I want to convert my old seedling apple orchard to high density. Which dwarfing rootstock should I use, how many plants per acre, and which varieties and pollinizers should I plant together?
High-density apple in the Indian hills is built on clonal dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks such as the M9 and MM106 series, with M9 and its sub-clones being the popular choice for true high density on a trellis. Typical spacing ranges from about 3 to 3.5 metres between rows and 1 to 1.5 metres in the row, giving roughly 1,000 or more plants per acre depending on the system, versus only about 80 to 100 in old seedling orchards. You plant feathered (well-branched) one-year nursery plants on a support and trellis system, trained to a tall spindle. Use spur-type or improved coloured strains and always include compatible pollinizer varieties or crabapple pollinizers at the right ratio, because apple needs cross-pollination, and ensure bee activity. High density brings much earlier bearing (often from year 3 to 4) and far higher per-acre yield, but it needs trellis, drip and fertigation, disciplined pruning and good chilling hours. Plan rootstock and variety with your state horticulture department for your altitude.
M9 on trellis started bearing in the 3rd year for me, much faster than my old trees. But the trellis and irrigation cost is high upfront, plan your budget.
Do not forget pollinizers. My early HD block had poor set till I interplanted enough pollinizer trees and kept bee boxes at bloom.
Get free daily mandi prices, MSP changes, scheme cut-offs and weather alerts - and your own Kisan ID.
Today's rates, MSP moves, scheme deadlines and weather - the moment they matter.
Join Bharat Annadata Sangh free - get a digital farmer ID card and free answers from our Krishi Team.
100% free · No spam · Prices from Agmarknet · Unsubscribe anytime
