Indian scientists search for the perfect apple

India is known for producing a large quantity of apples, especially in the northern regions such as Jammu and Kashmir. However, growing apples in other parts of India, particularly in the hotter southern areas, has been a significant challenge due to the subtropical climate. One farmer, Kakasaheb Sawant, decided to take a risk in 2022 by planting apple trees in Maharashtra, a region where temperatures can soar up to 43 degrees Celsius. Many of his neighbors thought he was making a mistake, but Kakasaheb was determined. He planted 100 saplings, and 80 of them survived the harsh conditions. Last year, each tree produced between 30 and 40 kilograms of apples, which attracted visitors from distant places who were curious to see apples growing in such an unusual climate. Despite this success, the apples were not sweet enough to sell widely. Nevertheless, Kakasaheb remains optimistic, believing that as the trees acclimatize over the next four to five years, they will begin to produce sweeter, more marketable fruit. He has also started selling saplings to other farmers, hoping to expand apple cultivation in warmer areas.

India's demand for apples is growing rapidly. Over the past five years, apple production has increased by 15 percent, reaching 2. 5 million tonnes. However, this increase has not been enough to satisfy the rising demand, leading to a doubling of apple imports to around 600,000 tonnes. Experts like S Chandrashekhar, who studies India's apple trade, point out that there are few new farmers entering the apple-growing business and a lack of investment in the industry. A critical factor for successful apple cultivation is a long period of cold weather, with temperatures between 0 and 6 degrees Celsius. Countries like the UK have about 1,000 hours of such chilling time, allowing them to grow almost any apple variety. In India, only limited areas in the north, such as Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, have these conditions. Unfortunately, many orchards in these regions are aging and producing fewer apples, partly due to climate change, which is making the weather less favorable for apple farming.

To address these challenges, scientists and farmers are experimenting with low-chill apple varieties that require fewer hours of cold weather, around 400 hours between 0 and 6 degrees Celsius. Researchers at Birsa Agricultural University in Ranchi, a city in eastern India with a subtropical climate, are testing 18 saplings of three such varieties. So far, only one variety has produced fruit, yielding about one to two kilograms of apples in 2024. While the quality is not yet ideal, the apples were edible. Researchers note that the local soil is not perfect for apple trees, and pests like termites pose additional problems. It will take several more years of study to determine if these low-chill varieties can be successfully grown in warmer regions. Some local farmers have also tried growing these varieties but with limited success. Some experts remain skeptical about the commercial viability of apples grown in non-traditional, warmer regions, citing issues like short shelf life and less sweet fruit. However, research continues, especially in traditional apple-growing areas like Himachal Pradesh, where scientists are developing climate-resilient apple varieties that can withstand changing weather patterns. One such variety ripens two months earlier than usual, helping farmers cope with erratic weather and improving fruit quality. Experts believe this research is just the beginning of efforts to create apples that can thrive in India's diverse climates and satisfy local tastes. Meanwhile, industry experts emphasize the need for significant investment to replant aging orchards and develop related businesses like apple juice and jam production to support apple farmers and boost the apple economy in India.