Commercial Cultivation of Malus Domestica and its Disease Management in Kashmir Valley

Abstract

Apple (Malus Domestica) are most widely planted and are commercially most significant and economically important fruit crop in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It accounts for about 49 per cent of total area of 1.64 lac hectares under all temperate fruits grown in this UT. Different varieties of Malus Domestica are grown in Kashmir valley viz., Golden Delicious (Late Season), Lal Ambri, Mollies Delicious, Starkrimson, Red June, Irish Peach, Benoni and Tydeman’s Early. The annual apple production in the state is 18.82 lac M. tons (2018-19). Apple is an extremely important source of nutritive diet, this provides a major source of income and employment in Jammu and Kashmir. Diseases and pests are one of the limiting factors for low productivity of the fruit crops in Kashmir valley.