Apple growers may suffer up to 90% yield losses from various physiological disorders if orchards are not managed properly. Thus, the incidence of pre and postharvest physiological disorders is a major concern worldwide. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the apple orchards of Swat, Pakistan for disorders and nutrient status in soil, leaves, and fruits of different apple cultivars. Soil samples of two different locatities (Kalam and Matta) of Swat and plant tissues (leaves and fruits) of 6 apple cultivars (Treco Gala, Jonica, Gala Must, Jonagored, Golden Smoothee, and Pink Lady) were examined to establish the occurrence of disorders and to relate them with the nutritional status of apple trees. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The results showed that soil, leaf, and fruit calcium content, and fruit yield in Kalam were lower than Matta location. All the cultivars varied significantly in terms of leaf and fruit calcium content, as well as fruit yield. Regarding the means for locations, leaf and fruit calcium content and fruit yield with lower prevalence of physiological disorder i.e. bitter pit, internal browning, internal breakdown, water core and lenticels breakdown was recorded in Matta as compared to Kalam valley. Moreover, among the cultivars, apple cultivar Golden Smoothee was found to be the most prone and susceptible cultivar with maximum bitter pit incidence, internal browning, internal breakdown, water core and lenticles breakdown with minimum leaf and fruit calcium content. Minimum fruit yield, maximum leaf and fruit calcium content with least incidence of physiological disorders was recorded in cultivar Pink Lady. Maximum fruit yield was observed in cultivar Jonica. It is concluded that orchards of cultivar Pink Lady and Jonica need to be established in Kalam locations to obtain better yield and minimum physiological disorders of apple. While treatments need to be applied to minimize physiological disorders with maximum yield in apple cultivar Golden Smoothee.

Key words: Apple cultivars, locations, nutrientional status, physiological disorders, yield.