Effect of Top Working to Improve Pollination in Apple (Malus X domestica Borkh.) Orchards under Mid Hill Conditions of Kullu District

Abstract

A study was carried out at village Seobagh of Kullu block located at 5000 feet altitude on eighteen years old Royal Delicious apple orchard raised on seedling rootstock spaced at 6m x 6m apart. Seven pollinizer cultivars viz. Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Spartan, Commercial, Mollis Delicious, Gloster and Black Ban Davis were used in various combinations [viz. T₁: Top working with Golden Delicious + Granny Smith, T₂: Top working with Golden Delicious + Spartan, T₃: Top working with Commercial + Mollis Delicious + Gloster, T₄: Top working with Commercial + Black Ban Davis + Spartan and T₅: Farmers' practice (Golden Delicious or Red Gold)] to top work the Royal Delicious branches in three different directions during the spring season. Top working with pollinizer cultivars Commercial + Black Ban Davis + Spartan (T₄) gave highest average fruit set (30.19%) and yield (13.85 t/ha) followed by T₃. However, minimum fruit set and yield (16.51%, 9.71 t/ha respectively) of Royal Delicious apple were recorded under farmers practice (Control) i.e. Golden Delicious.