Some individuals dedicate their lives to preserving heritage while bringing innovation to their fields. One such remarkable figure in the world of fruit science is Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, a distinguished horticulturist whose pioneering work in research, conservation, and improvement of the indigenous Ambri apple earned him the title of “Ambri Man of Kashmir.”
The Ambri apple, once the pride of Kashmiri orchards, had been overshadowed by commercially popular varieties like Red Delicious due to changing market demands and cultivation challenges. However, Dr. Bhat recognized its potential and embarked on a mission to restore this unique variety. As the first scientist to travel to remote regions of Jammu and Kashmir, he meticulously collected and developed Ambri germplasm, ensuring its genetic diversity was preserved. His relentless efforts culminated in the establishment of the Ambri Apple Research Centre at Pahnoo (SKUAST-K) Shopian, where he spearheaded research aimed at enhancing the apple’s quality, yield, and adaptability.
Prof. Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, a renowned horticulturist and academician, has dedicated a major portion of his research life to the conservation, improvement, and propagation of Ambri. Recognizing the apple’s historical, economic, and ecological value, Dr. Bhat saw an urgent need to scientifically intervene before the variety disappeared completely. With a rare combination of academic rigor and ground-level action, he began a journey that would eventually change the fate of this forgotten cultivar. Dr. Bhat’s approach to reviving Ambri wasn’t limited to mere preservation; instead, he focused on addressing the fundamental issues that made the apple fall out of favor among growers.
- Reduced Gestation Period
Traditionally, Ambri trees took up to 15 years to bear fruit — a significant deterrent for farmers looking for quicker returns. Dr. Bhat’s interventions in horticultural practices, including advanced grafting techniques and optimized rootstock selection, successfully reduced the gestation period to just 3 years. This dramatic reduction revolutionized the economic viability of growing Ambri and encouraged farmers to consider its cultivation once again.
2.High-Density (HD) Planting System
His research introduced compact, high-yielding Ambri apple selections suited for HD orchards, increasing productivity per unit area.
- Minimizing Alternate Bearing and fruit fall
Another major challenge with Ambri was its alternate bearing habit, where a tree would produce a good crop one year and very little the next. Through focused research on pruning practices, nutrient management, and hormonal balance, Dr. Bhat developed strategies that minimized alternate bearing, ensuring consistent annual yields. This consistency was a game-changer in restoring farmers’ faith in the variety.
- Comprehensive Surveys and Documentation
Ambri became the first fruit crop in the region to be extensively surveyed at both micro and macro levels under Dr. Bhat’s leadership. His team undertook detailed field visits across diverse agro-climatic zones of Jammu & Kashmir, gathering critical data on local cultivars, growth habits, disease resistance, and soil adaptability. This large-scale documentation helped build a foundation for future research and conservation efforts.
5.Chemoprofiling and DUS Characterization
In a bid to understand and enhance the quality of Ambri, Dr. Bhat conducted qualitative and quantitative chemo profiling of the fruit. This involved assessing nutritional content, antioxidant properties, sugar-acid balance, and aroma compounds — all factors that contribute to consumer preference and market value. His findings highlighted Ambri’s superior nutritional and organoleptic qualities, making a strong case for its commercial revival.
Furthermore, DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability) characterization was carried out, establishing Ambri’s uniqueness in the world of apples. These scientific evaluations have not only helped in securing intellectual property rights for the variety but also opened avenues for its promotion at the national and international levels.
6.Breeding New Strains: Broadening the Genetic Base
Understanding the need to adapt Ambri to changing climatic conditions and farmer preferences, Dr. Bhat spearheaded efforts to breed new strains through multiple approaches — including mutation breeding, conventional hybridization, selection methods, and molecular techniques. These newer strains were tailored to exhibit better yield, disease resistance, and climate adaptability, while retaining the original fruit’s signature characteristics.
Such cutting-edge breeding techniques have broadened the genetic base of Ambri, reducing its vulnerability to biotic and abiotic stresses. The newly developed strains have generated fresh interest among horticultural researchers and apple growers across India.
What sets Dr. Bhat apart from many in the academic field is his on-ground commitment. Over the years, he has travelled extensively to remote and far-flung areas of Jammu & Kashmir — often under challenging conditions — in search of Ambri germplasm. From high-altitude orchards to neglected village gardens, he has meticulously collected and preserved genetic material that might otherwise have been lost forever.
This fieldwork has not only enriched the germplasm database but also reconnected many local communities with their horticultural roots. By involving farmers in the conservation process, Dr. Bhat has sown seeds of pride and participation in the revival of Ambri. Bhat has a future plan that six number of promising Ambri selections were selected based on various desirable qualitative and quantitative traits for future release. Out of these selections two have been approved for release during the current year while rest 4 are in pipeline and shall be released in due course of time.
Dr. Bhat’s improved Ambri selections introduced several key improvements, making the variety more commercially viable:
- Blushy and Striped Skin: Enhanced visual appeal to attract consumers.
- Signature Aroma and Flavor: Retaining the distinct fragrance and taste that made Ambri famous.
- Reduced Pre-Harvest Fruit Drop: Improved resistance to premature fruit fall, increasing yield stability.
- Better Shelf Life: Making it suitable for long-distance transport and storage.
Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Bhat’s tireless efforts earned him widespread recognition in the scientific community. His dedication ensured that Ambri regained its place in Kashmiri orchards, providing farmers with a sustainable and commercially profitable apple variety . His work not only preserved a vital part of Kashmir’s horticultural heritage but also revived interest in indigenous apple cultivation, inspiring generations of horticulturists, scientists, and orchardists . Through his scientific brilliance and unwavering passion, Dr. Bhat has forever cemented his name as the true hero of fruit science, ensuring that the Ambri apple thrives for generations to come.
Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, a name that has now become synonymous with the revival of this legendary apple. Through years of meticulous research, extensive fieldwork, and unwavering dedication, Dr. Bhat has led a remarkable movement to bring Ambri back from the brink of extinction — not merely as a fruit, but as a legacy worth preserving. Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Bhat’s work on Ambri is more than a scientific achievement — it is a model of how indigenous agricultural heritage can be preserved and modernized through integrated research, innovation, and community involvement. His efforts reflect a blend of heritage conservation, biotechnology, and rural empowerment, ensuring that Ambri is not merely remembered but reinstated as a valuable cultivar in both national and global apple markets. Though humble in demeanor, Dr. Bhat’s work has not gone unnoticed. His contributions are being recognized in academic, governmental, and farming circles alike. Yet, for Dr. Bhat, the real reward lies in seeing the return of Ambri to Kashmir’s orchards — healthier, stronger, and more sustainable than before. As consumers become more aware and appreciative of authentic, native produce, Ambri stands as a beacon of Kashmir’s horticultural legacy — all thanks to the unrelenting pursuit of a visionary scientist shall be recognised as brand Ambassador of Ambri apple at global level.
The story of Ambri’s revival is not just a tale of a fruit brought back to life; it is a story of how dedication, science, and cultural reverence can combine to protect and promote indigenous biodiversity. Prof. Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, through his tireless work, has proven that with the right knowledge and passion, even a forgotten apple can blossom once again — and with it, a region’s pride and prosperity.
The author is working at Ambri Apple Research Centre ,Pahnoo Shopian SKUAST-K, Shalimar
and can be reached at [email protected]
