It is grown in wide range of soil. However, a well drain slightly acidic about (6.5 – 6.7 pH) , loam soil with good depth(more than 45 cm) is ideal for Apple cultivation. Apple can’t tolerate wet filed and water logging because logging may cause collar rot and death of trees.

Apple is a typical temperate fruit crop requiring 1000-1500 hrs of rest period below 70 C. The average temperature during growing season should be 21 – 24 C. Sunshine is essential for colour development in the fruit. In general a cool climate with low winter temperature and little rainfall in summer is most suitable for Apple cultivation. B

It is one of the most delicious fruits liked by man for its crispness and long storage life. It is high in Vit-C and fibre and low in calories and the pectin they contain will reduce cholesterol level in blood, especially if they are eaten regularly.

Methods of grapting:	Tongue grafting
Time of grafting:	Feb – March
Method of budding:	T-budding
Time of budding:	July-August

A. Planting System :	Square
B. Planting distance :	6m – 7.5 m
C. Planting time :	March

In high density plantation of clonal rootstock, the number of plant / ha may vary from 500 – 1666 / ha with a planting distance of 5 m x 4 m and 3 m x 3m respectively. The budded/grafted plants should be planted in the previously dug pits of 1 m x 1m x 1m size. During planting the prime consideration should be the planting of sufficient pollinizers to ensure effectively pollination. Around 20 – 25 % pollinizer are adequate for getting commercial yield.

Training in Apple tree is done for giving desire shape to the tree during early years. The Apple trained to a modified leader system. The plant is pruned to 90 cm above ground level immediately after planting. In subsequent year, 3- 4 scaffold limbs around the main trunk are developed in different direction. Weak branches and branches with narrow crotch angle should be cut back. Ropes and pegs can be used to make crotch angles wider, to induce early flowering.

Pruning of non-bearing trees: After 3 – 4 scaffold limbs are developed, very light and corrective pruning is done. Thinning id done to space laterals, narrow and criss cross branches are removed. Pruning of bearing trees: Apple bear mostly on spurs, pruning should be done to maintain balance vegetative growth and spur development. Moderate thinning and heading back should also be done. Overcrowding branches should be removed. Cut should be made close to branches leaving no stubbles. Pruning should start from top of tree to downwards. Upward growing branches should be cut back to strong laterals. Remove dead and disease wood. Competing branches should be thinned out. Large cuts should be covered with Bordeaux paste.

Age of tree (Year)	Fertilizer requirement (g/tree)
		Urea	DAP	MOP
1		35	20	50
2		70	45	100
3		105	65	105
4		140	85	200
5		175	110	250
6		245	150	350
7		315	195	450
8		385	235	550
9		455	280	630
10		525	325	730
11		630	385	900
12		735	450	1050
13		840	515	1190
14		940	580	1345
15th year and onwards		1050	645	1500

Note: In mature DAP and MOP should be applied in December,. Urea should be applied in two split doses (1st dose should be applied on 1st forth night before expected bloom. 2nd dose may be applied about 3 weeks after fruit set.)

Dry grass mulching 10 cm thick with prior application of glyphosate (800 ml/ha) is effective for weed control and moisture conservation.

Apple should be harvested at proper picking maturity. Some of the maturity indices are
1. When Apple attain proper size peculiar to variety.
2. The fruit should attain intense skin colour.
3. The most Apple cultivar seed colour should be brown.
4. The calendar date for harvesting a particular cultivar may vary from 5 – 10 days.
5. Bloom days: Each cultivar require specific no. of days from full bloom to maturity. They may vary slightly due to weather condition.
The farmers should rely on their experience. But before starting harvesting, Orchard ladder, trained person, packing material etc. should be kept ready for removing field heat the fruit should be pre-cooled before placing in cold storage

The yield of Apple varies with rootstock, cultivars, soil fertility, weather conditions and orchard management practices. However on an average an Apple tree yield 30-50 Kg fruits/year.