Mahinder Patyal
Bharmaur
As the winter planting season for 2025–26 begins, horticulture experts are advising farmers to purchase apple and other fruit plants only from government nurseries or private nurseries registered with the state.
Dr. Manohar Lal, Subject Specialist (Horticulture), Department of Horticulture, Bharmaur, emphasized that this precaution is essential to prevent the entry of pests and diseases into orchards across districts and the state.
He urged farmers to ensure that the plants they buy are healthy, with a height of more than 3.5 feet and thickness greater than that of a pencil. Special attention must be given to maintaining the correct male-to-female ratio in apple and kiwi plants:
- Apple: Male-to-female ratio should be between 25–33%.
- Kiwi: Male-to-female ratio should be 9:1 or 8:1.
Dr. Lal warned that failing to maintain these ratios could negatively impact productivity.
For planting, farmers are advised to dig pits of one cubic meter and mix 300–500 grams of SSP or mycorrhiza along with 10–15 kilograms of well-decomposed cow dung manure. This will help roots spread easily in the soil and ensure proper establishment of the plants.
