G.D Subedi^*1, C.R. Gurung², K.K. Poudel³, R.K. Giri⁴ and Y.R. Gurung

¹Senior Scientist,Horticulture Research Division,Khumaltar,Lalitpur
²Technical Advisor,AgroManang Pvt. Ltd,Bhartang, Manang
³Project Director,KUBK,Butwal,Rupandehi
⁴Scientist,Horticulture Research Station,Rajikot,Jumla
⁵Executive Director,AgroManang Pvt. Ltd.,Bhartang,Manang
 
*Corresponding email:subedigiridharinarc@gmail.com
 

Abstract

High density planting is one of the recent novel concepts of increasing the productivity without altering the quality of fruits.High yield with better fruit quality can be achieved when the orchard has good light distribution throughout the tree canopy and there is a balance between vegetative growth and fruiting.The underlying principle is to make the best use of vertical and horizontal space per unit time and per unit area to exploit maximum possible return per unit of inputs.Basically dwarfing rootstocks(M.9T337),columnar and compact varieties are the first and foremost pre-requisite for establishing high density orchard.High density planting was first commercially pioneered in Europe at the end of 1960’s,now majority of orchards in Europe,America,Australia and New Zealand are grown under this system.Tall Spindle planting system developed in late 1990’s, is the fastest way of shortening juvenility through use of high tree densities,highly feathered trees,minimal pruning up to five years,no permanent scaffold branches, branch angle manipulation and bending of feathers below horizontal at planting.In Nepal, first commercial high density orchard (3333 trees/ha) was established in 2015 by Agro Manang Pvt. Ltd. at Bhartang,Manang.Production data revealed that Golden Delicious was the highest yielder (17.0 mt/ha) followed by Fuji (13.8 mt/ha) while Gala was the lowest one (12.1 mt/ha).Likewise,medium density varietal evaluation block was established in 2011 at HRS,Rajikot,Jumla revealed that Starkrimson Delicious was the top most yielder (11.4 mt/ha) followed by Red Spur (9.9 mt/ha).This result indicates that high returns could be obtained from high density planting system.However, majority of farmers cannot afford the cost of imported saplings (NRs. 1200-1500/sapling),trellis support system,trickle irrigation systems.Most of the apple growers and technicians are unfamiliar with nursery and management techniques for high density orchards.Thus,government should provide international training opportunities to the apple growers and technicians,provide enough subsidies for establishment of high density orchards,develop cost effective and user friendly technology,establish demo plots and centre for excellence of proven technologies for providing technical knowhow to stakeholders and establish tissue culture laboratories for mass multiplication of dwarfing rootstocks.

Keywords:High density planting,dwarfing rootstock,spur,feathered trees,support system