Pomegranate Cultivation| Production Technology of Pomegranate - Agrobotany

Pomegranate Cultivation

Botanical Name: Punica granatum (Family: Punicaceae, 2n=18)

Origin: Iran

Introduction

• Pomegranate is an ancient fruit crop, highly valued in tropical regions for its taste and therapeutic uses.
• Major cultivation is observed in Mediterranean regions like Iran, Spain, Morocco, and Egypt.
• In India, it is widely grown, especially in Maharashtra (60% share), followed by Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• While the plant behaves as deciduous in temperate zones, it remains evergreen in tropical and subtropical climates.
• Fruits grow terminally on short spurs arising from mature branches.
• The plant is robust, bushy, and often forms multiple stems.

Uses

• The edible portion is the aril, which is the fleshy outgrowth of the seed.
• Popular for its refreshing juice and numerous medicinal benefits.
• Juice is beneficial for those affected by leprosy.
• The fruit rind and bark are traditionally used for treating diarrhea and dysentery.
• Dried seeds are used as a spice called 'Anardana.'
• Tannins are extracted from the rind, leaves, stem, and root bark.
• Flowers produce a red dye used in textile coloring.
• One fruit provides nearly 40% of the daily vitamin C requirement of an adult.
• Rich in riboflavin, protein, fat, sugar, pectin, calcium, and iron.

Climate

Pomegranate thrives best in regions with hot, dry summers and cool winters. Optimal fruit quality is achieved where rainfall is minimal and high temperatures persist during fruit development. Though drought-tolerant, irrigation enhances performance.

Soil

Adaptable to various soil types including limy, saline, and rocky soils. However, deep, well-drained loamy soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5 yield better productivity and quality.

Propagation

1. Stem Cutting:

• Cuttings are taken from healthy, one-year-old shoots.
• Cuttings of 25-40 cm are prepared by removing leaves, treated with IBA (2000 ppm), and planted in soil.
• Plants are ready for transplanting in about 55-60 days.

2. Air Layering:

• Performed during the monsoon; IBA (10,000 ppm) enhances rooting.

3. Tissue Culture: Commercially adopted by Jain Irrigation Company.

Orchard Establishment and Planting

Land should be prepared before monsoon. Pits of 60-75 cm³ are dug at a spacing of 5x2 m. Rooted cuttings (1–2 years old) are planted at the center of pits and supported with stakes.

Irrigation

Frequent irrigation is essential for newly planted trees. Regular watering during flowering and fruiting is vital to prevent fruit cracking and ensure good fruit development.

Intercropping and Intercultivation

• Legumes and cereals are suitable intercrops during the juvenile stage.
• Papaya is used as a filler crop.
• Weed control in basins is crucial.
• Deep ploughing should be avoided to prevent root damage.

Manures and Fertilizers

• Apply 20–50 kg FYM per tree annually with 400g N, 200g P, and 200g K for bearing trees.
• Pre-bearing trees should receive full P, K, and 75% N at flowering (bahar) and 25% N post fruit set.
• Doses are doubled by 8–10 years of age.

Training and Pruning

1. Multi-stemmed System: Common in Maharashtra, 3–4 stems are retained, giving a bushy structure.

2. Single-stemmed System: Side shoots are removed up to 2–3 ft, retaining one main stem. The stem is pinched at 1 m height to allow 4–5 well-distributed branches. Pruning is done regularly to remove dead or weak parts.

Flowering and Fruit Set

Flowering can be regulated using bahar treatment by withholding irrigation for 60 days and exposing roots. Major flowering seasons:

• Ambe Bahar (Feb–Mar): Suitable where water is available in summer.
• Mrig Bahar (Jun–Jul): Timed with monsoon onset, preferred in dry areas.
• Hastha Bahar (Sep–Oct): Less reliable due to monsoon rainfall.

Harvesting and Yield

Fruit-bearing begins by the 3rd or 4th year and continues for 25–30 years. Maturity occurs 5–7 months post-blossoming. Mature fruits turn pink to red and emit metallic or crunchy sounds when tapped. Economic yields begin in the 6th–7th year, with mature trees (10 years) yielding 80–120 fruits (16–20 kg).

Pests and Diseases

• Fruit Borer: Virachola isocrates – causes fruit rot and premature drop.
• Bark Eating Caterpillar: Inderbela tetraonis – weakens the tree by damaging the bark.
• Stem Borer: Aleurodes spp.
• Fruit Rot: Caused by Phomopsis spp.
• Leaf Spot: Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

Physiological Disorder – Fruit Cracking

• Caused by high temperatures and moisture stress followed by rains.
• Boron deficiency can cause cracking in young fruits.
• Sudden temperature changes and dry spells harden the rind, followed by rapid pulp growth after rain or irrigation causes cracking.
• Cracked fruits may develop fungal infections and lose marketability.
• Resistant varieties include ‘Bedana Bosek,’ ‘Jalore Seedless,’ and ‘Khog.’

Control Measures

1. Use cracking-tolerant cultivars.
2. Harvest fruits promptly after maturity.
3. Maintain consistent soil moisture during Mrig Bahar.
4. Spray calcium hydroxide on leaves post-fruit set.
5. Apply borax (0.1%) or 20g per plant if boron deficiency is suspected.
6. Spray GA₃ at 250 ppm in June.
7. Establish windbreaks around orchards.