Apple growing picks up with improved varieties

Commercial growing of apple, a major crop in temperate countries, is slowly taking shape in Kenya as improved varieties are unveiled.

Being predominantly a temperate fruit requiring very low temperatures, the apple fruit has for a long time been considered exotic.

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research organisation, through its Horticulture Research Institute, is, however, keen to change the fortunes of the fruit in the country through the introduction of grafted varieties that can do well in areas with warm temperatures like Thika, Yatta and Busia.

However, the major producing counties include Baringo, Kiambu, Meru and Nyandarua

The improved varieties that have been tested in different climatic regions include Fuji, Gala and Breaburn.

Lead fruit researcher Joseph Njuguna, who has been conducting research on the apple varieties, says the results were rewarding.

He says research established that the varieties start bearing after one-and-a-half years, with one tree producing 300-400 fruits per season at full maturity.

Apples attract a handsome price in Kenya of up to Sh50 each since the fruits are largely imported from South Africa and Israel. Demand has continued to significantly grow as people learn more about their health benefits.

Limited local production, coupled with inferior quality of the existing varieties and lack of awareness among farmers on the potential of apple farming, have made consumers to continue relying on expensive imported fruits.

The varieties, according to Njuguna, are high-yielders and produce quality fruits in terms of size, colour and taste, thus, are able to compete effectively with imported fruits.

Planting material of the new varieties are available at Kalro’s horticulture institute in Thika and some few registered private nurseries.

GROWING APPLES

Planting

Apples are planted in holes that are 60cm wide and 60cm deep spaced at 3 by 3m for better growth. In each hole, 30kg of fully decomposed manure is mixed with the top soil and about 125g of single super phosphate fertiliser.

Top-dressing is done six months after planting with 150g of CAN fertiliser to boost growth. It is necessary to avoid shading of the young tree, however, low growing crops like legumes can be planted in between apple plants

Pruning
Formative pruning should be done in the first two to three years to establish the tree structure. The young unbranched nursery seedling is nipped at about 1m from the ground to stimulate side branching below the head.

From the emerging branches, farmer should select three to four strong branches distributed evenly along and around the central leader and at least 15cm apart along the trunk.

The selected branches are tipped off towards the end of the growing season or during the dormant period to stimulate secondary branching.

Breaking of dormancy

This is very important for apples since they go into dormancy in July and August. Farmers are advised to remove all leaves immediately after the cold season (July/August) to break the lateral bud dormancy and to increase blossoming.

Application of a growth regulator known as Dormex aids in dormancy breaking and ensuring uniform flowering.

Fruit thinning

Ensure about two to three evenly spaced fruit per spur to avoid malformation due to crowding of heavy fruit set. Thinning also ensures production of large fruits of uniform colour

Harvesting and storage
The fruit should be handled carefully to avoid bruising them. A small stalk is retained attached to the fruit for ease of handling.

Apples should be stored in a cool, dry and rat-proof place. The fruits can be stored from four to eight months and much longer if in a refrigerated store

Diseases

Apple Scab: This is a fungal disease that attacks leaves and fruits. Symptoms include blackening and necrosis of the leaf margin, which appear as dark irregularly shaped spots scattered on the fruit surface.

This can be controlled by use of copper based fungicides

Powdery Mildew: Attacks the new shoots, leaves and buds and can be controlled by application of sulphur-based fungicide at 10 days interval beginning at pink bud stage.

Leaf spot: This disease attacks leaves and stem and can be controlled by copper-based fungicides.

Pests

Fruit fly: This is a small fly with silvery wings. It attacks the fruits as they approach maturity by puncturing and laying eggs inside when the fruit is ripening leading to rotting. 

The white maggots burrow further into the fruit, feeding on the rotting pulp. Attacked fruits rot and drop prematurely. One way of controlling fruit fly is through field sanitation by burying the affected fruits in a hole at least 1m deep or putting the fruits in a drum of water to suffocate them.  

Other ways include use of pheromone traps, attractants like molasses or sugar mixed with an insecticide

Red spider mites: Minute insects found crawling mainly on the underside of a leaf. They suck plant sap and may cause leaves to wither and die.

Controlled by use of Dynamec, Brigade, Omite or Sulphur chemicals

Codling Moth: Damage to the fruit is caused by the larvae. Upon hatching, they form tunnels particularly in the core area.

Young damaged fruit drop off the tree or become malformed. Fruit at different stages may be attacked by several generations of moth.

This can be controlled by ensuring field sanitation through collecting affected fruits and burying them. 

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Ms Kimani works with Kalro-Thika and is currently a Masters Student in Agricultural Communication at the University of Nairobi.

Rich Fruit

• They are rich in vitamins C, beta-carotene and B-complex as well as minerals such as potassium, phosphorous and calcium.
• Horticultural Crops Directorate notes the area under apples in 2014 increased by 33 per cent while yield and value increased by 93 per cent and 75 per cent respectively compared to the previous year. This saw the fruits fetch Sh26.3 million with a production of 714 tonnes.