Influence of frontline demonstration of plant protection on the yield and quality of apple in dry temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

For the effective transfer of improved agricultural innovation to the farming community, front-line demonstration is the most suitable means. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Lahaul and Spiti II at Tabo, Himachal pradesh have conducted a front line demonstration as plant protection technologies and management practices in the farmers’ apple orchard under cold desert region during 2019-20 to 2021-22, in all 30 demonstrations on the management of woolly apple aphid in apple. With the timely application of plant protection measures, the apple fruit yield was 13.78% higher than that of farmers (295 q/ha). Thus, the average technology gap, extension gap, and technology index of 64.33 q/ha, 40.67 q/ha and 16.08 percent, respectively were obtained between demonstration and farmer practices.