Production and assortment of apple in Serbia

Apple is a temperate fruit from the Rosacea family. It is of great importance in fruit growing in the world, considering that it is the second fruit tree in terms of volume of production. In developed countries, apple production is at a high technological level, so the volume of production does not change or even increases, regardless of the reduction of the area under this fruit species. Intensifi cation of production is achieved primarily by increasing the number of trees per unit area and, accordingly, by reducing the dimensions of the crown. With the introduction of low-growing rootstocks and small-sized cultivation forms, apple production experienced a major transformation in the world, but also in Serbia. The volume of production and the area under apples in Serbia are constantly increasing. One of the reasons is the good agro-ecological conditions that prevail in Serbia, as well as the apple's adaptability, especially its relative resistance to low temperatures and spring frosts. Planting material for high-intensity apple plantations includes seedlings with premature twigs, so-called "Knip" seedlings, which produce the fi rst crop already in the year of planting, and can produce a full crop in the fourth year. In order to make the most of the potential of these seedlings, and to secure investments, the standard technology of raising seedlings implies the use of anti-hail nets and irrigation systems from the moment of planting. Also, care is taken of proper soil maintenance, fertilization, and quality and regular fertility are ensured by the use of bioregulators. Today, the leading apple varieties in Serbia are the same as in the leading apple-producing countries, while the M 9 substrate is almost the only one used in modern dense plantings. The apple is currently the leading fruit species in Serbia for the production of fresh fruit, and this position will not change for a long time.