Effect of planting densities and varieties on yield and yield associated characters of apple (Malus × dometica) on semi-dwarfing rootstock

Four apple (Malus × domestica Borkh) varieties (Starkrimson, Cooper IV, Red Chief, and Mollies Delicious) were planted at 3 planting densities (1600, 1142 and 952 plants / ha) on semi-dwarf rootstock during 2002-03 and data on yield and growth were recorded after 7 years. Results indicated that maximum mean trunk cross sectional area was registered in Mollies Delicious at all the densities (103.79, 92.61 and 77.06 cm2) and lowest (67.01, 75.65 and 80.33 cm2) in Cooper IV. Largest sized fruit (177.80 g/ fruit) recorded in the S3 (952 tree/ha) and minimum (160.73 g/ fruit) in S1 density (1600 tree/ha). Maximum mean yield and yield efficiency were recorded in Starkrimson and Red Chief and minimum yield and yield efficiency in Cooper IV. Density has a detrimental effect on yield efficiency, it was maximum (0.48 kg/cm2) in S3 and minimum (0.21 cm2) in S1 density. The fruit weight increases with decrease in plant density, fruit size has negative correlation with number of fruit tree. Positive correlation was obtained between yield and yield efficiency (0.999) and planting densities with yield efficiency (0.691).