Protective measures of apple fruit growth

Apple Fruit should be harvested at proper picking maturity. Picking time depends upon the degree of maturity which in turn depends upon the keeping quality of the fruit. Apples picked at immature stage result in poor quality and flavour, tend to shrivel and are subject to physiological disorders such as scald, bitter pit, soft and brown core. Fruits do not mature evenly on the tree; therefore, more than one picking are required. Avoid bruising and stem punctures. Picking should start from lower branches of a tree advancing towards the top. After picking, apples should be put under cover in the coolest and well ventilated place. 

Apples may be packed in wooden crate, card board boxes, and cartons or in film bags. Before packing, the fruit should be graded according to size and exterior quality of the apple. Length of the post harvest life during storage depends on the stage of maturation at harvest time, the length of the fruit remains at ordinary storage temperature and at cold temperature, season of picking and the variety itself. Following types of insects and diseases attack the apple fruit:

1. Apple Tree Borer (Apriona cinerea)
2. Sanjose Scale (Aspidiotus pernicious)
3. Wholly Apids. (Eriosoma ganigerum)
4. Powdery Mildew
5. Apple Scab

In Apple Tree Borer (Apriona cinerea), Larva of the beetle is limiting factor in the production Codling  Moth of apples in Swat and Azad Kashmir. After hactching the grubs start boring into the shoots from the top and make long galleries downward which reach the main stem in big trees and root portion of the young tree. To control this disease, Phosphatic insecticides are put in the hole which kill the larvae.

In Sanjose Scale (Aspidiotus pernicious), this pest attacks pome and stone fruits and nuts. They suck cell sap and passes winter as nymphal stage. The infected plant turns pale and flowers are shed. After fruit formation spray Lorsban is applied to control this disease.

In case of Powdery Mildew the newly emerged leaves and fruits have black irregular spots. The infected fruit looks ugly and     remains stunted and rot in the storage. To control this disease, spray should be applied before bud break Dithene M-45, Captan, Topsin-M etc.

In Wholly Apids (Eriosoma ganigerum), white wool is seen on the twigs. The pest  suck the cell scap. Infected part of the plant is dried. It remains active during summer. Lorsban or Karate should be sprayed to control this disease.

In case of Powdery Mildew Codling Moth, the fruit is borer and is very destructive. The adult lay eggs on the calyx end of the fruit. Larvae enter the fruit and eat the flesh. After feeding it fall to the ground. Following measures may be taken to control this disease:

1. Tarcol bands are made on the trunk to prevent larvae crawling to the tree.

2. Remove old bark

3. Spray Lorsban at small fruits

4. Distruction of larvae and pupae from the soil and around trees. 

Apple Scab it is a fungal disease and appears on new leaves and fruits in form of white powdery deposits which hinders normal photosynthesis process. The infected leaves turn pale, twisted and fruit stops growth. Following measures may be taken to control this disease:

1. Spray fungicide like Benlate, Dithene M-45, Topsin-M etc. at dorment stage or at bud break.

2. Another spray at the petal fall stage is needed.