0 ml/L treatment achieved the highest yield of 30.51 kg/tree and the highest productivity of 15.66 MT/Ha.In contrast, the 2.5 ml/L concentration resulted in lower performance in fruit set, yield, and productivity (9.64 MT/Ha).These findings suggest a non-linear dose-response, with the 1.5 ml/L treatment offering the best balance of agronomic benefits.Additionally, no statistically significant differences were observed in certain parameters, such as fruit number and reproductive flower count, indicating that Femigrow's effects are concentration-dependent and may reach saturation beyond certain thresholds.Overall, this study highlights the effectiveness of targeted Femigrow applications in enhancing yield, productivity, and fruit quality in apple cultivation.