Apples

Apple (Pyrys malus Linn) is cultivated in the temperate region of western Asia, between Black sea and Caspian sea. Apple is a symbol of health, beauty and love. This fruit has universal cultivation and worldwide consumption in many forms. In Pakistan, various forms of apple showing great diversity in size, shape, colour and taste are grown from the time immemorial, particularly at high elevations (About 1300 m) in the areas adjoining Afghanistan, Iran and China. Most of the developed varieties have been introduced during the British period.

The cultivated varieties of apples presently grown in Pakistan have been given the name as Pyrus malus Linn. These are grafted on the rootstock Pyrus baccata (Crab apple).

Apple is a very nutritious, aromatic and delicious fruit. It is very rich in Vitamin C, B and A. It contains about 11% sugar besides essential minerals in appreciable amounts. It has colour appeal, appetite and is most refreshing. It can be used in many different ways. It is cooked, made into preserves, Jellies, candied, canned, prepared as fresh apple juice, made into cider or vinegar. The peel is used for making pectin.

Pakistan is an agricultural country and Pakistan is exporting its agricultural products all around the World. Most of the commercially grown apple cultivars in Pakistan require a cooler climate than all other fruits. Apple thrives and fruits best under a relatively cool slow growing season, usually met with at higher altitudes. Therefore, proper selection of varieties is of major importance.  Varieties grown under such conditions are Amri, Kashmiri Amri, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Sky spur, Banki, Kulu etc.  Low chilling varieties such as Anna, Summer Gold and Golden Dorset have been identified giving encouraging results and hence can successfully be grown in lower elevations.