Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Regional Horticultural Research Station, Mashobra-171007, (H.P.)
1Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (ICAR), 218, Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun - 248195, Uttarakhand, India.
The field experiment was conducted during 2004 and 2005 at the research farm of Regional Horticultural Research Station, Mashobra, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh to study soil moisture distribution, nutrient content and apple productivity under organic farming technology by using organic manure and FYM. Results revealed that the improvement in soil moisture availability, pH, organic carbon and nutrient status of the soil was significant under organic manure. Growth parameters, fruit characteristics and yield were recorded maximum with application of organic manure @ 5 kg tree−1 (T3) during 2004, T4 (organic manure @ 10 kg tree−1) during 2005 and T2 (Farm Yard Manure @ 100 kg tree−1) during both of years of experimentation while minimum under T1 (without manure - control) during 2004 and 2005. Soil moisture, pH, organic carbon and available N, P and K were recorded maximum under T2 (Farm Yard Manure @ 100 kg tree−1) and T6 (organic manure @ 20 kg tree−1) during 2004 and 2005. Better quality Apple fruits were also recorded under T3 during 2004, T4 during 2005 and T2 during both the years of experimentation.
Apple quality and yield, Organic farming, Organic manures, Soil moisture and nutrient content
