Phenological and Pomological Characteristics of Native Apple (Malus domestica Borkh) Cultivars of Trans Himalayan Ladakh India

Tsetan Dolkar; Deepak Kumar; Joginder S. Chandel; Spalzin Angmo; O.P. Chaurasia; Tsering Stobdan

doi:10.14429/dlsj.6.15726

Tsetan Dolkar DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh Ladakh-194101, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3413-8740
Deepak Kumar DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh Ladakh - 194 101, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6411-1055
Joginder S. Chandel Department of Fruit Science, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan- 173 230, India
Spalzin Angmo DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh Ladakh - 194 101, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8033-0813
O.P. Chaurasia DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh Ladakh - 194 101, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2921-2755
Tsering Stobdan Defence Institute of High Altitude Research http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7859-3868

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dlsj.6.15726

Keywords: apple germplasm, Early fruiting, Genetic variability, Native germplasm, Phenology

Abstract

Seven local apple cultivars of the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region were studied for phenological and pomological characteristics. Early and extended flowering was observed. Flowering began 12 days earlier as compared to Royal Delicious, a popular introduced cultivar. The cultivars attained fruit maturity between mid-August to early September, which is one month earlier than Royal Delicious. Apples of the Ladakh region are soft (6.1±1.1 kg cm-2) and small in size (60.1±29.1 g). The unique characteristics observed in apples of the Ladakh region, such as early flowering and early fruit maturity offer an opportunity for exploring the native cultivars for future breeding programs for the development of early maturing cultivars.

Author Biography

Tsering Stobdan, Defence Institute of High Altitude Research

Scientist 'E'

Head, Plant Science Division

Defence Institute of High Altitude Research

Leh Ladakh

Jammu & Kashmir, India