IXL
An older, long-established imported cultivar historically grown in Kashmir orchards, still cited among the varieties compared in local performance and phenology studies alongside "Makhdoom", "Waris", "Shalimar" and "Nonpareil".
Quick facts
- Crop
- Almond (Badam)
- Type
- Grafted planting material (imported cultivar)
- Season
- All seasons
- Maturity period
- First bearing in 3 years (grafted)
- Expected yield
- Historically reliable under Kashmir conditions
- Suitable soil
- Deep, well-drained temperate orchard loam
- Release
- An older, long-established imported cultivar in Kashmir valley orchards; exact origin and introduction year not confirmed in this pass
About this variety
IXL is one of the oldest imported almond cultivars still cited in Kashmir's orchard literature, appearing in comparative performance studies specifically listed alongside Makhdoom, Waris, Shalimar and Nonpareil as varieties that "have demonstrated the potential to triple yields compared to traditional varieties" in older Kashmir plantings. Unlike the more recently emphasised SKUAST-Kashmir releases, IXL's continued presence in the valley's orchards reflects decades of established cultivation rather than a recent variety trial, though — like Merced — detailed, independently confirmed figures for its specific nut weight, shelling percentage or current disease susceptibility under Indian conditions were not pinned down with the same confidence as for Waris, Makhdoom or Shalimar in this research pass.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- Spacing6–7 m, consistent with general Kashmir valley almond spacing
- FertilizerA balanced NPK dose while young, moving to a higher, bloom-and-post-harvest-split dose once bearing (see the crop guide for the full schedule)
Soil & climate
Soil
- Suitable soil
- Deep, well-drained loam; pH 6.0–7.5
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
First bearing in 3 years (grafted)
Expected yield
Historically reliable under Kashmir conditions
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
Major pests
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- A genuinely long, decades-established track record in Kashmir valley orchards, cited alongside better-known varieties in triple-yield performance comparisons against traditional plantings.
- A recognised cross-pollination partner in established Kashmir orchards.
Things to consider
- Detailed, independently confirmed nut weight, shelling-percentage and disease-susceptibility figures were not confirmed to the same level of detail as Waris, Makhdoom or Shalimar in this pass.
- As an older cultivar, confirm current planting-material availability and its continued recommendation status with SKUAST-Kashmir before basing a new orchard around it.
Suitable regions
An older, long-established imported cultivar historically grown in Kashmir orchards, still cited in local performance and phenology studies.
- Jammu and Kashmir
Frequently asked questions
Is IXL still a recommended variety for new almond orchards in Kashmir?
It remains cited in local variety comparisons and has a long, established track record, but confirm its current formal recommendation status and planting-material availability with SKUAST-Kashmir before basing a new orchard primarily around it, since more recently emphasised releases like Waris and Shalimar have more detailed, current agronomic documentation.
Sourced from: Top Almond Varieties Cultivated in India — TractorKarvan, Compatibility Studies in Exotic and Indigenous Almond Varieties — Kashmir Valley. editorial policy.