Heavy fruit load, poor thinning weigh on Kashmir apple’s market value

Shopian, Aug 2: Apple growers in south Kashmir are grappling with an all-too-familiar challenge this harvest season as inadequate thinning in orchards has led to smaller fruit sizes, lower quality and reduced market returns despite expectations of a good crop. The problem is particularly pronounced in high-density apple plantations, where heavy fruiting without proper thinning has resulted in overcrowded fruit clusters, preventing apples from attaining the size and quality demanded in the market