Valley develops countrys first scab resistant apples

After more than a decade of hectic efforts and numerous trials,scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture.

After more than a decade of hectic efforts and numerous trials,scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture,Science and Technology SKAUST have developed country8217;s first scab-resistant varieties of apples: Shireen,Akbar,Shalimar I and Shalimar II.

While saplings of the first two varieties are already being grown,Shalimar I amp; II are awaiting approval from the screening committee.

Officials said thousands of apple saplings of the two new varieties have been distributed among the growers across the Valley who had been losing swathes of their orchards to various diseases,particularly scab,even after cumulatively spending more than an estimated Rs 100 crore on pesticides annually.

These indigenous varieties were developed after cross-breeding different varieties of apples. Both Shireen and Akbar have proved successful,8221; said Dr Fayez Ahmad Banday,head,Department of Pamology,SKUAST.

These two varieties were developed in early 2000. We have started extensive distribution of the saplings of these varieties from this season onwards, he said,adding that the new varieties will start yielding fruits in the coming years,

Buoyed by the outcome,we have developed two more varieties,Shalimar I and Shalimar II, he said.

Besides being disease-resistant,the fruits showed good production in the trials, he said,adding that the saplings of the two new varieties will also be distributed among the growers over the next few weeks.

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Pamology,HoD,SKUAST said Shalimar I and Shalimar II will also be released to the growers after a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir8217;s screening committee. All the four varieties are indigenous and were developed after cross breeding of different varieties of the apples for years.

And for the three million people who are directly and indirectly dependent on the fruit,the varieties will come as a blessing. Introduction of new varieties is going to save crores of rupees that growers used to spend on pesticides and fungicides, president,Fruit Growers and Dealers Association,Ghulam Rasool Bhat,said.

However,the saplings are yet to reach the growers.

Four new indigenous varieties have been developed by the agriculture university. But unfortunately,the saplings havent been taken to the growers yet, he said.