This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the cultivation of pomegranate (Punica granatum), a subtropical fruit crop of significant economic importance. It covers key aspects such as botanical characteristics, agro-climatic requirements, propagation, orchard management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling. The content is structured to support academic understanding and practical application in horticultural production systems.
General Information
- Order: Myrtales; Family: Punicaceae; Scientific name: Punica granatum L.
- Chromosome number: 2n = 2x = 16, 18; Synonyms include Punica florida, P. grandiflora, P. nana, and P. spinosa.
- Pomegranate is a subtropical, non-climacteric fruit with aril as the edible portion.
- Fruit type: Balausta; exhibits low maintenance cost and is salt hardy.
- Primarily grown for its nutritional and medicinal value.
Area and Distribution
- Native to Iran (Persia), now widely cultivated in India and other countries.
- India leads global pomegranate production, with Maharashtra accounting for ~73% of area.
- Other Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana.
- Major export destinations: UAE, Netherlands, UK, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nepal, Oman.
Industrial Uses
- Consumed fresh or processed into juice, syrups, jelly, and wine.
- Juice is rich in citric acid and sodium citrate; used in pharmaceutical and food industries.
- Seed oil has industrial applications.
- Medicinal uses include treatment for digestive disorders and as a dietary supplement.
Agro-Climatic Requirements
- Thrives in semi-arid to subtropical climates; tolerates altitudes up to 1800 m.
- Requires hot, dry summers and cool winters; frost tolerant during dormancy but injured below -11°C.
- Prefers well-drained sandy loam to deep loamy or alluvial soils; salt tolerant.
- Optimal temperature: up to 38°C; adequate irrigation is essential for fruit development.
Varieties Cultivated
- Major Indian varieties: Alandi (Vadki), Dholka, Kandhari, Ganesh (GB I), Muskat, Nabha.
- Other selections: G 137, P 23, P 26, Mridula, Aarakta, Jyoti, Ruby, IIHR Selection, Yercaud 1, Co 1.
- Varieties differ in fruit size, rind color, aril color, seed hardness, and juice quality.
Notable Varieties: Characteristics
- Ganesh: High-yielding, medium-sized fruit, pinkish flesh, soft seeds, agreeable taste.
- Alandi: Medium fruit, blood red arils, sweet-acidic juice, hard seeds.
- Dholka: Large fruit, greenish-white rind, sweet-acidic juice, soft seeds; prominent in Gujarat.
- Kandhari: Large, deep red rind, dark red flesh, slightly acidic juice, hard seeds; grown in Himachal Pradesh.
- Muskat: Small-medium fruit, thick rind, moderately sweet juice, rosy seeds.
- Nabha: Medium tree, yellowish smooth skin, 65% juice, light pink arils, medium soft seeds.
Propagation
- Vegetative propagation preferred to maintain varietal traits; cuttings are most common.
- Best time for cuttings: December–January (dormant period).
- Cuttings planted directly in nursery fields; rooting enhanced with 10,000 ppm IBA in lanolin.
- Air-layering (gootee) is also practiced for propagation.
Planting Operations
- Spacing: 5 x 5 m in square system; pit size: 60 x 60 x 60 cm.
- Pits refilled with topsoil, 20–25 kg FYM/compost, and 1 kg single superphosphate (SSP).
- Best planting time: January–mid-February (North India), monsoon season (South India).
Flowering and Fruiting
- Commercial bearing starts 3–4 years after planting.
- Multiple flowering seasons: 3 in Western India, 2 in Northern India.
- Anthesis occurs between 8 AM and 4 PM, peaking at 2 PM; stigma receptive up to 5 days.
- Fruit set rates: Dholka 63.8%, Bedana 63%.
Orchard Cultural Practices: Irrigation and Interculture
- Regular irrigation essential from flowering to harvest; drought stress causes flower drop and fruit cracking.
- Winter irrigation interval: 8–10 days; summer: 4–6 days.
- Drip irrigation recommended for efficient water use.
- Shallow inter-cultivation suppresses weeds and conserves soil moisture; mulching advised.
Orchard Cultural Practices: Manuring and Training
- Apply FYM and fertilizers as per plant age; split doses recommended for nutrients.
- Manure applied at monsoon onset; fertilizers in trenches around plants.
- Immediate irrigation after manuring enhances nutrient uptake.
- Training to multi-stem system from second year; regular pruning removes weak, dead, or diseased wood.
- Apply Bordeaux paste to pruning cuts to prevent infection.
Crop Regulation and Pollination
- Flowering regulated by bahar treatments: Mrig (June–July), Hasth (Sept–Oct), Ambe (Feb–Mar).
