High Density Plantation in Apple: A new beginning

Introduction

Traditional orcharding system in apple give poor yield due to low density plantations and also the quality of fruit is poor due to improper canopy management. High density plantation is a planting system in which the maximum numbers of plants are accommodated within a unit area to obtain maximum output by optimum utilization of solar radiation, land, water and nutrient from soil. The principle of HDP system is to make the best use of vertical and horizontal space per unit time and to harness maximum possible return per unit of inputs. In other words, it is the planting of more number of plants than optimum through manipulation of tree size. The successful management of apple trees in any high-density planting system depends on maintaining a balance between vegetative growth and fruiting. The successful balance of vegetative vigour and fruiting results in ideal trees that produce heavy annual crops and require only a light annual pruning. It is cultivation of fruits using dwarf rootstocks with modified canopies. Proper light distribution within tree canopy increases the number of illuminated leaves. Fertilizer dose, spacing, growth regulation by the training and pruning, use of the mechanical devices etc. may also be tried either singly or coupled with other crop management practices for a successful adaptation of this concept. It also promotes the rate of photosynthesis that leads to a high yield per unit area. Basically, the availability of a dwarf plant is the first and foremost prerequisite for establishing any high density orchard. There has been a steady increase in planting density over the last few decades from 270 trees/ha at 6m x 6m spacing to 3333 trees/ha at 3m x 1.0m spacing.

Know more about Latest High Density Plantation scheme in J&K click here

Advantages of High Density Plantation

• High density planting facilitates better utilization of available resources i.e. solar radiation, land, water, labour, dwarf rootstocks, spur cultivars, human skill etc.
• High density orchards are more precocious thus result in earlier return on investment which is key for investment.
• HDP results in higher productivity and harvest index due to increase in bearing surface per unit area.
• High density planting produce better quality fruits due to high light interception and distribution of light within plant canopy.
• High density planting facilitate easy picking with less injury to fruit which result in better post-harvest life during storage.
• HD orchards have better acceptance to modern input saving fruit production technique such as drip irrigation, fertigation, mechanical harvesting, mechanical pruning etc.
• High density orchards increase effectiveness and reduce cost involved in horticultural operation like inter-cultural operation, pruning, plant protection measures etc.

Limitation/Constraints

• High initial establishment costs, mainly due to the increased tree cost per unit area and tree support structure.
• Need more professional and scientific approach in management.

Table: Comparison of high density plantation with traditional orcharding system in apple

PPFD: Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density
PAR: Photosynthetically Active Radiation

Economic advantage of High Density Plantation:

• If we compare traditional orcharding system where productivity is about 10t/ha with High Density Plantation orchard where productivity can go up-to 60 t/ha and therefore can increase the economic returns from existing (10, 000 x 50 = Rs 5 lakh /ha) to (60, 000 x 50 = Rs 30 Lakh/ha).
• The quality of fruit under HDP is better (Grade A) due to proper canopy management system which leads to good fruit size and colour.
• The variety which are being recommended for HDP are better in quality and have higher consumer acceptability
• Orchards come into commercial bearing early due to better precocity

Regions Recommended:

Temperate region including J & K, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, other North Eastern states.

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