Enhancing the fruit yield and quality of pomegranate in a new niche area: Insights into site specific agronomic practices

Authors

  • Akath SINGH ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur- 342003; ICAR-Central Institute of Sub-tropical Horticulture, Rehmankheda, Lucknow (IN)
  • Pradeep KUMAR ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur- 342003 (IN)
  • P.R. MEGHWAL ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur- 342003 (IN)
  • Priyabrata SANTRA ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur- 342003 (IN)
  • Anand NAOREM ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur- 342003 (IN)
  • Pratapsingh S. Khapte ICAR—National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati 413115, Maharashtra (IN)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha52313754

Keywords:

fruit load, organo mineral fertilizers, Punica granatum, yield, quality

Abstract

The sustained higher profitability of a pomegranate orchard relies heavily on the production of a greater proportion of high-quality fruits, a goal achievable through the implementation of effective management practices. The objective of this study is to provide site-specific supplementary knowledge regarding the response of pomegranate plants to various management practices under arid conditions. With the aim of enhancing both marketable fruit yield and quality of pomegranate in arid regions, four separate and simultaneous experiments were conducted in the same orchard to evaluate (i) the response of planting materials derived from tissue culture, air layering, and cutting; (ii) the impact of crop (fruit) load; (iii) the response of crop regulation; and (iv) the application response of organo-mineral fertilizers containing potassium (OMF-K) and phosphorus (OMF-P). The results obtained for plant growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality did not exhibit significant differences among pomegranate plants raised through the three different methods of vegetative propagation. Striking results in terms of producing superior-grade fruits, higher marketable yield, and overall fruit quality were achieved with crop loads of 80 fruits per plant. Staggering the crop regulation from June to September effectively extended the harvesting season to four months, from the last week of November to March, with eventual benefit of reduced fruit cracking compared to the standard two-month harvesting period obtained from normal regulation. Soil application of the indigenously developed OMF-K in two equal splits, along with the recommended N and P through inorganic sources, significantly reduced fruit cracking (only 6.23%) compared to the recommended NPK through inorganic sources (26.9%), while maintaining similar physicochemical quality attributes.

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Published

2024-09-23

How to Cite

SINGH, A., KUMAR, P., MEGHWAL, P., SANTRA, P., NAOREM, A., & KHAPTE, P. S. (2024). Enhancing the fruit yield and quality of pomegranate in a new niche area: Insights into site specific agronomic practices . Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 52(3), 13754. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha52313754

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 3 (2024)

Section

Research Articles
CITATION
DOI: 10.15835/nbha52313754

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Copyright (c) 2024 Akath Singh, P. Kumar, P.R. Meghwal, P. Santra, Anand Naorem, Pratapsingh S. Khapte

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