- Fertilizer and irrigation schedules adjusted for desired bahar.
- Pomegranate is both self- and cross-pollinated; hand pollination increases fruit set.
Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling
- Fruits mature in 5–7 months; harvest indicators: color change, softening, flattening of ridges, metallic sound when tapped.
- Harvest with secateurs/clippers to avoid fruit damage.
- Sort fruits by size, maturity, and blemishes; pack in cushioned crates or baskets.
- Transport promptly to markets to maintain quality.
Physiological Disorders: Fruit Cracking
- Caused by boron and calcium deficiencies, irregular irrigation, and environmental stress.
- Cracked fruits are susceptible to insect and fungal attack, reducing marketability.
- Mrig bahar crop is more prone to cracking.
- Control: light irrigation, windbreaks, borax spray (0.1%), GA3 spray (250 ppm) in June.
Major Insect Pests
- Pomegranate butterfly (Virachola isocrates): larvae bore into fruit, causing rot and drop.
- Bark eating caterpillar (Indarbela quadrinotata): bores into trunk, causing webbing and stem death.
- Sap-sucking insects: aphids, mealy bugs, thrips; cause stunted growth and sooty mold.
Insect Pest Management
- Remove and destroy infested fruits and plant parts regularly.
- Neem-based sprays (NSKE 5%, neem oil 3%) deter oviposition; repeat applications as needed.
- Bagging fruits post fruit set prevents pest entry.
- Bark caterpillar: clean webs, insert petrol/kerosene-soaked cotton in holes, seal with mud; alternate sprays of Carbaryl, Quinalphos, or Methomyl as per recommendations.
Major Diseases and Management
- Leaf spot and fruit spot (Xanthomonas punicae): water-soaked, dark spots on leaves and fruits; can cause defoliation and fruit cracking.
- Fruit rot (Phomopsis sp.): affects flowers and young fruits, causing premature drop and spotting; prevalent in rainy season.
- Cultural control: use disease-free seedlings, proper spacing, organic amendments, and recommended NPK.
- Chemical control: spray Captan or Dithane M-45 (0.2%) for leaf spot; Dithane Z-78 (0.2%) for fruit rot at fortnightly intervals.
- Remove and destroy infected plant parts to reduce inoculum.
Objective Questions
Q1. Which of the following is NOT a synonym for Punica granatum L.?
A. Punica florida Salisb.
B. Punica grandiflora hort. ex Steud.
C. Punica indica Roxb.
D. Punica nana L.
Answer: C
Q2. Which pomegranate variety is specifically noted for having soft seeds and being an important variety of Gujarat?
A. Alandi
B. Dholka
C. Kandhari
D. Muskat
Answer: B
Q3. The best time for making cuttings for vegetative propagation of pomegranate is:
A. March-April
B. June-July
C. December-January
D. September-October
Answer: C
Q4. Which of the following bahar treatments is associated with the highest susceptibility to fruit cracking in pomegranate?
A. Mrig bahar
B. Hasth bahar
C. Ambe bahar
D. None of the above
Answer: A
Q5. The recommended basal application per pit at planting for pomegranate includes:
A. 10-15 kg FYM + 2 kg SSP
B. 20-25 kg FYM/Compost + 1 kg SSP
C. 5 kg FYM + 0.5 kg SSP
D. 30 kg FYM + 3 kg SSP
Answer: B
Q6. Which of the following is a major symptom of pomegranate fruit borer (Virachola isocrates) infestation?
A. Yellowing of leaves
B. Offensive smell and excreta at entry holes
C. Wilting of branches
D. Leaf curling
Answer: B
Q7. Which chemical is recommended for improving rooting in pomegranate cuttings?
A. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)
B. Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA)
C. Butyric acid (10000 ppm in lanolin)
D. Gibberellic acid (GA3)
Answer: C
Q8. The main edible portion of the pomegranate fruit is:
A. Mesocarp
B. Endocarp
C. Aril
D. Seed coat
Answer: C
Q9. Which of the following is NOT a recommended control measure for bark eating caterpillar (Indarbela quadrinotata) in pomegranate?
A. Cleaning webs around affected portion
B. Inserting cotton swab soaked in petrol or kerosene into holes
C. Spraying neem oil (3%)
D. Sealing holes with mud
Answer: C
Q10. The pathogen responsible for leaf spot and fruit spot in pomegranate is:
A. Phomopsis sp.
B. Xanthomonas punicae
C. Alternaria alternata
D. Fusarium oxysporum
Answer: B
