EFFECT OF PROPAGATION METHOD AND TIME ON VEGETATIVE TRAITS AND SURVIVAL PERCENTAGE OF APPLE CV. ANNA

摘要

Apple is the principal fruit crop of Uttarakhand. Although the area expansion under apple cultivation has increased manifold in Uttarakhand but still there is sufficient scope for further extension in area and productivity (Gautam et al., 2005). In this context, area for cultivation of low chilling cultivars in subtropical regions has to be increased. Apple cv. Anna is a low chilling, very popular cultivar in valley and foothills of Uttarakhand. It needs no pollinators and is a heavy bearer. It do not come true to type when propagated through seeds and as such, the only means of propagation is by vegetative means. Vegetative propagation employs grafting on seedlings and clonal rootstocks raising on the own roots by cuttings. Generally the apple trees are being raised on Mailing Merton series of rootstocks but because of less availability in valley areas there is a scope of using BA-29 rootstock for fast multiplication. BA-29 is a clonal selection of quince and hence, it is easy to maintain as clones. It is much smaller and gives higher yield. It also matures little earlier than seedling rootstock and flourishes very well in subtropical areas. Basically it was used as rootstock for pear but it was successfully used as rootstock for apple cv. Anna.The present investigation was carried out to work out the method and time of grafting of apple cv. Anna on BA-29 rootstock and the rate of success under agro-climatic conditions of Doon Valley.