Performance of some newly introduced apple cultivars under high altitude cold arid conditions of Ladakh

Apple is the most important temperate fruit crop of India. It is generally cultivated in middle Himalayan regions of India. However, studies on introduction and evaluation of high yielding cultivars of apple at Field Research Laboratory (DRDO)-Leh Ladakh has opened up the new avenues for their commercial cultivation in cold arid high altitude zones having an elevation of 14000 ft above MSL. Findings of the study on 12 type of Delicious and spur types cultivars have shown promising results. Quality apples having attractive colours, standard grade size and crispy taste can be produced from such areas which may be harvested in the end of September to mid October months.