Ans. Application of dormex (9.0% Hydrogen cyanamide) @1.0% in combination with 2.0% horticulture mineral oil (HMO) during the first week of February induces early and uniform flowering in delicious apple trees.

Ans. Rose, Carnation, Gerbera, Eustoma, Alstroemeria, Cymbidium orchid for cut flower production.

Ans. Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Gladiolus, Dehlia, China aster, annual Chrysanthemum etc. for loose flower production

Ans. The right stage of application of HMOs is half inch green tip stage of apple @ 2.0% (4L/200L of water) and during summer at walnut size stage @ 1.0% (2L/200L of water) to control spider mites, scale and aphids. They should not be applied at temperature below 5oC and above 32oC.

Ans. It is a minute eight legged organism with 0.4mm body size, brick red in colour and can be seen with the help of magnifying lens. Adults and nymphs feed on leaves by sucking cell sap and chlorophyll; leaves become dull green and finally bronze in colour. For management of mite infested twigs should be pruned, collected and destroyed to control winter eggs. Spray Horticultural mineral oils (HMOs) @ 4L/200 L of water at half inch green tip stage; second spray of HMOs at walnut size stage @2 L/200L of water. If mite population exceeds 8-10 mites/leaf the following miticides viz. Propargite (Omite), hexithiazox (Maiden) and Propargite 42%+hexythiazox 2% EC(Ceasemite) @ 200ml/200L of water, Fenazaquin(Magister) and Cyenopyrafen 30%SC (Kunoichi)@50ml/200litres, Spiromesifen (Oberon) @60ml/200litres of water, can be used.

Ans. The infected leaves become twisted or puckered with spots on upper surface. On the under surface of leaves the spots are black, circular and velvety and later coalesce to cover the whole leaf surface. Severely affected leaves may turn yellow and drop. Infected fruits may become distorted and may crack, allowing entry of secondary organism. Collect and destroy fallen leaves in winter to reduce primary inoculums. Adopt spray schedule released by Department of Horticulture.

Ans. Infected trees show sparse foliage, slow growth, bronzing and yellowing of leaves and such trees ultimately die. Roots turn brown and remain covered with white cottony mycelia mat of the fungus in rainy season. Improve drainage in the basin area of the tree as well as in the orchard. Give atleast three drenching of fungicide solution at 15-20 days interval during monsoon. Application should be made in 15-25 cm deep holes at a distance of 30cm each throughout the drip area of the tree. Remove infected roots and apply fungicidal paste on the cut ends of the roots during November-December.

Ans. The best time to collect a soil sample from apple orchard is during September or October month after harvest of apple from trees. To collect one composite sample from apple orchard take surface soil samples (0-30 cm depth) from 10-15 treesin a random zig-zag manner. Samples should be collected from tree basins about 1.5-2 feet away from trunk. First remove the litter from the surface by scraping it away, dig a 'V' shaped hole (30 cm) and take out the soil-slice (like bread-slice) of 1/2 inch thickness from one of the exposed surface with the help of a khurpi or a kassi (spade). Mix all the sub soil samples collected on a clean piece of cloth. Level it and divide into four quarters with the help of finger or wooden stick. Discard the soil in the opposite quarters, mix rest of the soil and continue quartering till about 500 gram of representative soil is obtained. Dry the sample in shade and fill in the cloth bag. Label the sample properly and submit to the soil testing laboratory for its analysis.

Ans. Recommended dose of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for apple is as given below: