Climate and Soil Requirements:

Apple is particularly a fruit of cold-temperate climate. It usually grows on latitudes between 30 and 50 degrees in the world. High luminescence provides so good a colour formation on apple and increases its market value.

An apple tree is resistant to severe winters in which temperatures are low. During winter dormancy, trunks withstand temperatures of –35, –40°C; blooming blossoms –2.2, –2.3°C and small fruits –1.1, –2.2°C. Apple does not like temperature fluctuations occurring during winter months. Sudden temperature drops after warm weather in winter cause winter damaging in apple. There are differences between varieties in terms of withstanding low temperatures.

Among fruit varieties, apple is the one which needs winter dormancy most. In general, the sum of hours elapsing below 7°C is considered to be a measure in the completion of winter dormancy of fruit varieties. Some of the blossoms die as a result of insufficient cooling, and blooming of the dormancy of the blossoms occurs later and more irregular than normal. Thus, late blooming blossoms usually fall due to insufficient pollination. No leaf eyes shoot out on apple trees that have failed to overcome cooling and the tree remains bare. In this case, danger of sun blight increases. Apple does not like high summer temperatures. In cases where temperature rises above normal, growth on trees slows down and then completely stops; fruit falls increase and fruit quality deteriorates. In places where temperature is too high, fruit blight is also observed. In general, growth stops when temperature rises above 40°C; and damages start to be seen at higher temperatures.

While some varieties are selective, apple usually gives successful results in several soil types. The structure of the subsoil in the place where the orchard is to be established is more important than the type and quality of the soil surface. Subsoil must be drained in a way in which the plant roots shall not ever remain in water and which will facilitate the spreading of the roots. Hard subsoil which retains water hinders growth and has an adverse impact on the growth and life of the tree. And subsoil which is too loose and too permeable is not desired as it will not retain any water.

Before establishing an apple orchard, soil should be analysed and no orchards should be established on land where there is a problem of lime and salinity and where the level of groundwater is high and soil thickness is low.