Using fruit plants as ornamentals: An innovative practice for beautification and monetary benefits

Apple is the major fruit crop of temperate Kashmir valley and has improved the socioeconomic condition of the farmers to a great extent. People, however, spare portion of productive land for lawns and use ornamental plants other than fruits. An innovative way to use fruit plantation for ornamentation was tested, so that the objective of beautification is achieved while getting returns from horticultural crops. Different fruit plants were added to the garden for diversity and beautification. In addition to these fruit plants some ornamentals were also recommended for further beautification. The plot was leveled and beds of different designs were made around the apple trees, which were kept free from weeds through mulching and intercultural operations. Fertilizers were applied as per the recommendations of SKAUST-Kashmir. Addition of variety of fruit plants created diversity, flowering were observed at different stages and ripen fruits were available throughout the season. Fruit plantation served two purposes i.e. ornamentation and monetary returns. The quality of the fruits over farmers’ practice was also improved. Cost of cultivation was higher in the demonstration, while gross returns (Rs.47,287/Kanal) and net returns (Rs. 32,052/- kanal) were also higher in the same. Increases in the income was to the tune of 26 per cent over the farmer's practice.