Pollination Deficit: The Hidden Cause of low fruit set in Kashmir’s Apple belt
J ammu & Kashmir is well known for its apple exports as about 57% of the national produce of apples is contributed by the state. It is the 6th largest producer of walnuts (Juglans regia ) in the world and an important producer and exporter of a wide variety of dry fruits. Jammu & Kashmir has been declared as “Agri Exports Zone for Apples and Walnuts”. Apples are a major produce of Jammu & Kashmir. During the last five years production in the state has increased from 1151.7 thousand metric tonnes in FY2006 to 1852 thousand metric tonnes in FY2011 (National Horticulture board, NHB) The apples exported in 2008-09 were priced at Rs 11,721 per ton, it was Rs 11,942 in 2009-10 and Rs 12,692 in 2010- 11; the apples imported carried a price tag of Rs 45,284 per ton in 2008-09, it was Rs 43,946 in 2009-10 and Rs 46,269 in 2010-11. As per Partap, 2011 unpublished data (Ex-V.C. SKUAST) Jammu & Kashm...