Influence of Gibberellic Acid and Benzyladenine on Vegetative Growth, Fruiting Behaviour and Fruit Quality of ‘Gale Gala’ Apple Under High‐Density Plantation

This study examined the influence of foliar application of GA 4+7 + BA on vegetative growth,fruiting behaviour and fruit quality of ‘Gale Gala’ apple under high density planting system. The study was carried in the experimental orchard at Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan (HP), India during 2022 and 2023. Eight treatments comprising T 1 (control)‐water spray and GA 4+7 + BA @ 30–210 ppm (T 2 ‐30 ppm, T 3 ‐60 ppm, T 4 ‐90 ppm, T 5 ‐120 ppm, T 6 ‐150 ppm, T 7 ‐180 ppm and T 8 ‐210 ppm) were evaluated. The results revealed that GA 4+7 + BA significantly enhanced vegetative growth, fruit set, fruit retention, yield and fruit quality attributes of ‘Gale Gala’ apple. Among various treatments tested, T 4 (GA 4+7 + BA @ 90 ppm) resulted in maximum trunk diameter, tree volume, fruit size, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity, phenolic content and anthocyanins content. In contrast, 120 ppm (T 5 ) resulted in highest fruit retention, yield, yield efficiency, fruit volume and total sugars content. Fruit firmness and titratable acidity declined with increasing GA 4+7 + BA concentration. Calyx lobe formation was not detected in any treatment during the experimental period. Overall, the foliar application of GA 4+7 + BA @ 90–120 ppm proved to be the most effective treatment in improving productivity and fruit quality of ‘Gale Gala’ apple under high‐density orchard conditions.