The present investigation entitled ‘‘Effect of different doses and timings of fertigation on vegetative growth of high density apple cultivars Mitch Gala and Red Chief Camspur’’ was carried out on two apple varieties viz., Mitch Gala and Red Chief Camspur (4 year old) on M9T337 rootstock at a spacing of 1 × 3m (3333 plants ha-1) at the experimental field of Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar during the year 2020 and 2021. The said experiment was conducted to determine the optimum dose of fertilizers through fertigation as well as to study the effects of different doses and timings of NPK fertigation on vegetative growth parameters of apple under high density orcharding system. Twenty-six different treatments were given, which comprised of three different fertilizer doses (D1- 125%, D2- 100% and D3- 75% RDF through fertigation) applied at four different time intervals (7, 14, 21 and 28 days interval) replicated in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) starting from Mid-April to July. The different doses and timings of fertigation had shown significant effect on growth parameters of both the apple cultivars. A comparison of data on overall vegetative growth reveals that fertigation with 125% RDF at 7 days interval increased the plant height, plant girth, TCSA and plant spread which was statistically at par with 100% RDF at 7 days interval. Therefore, applying nutrients to apple plants with 100% RDF through fertigation at 7 days interval may be considered as the best possible levels of fertigation for improving vegetative growth characters of apple under high density orcharding system.

Apple, Mitch Gala, Red Chief Camspur, high density, fertigation, vegetative growth

This two years study shows positive effects of different doses and timings of NPK fertigation on enhancing vegetative growth characters of apple cvs. Mitch Gala and Red Chief Camspur. Fertigation with 125% RDF at 7 days interval gave the highest plant height, girth, TCSA and plant spread in both the varieties Mitch Gala and Red Chief Camspur under high density planting conditions which is statistically at par with 100% RDF through fertigation at 7 days interval and 125% RDF at 14 days interval. Thus 100% RDF through fertigation at 7 days interval can be recommended for growing apples under high density conditions of Kashmir. Further research on the use of sensors in fertigation is required in order to fully develop the scientific basis for recommending fertigation to local growers thus adding helping hand to their income.

Insha Majid, A.H. Pandit, M.A. Mir, Fouzea Nisar, Azra Lateef, Shabnam Ahad, Shaila Din, J.A. Wani, and B.A. Padder (2022). Effect of different Doses and Timings of Fertigation on Vegetative Growth of High Density Apple Cultivars Mitch Gala and Red Chief Camspur. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 174-179.