Title : Assessment of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) production, cultivar diversity, and dormancy management in the Gamo highlands of southern Ethiopia
Abstract:
Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) is an important temperate fruit crop valued for both its economic and nutritional contributions. The history of apple production in Ethiopia find its roots in the Southern Region, in Chencha district of Gamo Gofa Administrative Zone, through SIM missionaries in 1950s. Since then, apple cultivation has been practiced in highland areas with favourable high-altitude climate. Despite its early introduction, apple production remained limited, largely confined to a few cultivars and characterized by low productivity. Knowledge on apple production and dormancy management practices in the Gamo highlands is still insufficient. To address the gap a preliminary survey study was conducted during the 2024/25 cropping season in Chencha, Bonke, and Dita districts. Using purposive and systemic random sampling, 185 households from eleven administrative kebeles were selected. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and secondary source document reviews. The survey identified a total of 34 apple cultivars in farmers’ fields, with approximately eleven (BR, Crispin, Grany smith, Jonagored, Jonagold, Anna, Golden delicious, Red delicious, Royal gala, Gala must and Yataka) being the most widely cultivated. Growers predominantly engaged in grafting and rootstock raising during December and July, respectively. Dormancy break in October, while flowering was most pronounced in November. Most respondents showed a minor adoption of different management techniques during dormancy period. Due to suboptimal management practices, apple yields ranged from 5.1 to 9.6 tons per hectare, which is substantially lower than yields achieved under optimal conditions elsewhere. The study recommends both phenotypic and molecular characterization of the apple cultivars present and demonstrate different cultivars and treatments to identify best apple cultivars for the agroecological condition of Gamo highlands.
Keywords: Apple, Cultivars, Dormancy, Management practices, Productivity
