International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

A study to evaluate the apple tall spindle system located in low, mid, and high altitudes of district Kulgam was undertaken during 2022-23 and 2023-24 covering production, quality, and profitability parameters. The highest average yield/ha (kg) in all apple cultivars was observed in the Qaimoh zone. Average A-grade apple/ha were obtained highest in the Manzgam zone in all studied apple cultivars although the same zone resulted in the lowest average yield/ha (kg). The lowest average B-grade apples/ha in case of Red Chief (2994.15kg), Jeromine (3281.89kg), Red Velox (3759.62kg) and Golden Delicious Reinders (9406.47kg) was obtained under high altitude Manzgam zone while as Redlum Gala performed better in terms of least B-grade apple production as compared to other studied cultivars across zones. Similarly, the maximum C-grade apple (kg/ha) resulted in tall spindle system of low altitude Qaimoh zone followed by Kulgam zone and the least quantity in the Manzgam zone. Red Chief laid in TSS located at low altitude zone resulted in maximum fancy-grade apple (2217kg/ha) whereas, highest fancy-grade apple in Redlum Gala (2033.43kg/ha) and Golden Delicious Reinders(1826.48kg/ha) was obtained in Kulgam zone. Manzgam zone outperformed other zones in terms of average fancy-grade/ha in case of Jeromine (3281.89kg/ha) and Red Velox (2227.93kg/ha). The highest gross return/ha was obtained in Manzgam zone (Rs. 2333051.39) followed by Qaimoh zone (Rs. 2236214.50) and the least in case of Kulgam zone (Rs. 1803882.09). Redlum Gala followed a similar trend with the highest in the Manzgam zone (Rs. 3147745.19/ha) and the minimum in the Kulgam zone (Rs. 2183754.57/ha). In case of Red Velox and Golden Delicious Reinders, low altitude of Kulgam proved to be better sites as far as average gross income/ha is concerned. Jeromine cultivated in Manzgam zone outperformed the same cultivar grown in other zones on an average gross returns/ha basis.