Giri Dhari Subedi, Raj Kumar Giri, ARS (Hort), Rajiot, Jumla
Dr. Krishna Prasad paudyal, HRD, Khumaltar, Lalitpur
Prof. Dr. Durga Mani Gautam, Dr. Dilli Ram Baral, Prof. Dr. Gopal K.C.
IAAS, Rampur, Chitwan
Abstract
Experiments were conducted at ARS, Jumla for two consecutive years (2011-2012) to identify appropriate apple varieties for Karnali region of Nepal. Ten varieties from HRS, Solon and RHRS, Mashobra; and fifteen from Canada were collected and planted in RCBD with 7 and 3-4 replications respectively. Preliminary characterization of Indian apple indicates that earlier bud swelling (3rd April) was observed in Starkimson Delicious and Red Spur whereas late in Stark Spur Gold (14th April). Earlier bud breaking (8th April) was observed in Well Spur, Red Spur and Red Chief-22 whereas late in Stark Spur Gold (21th April). Earlier defoliation (18th Nov) was observed in Well Spur whereas late in Oregon Spur 22 (30th Nov). The thickest steam diameter was observed in Red Gold (26mm) whereas the thinnest in Red Chief-22 (14 mm). The tallest plants were observed in Starkimson Delicious (1.14m) whereas the dwarfest in Star Spur Gold (0.68 m). More branches were developed in Red Chief-21 and Starkimson Delicius (3.4) whereas the least in Oregon Spur-22 and Red Chief-22 (2.4). The highest canopy volume was observed in Red Chief-21 (0.97 m3) whereas the lowest in Red Chief-22 (0.12 m3). Earlier bud swelling (2nd April) in Canadian varieties was observed in Ambrosia and Redfree whereas late in Jim and Gala (8th April). Earlier bud breaking (6th April) was observed in Ambrosia and Redfree whereas late in Jim and Robinate (12th April). Earlier defoliation (18th Nov) was observed in Ambrosia whereas late in Jonagold and Sinta (28th Nov). The tallest plants (1.64 m) was observed in Pristine whereas the dwarfest in Honey Crisp (0.41 m). The thickest stem (11 mm) was observed in Red gravestein whereas the thinnest in Honey Crisp and Zerstar (4 mm). Varietal selection through phonological characterization and evaluation is a long term task, thus needs to be continued for several years to achieve desired outputs.
Keywords: Malus domestica Borkh, germplasm, variety, spur, standard, phenology, characterization, in situ evaluation and descriptors.