Influence of organic manuring on apple performance and soil properties in temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh

The investigations w as conducted during the years 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 manures (Commercial organic manure and farm yard manure). The results revealed that the improvement in soil moisture availability, pH, organic carbon and nutrient status of soil were significant under organic manures. Growth parameters, fruit characteristics and yield were recorded maximum with application of commercial organic manure @ 20⁻¹ kg tree during 2004–2005 and Farm yard manure @ 100 kg⁻¹ tree during both the years of experimentation. Soil moisture, pH, organic carbon and available N, P and K were recorded maximum under the application of commercial organic manure @ 20 kg⁻¹ tree treatment and Farm yard manure @ 100 kg⁻¹ tree during 2004 and 2005. Better quality apple fruits were also obtained under the application of commercial organic manure @ 20 kg tree⁻¹ and Farm yard manure @ 100 kg tree⁻¹ during both the years of experimentation.