Performance Evaluation of Apple Varieties at Wadla District, Notrh Wollo, Ethiopia

Apple is one of the important fruit crops in the highland areas of Ethiopia. However, its productivity is very low compared to other countries particularly that temperate regions. This is partly attributed to lack of adaptable, high yielding and better quality apple varieties to farmers. To solve this problem apple variety trial was carried out at Wadela District from 2012–2019. The trial was laid out in randomized complete block design with threereplications. Low to medium chill grafted apple seedlings were planted at a spacing of 3.0 m between rows and 3.0 m between plants. Each plot was planted three seedlings. On average irrigation water was applied on 7 days interval. Necessary plant protection and agronomic practices like training and pruning were applied as required.Scion diameter, rootstock diameter, girth ratio, canopy diameter, plant height, mean fruit weight and fruit yield data were collected for two consecutive years. Yield data was collected two times within a year. Anna variety gave significantly highest fruit yield (9.52 t ha-1) followed by Gransmith (8.92 t ha-1). On the other hand, Crispin gave the lowest fruit yield (7.77 t ha-1). Fruit yield obtained by Anna and Gransmith were higher by 23% and 15%, respectively compared to the lowest yielding variety Crispin. Similarly, Anna and Gransmith also gave significantly the highest mean fruit weight of 85.98 and 62.34 g, respectively as compared to variety Crispin which gave a mean fruit weight of 41.01 g. Farmers also select Anna variety by their criteria setted. Therefore, Anna and Gransmith are recommended for producers at Gashena conditions and similar agro-ecologies.