Factors Affecting the Production of Stone Fruit (Apricot) in District Mansehra Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Factors Affecting the Production of Stone Fruit (Apricot) in District Mansehra Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Ahmad Abrar Khan* and Muhammad Idrees
ABSTRACT
The present study was conducted to find out the factors affecting the production of apricot in district Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa- Pakistan. Data were collected from 132 respondents belonging to the district Mansehra’s five agriculture circles through a pre-tested interview schedule. Results were obtained through frequency, percentage and multiple regression with a dummy variable model. The majority (46.2%) apricot growers cultivated apricot on 01 kanal of land and major group (31.8%) were getting 51-70 Kg yields per tree. Moreover, 68.9% of apricot growers used chemical fertilizers, and Farm Yard Manure (FYM) application was also in practice by 62.9%. Apricot growers in major cases (59.1%) irrigated their crops in drought periods.In the majority of cases through wells/tube wells followed by canals, while one-third of total cases were only rain water-dependent. Further, more than 50% of the cases aphids, scale and flat-headed borer insect/pest attacks were reported on the apricot crop. Besides scab, brown rot and shot hole were reported by more than 60%, apricot growers.Regarding dormant practices, 65.2% apricot growers pruned their trees, 67.4% applied winter oil and 69.7% Bordeaux mixture while unfortunately,60.6% of the respondents were not doing hoeing practice. The Regression analysis results reported application of chemical fertilizers, FYM, irrigation in drought periods, pruning, winter oil and Bordeaux mixture application were positively and significantly related to apricot production while simultaneously flat-headed borer and brown rot were found inversely but significantly related. The study recommends special attention to improve stone fruit production through increased contacts with agricultural extension and research. Moreover,proper use and availability of chemical fertilizers, FYM and irrigation, and timely use of insecticides/pesticides, healthy hoeing practices with the elimination of weeds.Access to micro-level credit by introducing in farm techniques of intercropping, proper division and allocation of lands suitable to stone fruits, vegetables, grain crops, and other cash crops and relaxation in criteria for the government’s establishment orchard and non-government agriculture departments/agencies.
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June 2021
Vol. 37, Iss. 2, Pages 331-713
