ABSTRACT
Apple trees on seedling rootstocks are planted at wider spacing resulting in low plant density per unit area and less sunlight penetration inside the canopy of the mature tree. Hence productivity remains around 6 to 10 MT/ha which is significantly lower than the productivity of high density orchards having 40 to 60 MT/ha or more. In addition to increasing production, high density apple farming improves the quality of produce. This high density plantation technology aids in maximizing the use of land and other resources, facilitating orchard interculture operations, providing better management of diseases and pests and ultimately collecting high quality produce for export. High density apple orchards have revolutionized apple farming around the world as these orchards provide early fruit bearing with sustained quality production. This production system possesses a high scope for mechanization. In this globalization era, every apple producing region has to compete in the market through quality production of apples, and this is possible through shifting to high density plantation technology.
