India: Cold-climate farm trial peach

An experiment in growing fruit in cold climatic regions, including apples, peaches, peers, plums, kiwis and kinnus, is showing good results at Mainpat in Surguja region. Scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) have succeeded in reaping these fruit varieties. These fruit from cold regions are grown in seven acres of land at Mainpat and KVK scientists have fetched grafted saplings from Himachal Pradesh.

Talking to TOI, Mainpat KVK horticulture scientist Dr P C Chaurasia said, "Soil and climatic conditions of Mainpat are cold and suitable for growing fruit like apples, litchis, kiwis and other hilly fruit varieties. These saplings are grafted, which is a horticultural technique used to join parts from two or more plants so they appear to grow as a single plant."

Last year, 200 apple saplings were grown on two acres and are now yielding fruit, which are sweet in taste and robust in growth, he said.

Scientists have also cultivated kiwi plants here. Despite not producing any fruit, plants have adapted to soil and climate hence, showing healthy growth of leaves and stem. Scientists are expecting to harvest kiwi fruit next year. For now, KVK scientists are rejoicing after seeing fruiting of plums, grapes, peaches, litchis, peaches and mangoes in their experimental farm. Scientists said that fruit are not supposed to give yield during first three years but here, fruiting of apples was taken in first year to get result of growing cold region fruit on experimental basis. Hence apple, grapes and other fruit have shown healthy growth with sweet taste.

Source timesofindia.com