Growth, flowering and fruiting behaviour of different exotic apple cultivars under high density planting system

Investigations on the flowering behaviour of thirteen exotic cultivars of apple grafted on M9 T337 rootstock under high density plantation having age of four years was conducted in the Experimental Farm of Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST-K, Shalimar campus (J & K) during the year 2021 and 2022. Observations were recorded on growth, foliage, phenological, flowering, fruiting and yield related parameters. Earliest silver tip stage (13th-15th March) was observed in Red Braeburn and Elstar whereas all the flowering parameters was earliest commenced in Red Braeburn and late flowering parameters were noticed in Golden Clone B and Fuji Zehn Aztec. Maximum duration of flowering was recorded in Golden Delicious Reinders (15.33 days) whereas minimum duration was observed in 10.33 days. Maximum bloom density was recorded in Mitch Gala (14.68) apple while Super Chief Sandidge apple exhibited lowest bloom density (2.47). Red Braeburn, Red Velox and Fuji Zehn Aztec registered maximum values for number of cluster per branch (24.24), number of flowers per cluster (5.56) and number of fruits per cluster (5.00), respectively. Golden Delicious Reinders registered maximum growth parameters viz. plant height (3.28 m) and trunk girth (28.94 cm) along with maximum yield (30.01 kg/plant) and yield efficiency (1.90 kg/cm2) whereas Super Chief Sandidge recorded highest fruit set (91.97 %) and fruit retention (79.43 %). Overall, it was concluded that Red Braeburn and Golden Delicious Reinders performed best in terms of flowering and yield parameters.