Tree architecture influenced productivity and quality attributes in apple under HDP

The present experiment was conducted to develop efficient tree architecture in apple under high density planting systems. In this trial vertical axis tree and cordon tree architecture were validated first time in India viewing the success in horticultural advanced countries. Maximum annual extension growth (102.34 cm), trunk cross sectional area (23.66 cm(2)), the highest yield per tree (10.92 kg), yield per hectare (84.63 t/ha) and yield efficiency (0.45 kg/cm(2)) were recorded in cultivar Coe Red Fuji under vertical axis tree architecture. Maximum fruit weight was observed in cultivar Coe Red Fuji under cordon tree architecture (167.14 h). The red colour intensity was recorded maximum (a*) (20.16) in cultivar Coe Red Fuji under vertical axis tree architecture, while, maximum yellow colour intensity (b*) (28.44) were found in Granny Smith fruits under same architecture. Cultivar Coe Red Fuji has excelled on the overall vegetative growth, yield and quality attributes under HDP in vertical axis system.