AP APPLE

Many of us have heard the saying `An apple a day keeps the doctor away`.

The apple is crisp and light tasting.

Apple has a plainly delivered and easily palatable taste.

Apples have a good claim to promote health.

Apple fruit is an excellent source of antioxidant flavonoids, phytochemicals, polyphenolic compounds that can get rid of free radicals which damage body tissue and lead to heart disease, strokes and cancer. Some strong antioxidants found in apple fruit are quercetin, catechin, phloridzin, chlorogenic acid, and vitamin C. There are significant amounts of vitamin C in the apple skin. According to research, although the amount of vitamin C in 100 g of apples is only about 5.7 mg, the total antioxidant activity of 100gr of whole apple fruit (with the apple peel) was found to be equivalent to the antioxidant effect of about 1500 mg of vitamin C.

Apple also contains vitamin B-6, vitamin E, vitamin A, pantothenic acid, niacin, folic acid. About minerals, Apple fruit has also magnesium and potassium, two of the important minerals necessary for a healthy heart. Apple also contains galacturonic acid, which lowers the body's need for insulin. This may help diabetics treat their diabetes disease. Apple fruit is also a good source of dietary fiber. They contain Vitamin C, which aids the immune system, and phenols, which reduce cholesterol. They also reduce tooth decay by cleaning one's teeth and killing off bacteria. It has also been suggested by Cornell University researchers that the quercetin found in apples protects brain cells against neuro-degenerative disorders like Alzheimer's Disease. Approximately 81 calories in one medium apple fruit.

Apples grow on small, deciduous trees. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus sieversii, is still found today. Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe, and were brought to North America by European colonists. Apples have been present in the mythology and religions of many cultures, including Norse, Greek and Christian traditions. Apple (Malus pumila) is commercially the most important temperate fruit and is fourth among the most widely produced fruits in the world after banana, orange and grape. China is the largest apple producing country in the world. Apples originated in the Middle East more than 4000 years ago. Spreading across Europe to France, the fruit arrived in England at around the time of the Norman conquest in 1066.

Cultivative Conditions

The apple forms a tree that is small and deciduous, generally standing 6 to 15 feet (1.8 to 4.6 m) tall in cultivation and up to 30 feet (9.1 m) in the wild. The skin of ripe apples is generally red, yellow, green or pink, although many bi- or tri-colored varieties may be found.

Different cultivars are available for temperate and subtropical climates. The apple-growing areas in India do not fall in the temperate zone of the world but the prevailing temperate climate of the region is primarily due to snow covered Himalayan ranges and high altitude which helps meet the chilling requirement during winter season extending from mid-December to mid-March.The agro climatic conditions in these states are not as conducive as in north-western Himalayan region. Early and continuous rains from April onwards do not favour the production of quality fruits besides resulting in high incidence of diseases.

Dry temperate areas suitable for apple cultivation in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are most suitable for production of high-quality fruits having intense colour development, high sugar content and longer shelf-life. Apple can be grown at altitudes 1,500-2,700 m. above m.s.l. in the Himalayan range which experience 1,000-1,500 hours of chilling (the no. of hours during which temperature remains at or below 70 C during the winter season). The temperature during the growing season is around 21-240 C. For optimum growth and fruiting, apple trees need 100-125 cm. of annual rainfall, evenly distributed during the growing season. Excessive rains and fog near the fruit maturity period result in poor fruit quality with improper colour development and fungal spots on its surface. Areas exposed to high velocity of winds are not desirable for apple cultivation. Loamy soils, rich in organic matter with pH 5.5 to 6.5 and having proper drainage and aeration are suitable for cultivation.

Is there any chance in A.P?

Certainly Yes, scientists said. They referred Andhra Kashmir Lambasingi village for Apple crop. The village and the surrounding area looks pleasant sleeping under the blanked of fog. Lambasingi is a special place in Andhra Pradesh as the temperature fall below zero degrees centigrade frequently. Lambasingi also has special geographical features. It is a Gram Panchayat that is located between Chintapally and Narsipatnam. The buses that go towards Chintapally from Narsipatnam has to cross Lambasingi. Vehicle drivers have to switch on the lights of their vehicles, as the village is covered by fog even during afternoons. Lambasingi is situated at a height of 3,600 feet from sea level. It has valleys on either sides and so the temperatures at this village are always very low. Sometimes during winter the minimum temperature recorded here is -1.5 degrees. In summer maximum temperature in the afternoon will be not more than 24 degrees. The village is also called Korrubayalu. Korru in local language means to become stiff. Here, all these conditions given eligibility to Lambasingi for Apple cultivation. Some scientific researches are still going on there. Horticulture department also hoped that about apple production in the state. So, In near future Andhra Pradesh also having the stature of apple productivity states in India. Now the most important temperate fruit of the northwestern Himalayan region in India. It is predominantly grown in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, accounting for about 90% of the total production. Its cultivation has also been extended to Sikkimm and Meghalaya in north-eastern region and Nilgiri hills in Tamil Nadu. Arunachal Pradesh is one of the ideal locations for apple cultivation. If high yielding varieties of apple are introduced in the state.

About 69 million tonnes of apples were grown worldwide in 2010, and China produced almost half of this total. The United States is the second-leading producer, with more than 6% of world production. Turkey is third, followed by Italy, India and Poland. Apples are often eaten raw, but can also be found in many prepared foods (especially desserts) and drinks. Many beneficial health effects are thought to result from eating apples; however, two forms of allergies are seen to various proteins found in the fruit.