~ 3016 ~ International Journal of Chemical Studies 2019; 7(5): 3016-3018 P-ISSN: 2349–8528 E-ISSN: 2321–4902 IJCS 2019; 7(5): 3016-3018 © 2019 IJCS Received: 14-07-2019 Accepted: 18-08-2019 Mohammed Tauseef Ali Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India Mohammad Saleem Mir Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India GH Rather Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India AB Shikari Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India ZA Bhat Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India FA Khan Division of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India MA Dar Division of Soil Science, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India Corresponding Author Mohammed Tauseef Ali Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India Phenological characteristics of Apple ( Malus × domestica Borkh.) varieties in Kashmir Mohammed Tauseef Ali, Mohammad Saleem Mir, GH Rather, AB Shikari, ZA Bhat, FA Khan and MA Dar Abstract The study was conducted in the Experimental Orchards of Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, carried out over two consecutive years 2017 and 2018. Five varieties were used in the study namely Adam’s Pearmain, Allington Pippin, Baldwin, Baleman’s Cider and Cox’s Orange Pippin. The investigation revealed significant differences in varieties regarding phenological characteristics. The results reveal that Cox’s Orange pippin took maximum number of 22.84 and 27.11 days after reference date (DARD) to reach silver tip and green tip stage, respectively. Whereas, variety Allington Pippin took minimum number of 15.58 and 20.20 DARD to attain silver tip and green tip stage, respectively. Pink bud stage was observed earliest in Baleman’s Cider (28.53 DARD) while latest was recorded in Cox’s Orange pippin (38.97 DARD). Keywords: Apple, varieties, stages, cluster, bloom Introduction Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) is an important temperate fruit crop of the world. In India, apple is commercially cultivated in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh. The proverb “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” addresses the beneficial effects of the fruit on human health. It belongs to the family Rosaceae and Sub-family Pomoidae. The primary centre of origin of apple is considered Asia Minor to Western Himalayas. Jammu and Kashmir have been pioneer in growing temperate fruits because of being endowed with natural advantages of climate, temperature, fertile land and with diversity of agro-climatic conditions, thus having vast scope for horticultural development. The fruit industry is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir State’s economy, especially to Kashmir region with Apple dominating the industry. Under Kashmir region, Apple covers an area of 0.14 million ha with a production of 1.64 million tonnes and productivity of 11.44 MT/ha (Anonymous, 2017) [1] . Despite being the largest apple producing region in the country, the productivity is very less than the horticultural advanced countries (30-62 MT/ha). There are many reasons behind this low productivity but one of the important factors is lack of knowledge and timing of phenological stages in varieties. Bloom synchronization and pollination is an important and inseparable component in respect of regular and consistent production. In a fruit crop like apple, pollination is of utmost significance and its proportion and magnitude is primarily based upon appropriate selection of varieties in orchard. Moreover, various orchard practices like spraying of pesticides, fungicides, growth regulators and foliar nutrients are effective at particular phenological stage. Therefore, the investigation was undertaken for comparative study of phenological characteristics of various apple varieties. Materials and Methods The study was conducted in the Experimental Orchards of Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, carried out over two consecutive years 2017 and 2018. The climate is of Temperate type. Five varieties of uniform age on clonal rootstock were selected for experimentation in orchard. All recommended package of practices for apple cultivation of SKUAST-K were followed as per schedule. The trees were spaced at 4m x 4m distance and regularly weeded. The varieties undertaken for studies included Adam’s Pearmain, Allington Pippin, Baldwin,