Crop details

Apple (tufaha)

Malus domestica

Family: Rosaceae

Quick stats

Family	Rosaceae
Typical harvest	22.7 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	6
Seasons	0

Crop profile

Growth habit	tree
Days to harvest	365
Main uses	Fresh fruit eaten as a snack, in salads, juices and desserts; also used for drying and processing.
Pollination	insect
Origin / where it grows	Apple (tufaha) is grown in cool highland and upper mid-altitude areas in East Africa where nights are cool and days are mild.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	12–24 °C
Rainfall	800–1200 mm/yr
Altitude	1500–2800 m
Best pH	6–6.8
Soil type	Deep, well-drained loam or sandy loam with plenty of organic matter. Apple (tufaha) prefers cool, moist but well-aerated soils.
Row spacing	400 cm
Plant spacing	400 cm
Seed rate	kg/ha (check local recommendation)
Nursery days	365

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop has a growth habit described as "tree". You can normally start harvesting about 365 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for fresh fruit eaten as a snack, in salads, juices and desserts; also used for drying and processing..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Apple (tufaha) is grown in cool highland and upper mid-altitude areas in East Africa where nights are cool and days are mild. It is grouped under: Fruits & Nuts.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 12 and 24 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 800 to 1200 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2800 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 6.8. It does well in deep, well-drained loam or sandy loam with plenty of organic matter. apple (tufaha) prefers cool, moist but well-aerated soils.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 400 centimetres apart, and leave about 400 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Seed or planting material: Use good quality seed or healthy planting material. Follow local extension advice for the exact amount per hectare.

Nursery period: If you raise seedlings in a nursery, keep them there for about 365 days before transplanting to the main field, when they are strong and healthy.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Plant Apple (tufaha) at the start of the rains while trees are still resting. Dig wide, deep holes, mix topsoil with manure and some P fertilizer, and plant the grafted tree at the same depth as in the nursery bag. Keep the graft union above the soil.

Transplanting: Use healthy, well-grafted trees. Remove the polythene carefully, spread roots in the hole and water thoroughly after planting.

Irrigation: Young apple trees need regular watering in dry spells. For bearing trees, avoid stress at flowering and during fruit swelling; but do not over-irrigate heavy soils.

Fertigation: Under drip, feed small amounts of nitrogen early in the season, and more potassium as fruits develop. Avoid very heavy nitrogen close to harvest to keep fruits firm.

Pest scouting: Inspect trees often for aphids, caterpillars, fruit borers and leaf spots. Check young shoots, the underside of leaves and developing fruits.

Pruning: Train Apple (tufaha) to a strong central leader or open-centre with 3–4 main branches. Prune each year to remove crossing, dead or diseased wood and to open the canopy for light and air.

Harvest: Harvest when fruits have reached full size and colour for the variety, and seeds inside have turned brown. Fruits should detach easily when lifted and twisted.

Postharvest: Pick carefully into padded crates, do not drop fruits. Keep in shade, cool them if possible and avoid rough handling during transport to maintain shelf life.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at planting	0	Well-rotted manure + P fertilizer (e.g., DAP or TSP)	15 kg/tree manure	N: 0, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Thoroughly mix manure and P with topsoil in the planting hole for Apple (tufaha).
2	Early growth topdress	120	CAN 26% N	150 g/tree	N: 0, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Apply in a ring under the canopy edge and lightly incorporate.
3	Pre-flowering feed	365	Balanced NPK (e.g., 17-17-17)	250 g/tree	N: 0, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Applied at the start of rainy season before flowering.
4	Fruit development high K	420	High-K fertilizer (e.g., SOP or 12-12-24)	250 g/tree	N: 0, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Improves Apple (tufaha) fruit size, colour and storage life.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Establishment	30	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Establishment	30	kg/ha
K₂O	Establishment	30	kg/ha
N	Vegetative	50	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Vegetative	20	kg/ha
K₂O	Vegetative	40	kg/ha
N	Bearing_maintenance	60	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Bearing_maintenance	25	kg/ha
K₂O	Bearing_maintenance	80	kg/ha

Field images (picha shambani)

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Anna	KE	150	Low-chill variety suited to warmer highlands; early bearing with crisp fruit.
Top Red / Red Delicious–type	KE	170	Red-skinned apples for fresh eating; needs cooler sites.
Golden Dorset / similar	TZ	150	Yellow-skinned, sweet dessert apple suitable for some warmer highland zones.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal (at planting)	Well-rotted farmyard manure	10000	Incorporated in planting holes and along future root zone.
Young trees	CAN 26% N	60	Split into 2–3 small applications per year to encourage early growth.
Bearing trees base feed	NPK 17-17-17 or similar	200	Applied annually, often at start of rains.
Fruit quality	High-K fertilizer (e.g., SOP or 12-12-24)	80	Supports good colour and firm fruits.

Name	Type	Management
Aphids	pest	Encourage natural enemies, prune heavily infested shoots and use selective insecticides or soaps when numbers are high.
Fruit borers / codling moth–type caterpillars	pest	Collect and destroy infested fruits, maintain orchard hygiene and use recommended control products and traps where avail...
Mites	pest	Avoid dusty conditions, keep trees healthy and use specific miticides or biopesticides when needed.
Apple scab–like leaf and fruit spots	disease	Prune for airflow, remove infected leaves and fruit, and apply fungicides/biopesticides during wet periods when disease...
Powdery mildew	disease	Prune out infected shoots, avoid excessive nitrogen and spray with suitable fungicides or sulphur where needed.
Cankers and dieback	disease	Cut out cankers in dry weather, disinfect tools and avoid wounding the bark.

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Scattered homestead Apple (tufaha) trees	8	5	12	Few trees with limited pruning and fertilizer.
Managed smallholder apple orchard	20	10	30	Regular pruning, manuring/fertilizer and basic pest and disease control.
Intensive high-density apple orchard	40	25	50	Improved rootstocks, drip irrigation, fertigation and strong canopy management.

No season calendars yet.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Central and upper Rift Valley highlands (cool apple zones)
TZ	Northern and southern highlands above about 1500 m
UG	High altitude areas with cool temperatures