Buy Bhagwa pomogranite Plant Pomegranate grows well under semi-arid conditions and can be grown upto an altitude

of 500 m. above m.s.l.. It thrives well under hot, dry summer and cold winter provided irrigation facilities are available. The tree requires hot and dry climate during fruit development and ripening. Pomegranate tree is deciduous in areas of low winter temperature and an evergreen or partially deciduous in tropical and sub-tropical conditions. It can tolerate frost to a considerable extent in dormant stage, but is injured at temperature below - 110 C. Well drained, sandy loan to deep loamy or alluvial soils is suitable for cultivation. Varieties Cultivated Important pomegranate varieties cultivated in India are Alandi or Vadki, Dholka, Kandhari, Kabul, Muskati Red, Paper Shelled, Spanish Ruby, Ganesh (GB I), G 137, P 23, P 26, Mridula, Aarakta, Jyoti, Ruby, IIHR Selection, Yercaud 1 and Co 1.

Land Preparation Land is prepared by ploughing, harrowing, leveling and removing weeds. Planting Planting Material Pomegranate is propagated vegetatively by cuttings, air layering or gootee. Planting season Air layering is usually done during the rainy season and also in NovemberDecember. Planting is usually done in spring (February-March) and July-August in sub-tropical and tropical regions respectively. Spacing High density planting is adopted in temperate regions. A spacing of 5-6 m. in northern India and also in the plains of Deccan plateau is usually followed. High density planting with a spacing gives 2-2.5 times more yield than that obtained when the normal planting distance of 5 X 5 m. is adopted. Farmers have adopted a spacing of 2.5 X 4.5 m. Closer spacing increases disease and pest incidence.

Planting Method Square system of planting is mostly adopted. Planting distance is decided on the basis of soil type and climate. A spacing of 4-5 m. on marginal and very light soils is recommended. Pits of 60 X 60 X 60 cm. size are dug (at a spacing of 5 cm. in square system) about a month prior to planting and kept open under the sun for a fortnight. About 50 g. of 5% BHC or carbaryl dust is dusted on the bottom and sides of the pits as a pre-caution against termites. The pits are filled with top soil mixed with 20 kg. farmyard manure and 1 kg. super phosphate. After filling the pit, watering is done to allow soil to settle down. Cuttings/air layers are then planted and staked. Irrigation is provided immediately after planting. Nutrition The recommended fertilizer dose is 600-700 g. N, 200-250 g. P2O5 and 200-250 g. K2O /tree/year. Application of 10 kg. farmyard manure and 75 g. ammonium sulphate to 5 year old tree annually is adequate , whereas application of 50 kg. farmyard manure and 3.5 kg. oil cake or 1 kg. sulphate of ammonia prior to flowering is ideal for healthy growth and fruiting. The time of application is December/January for ambe bahar, May/June for Mrig bahar and October/November for hasthe bahar. The basal dose of farmyard manure @ 25-40 cart-loads /ha. besides the recommended doses of N, P and K should be applied to non-bearing trees in 3 split doses coinciding with growth of flushes during January, June and September. Fruiting should be encouraged from fourth year onwards. Nitrogenous fertilizer is applied in two split doses starting at the time of first irrigation after bahar treatment and next at 3 weeks interval, whereas full dose of P and K should be applied at one time. These should be applied in a shallow circular trench below tree canopy not beyond a depth of 8-10 cm. After application, fertilizers are covered with top soil and irrigated. Irrigation First irrigation is provided in case of mrig bahar crop in the middle of May followed by regular irrigation till the monsoon sets in. Weekly irrigation in summers and that during winters at fortnightly intervals is recommended. The check basin system of irrigation is usually followed. Drip Irrigation The average annual water requirement through drip irrigation is 20 cm. Drip irrigation helps to save 44% on irrigation and 64% when sugarcane trash mulch

is used. It also helps to increase the yield by 30-35%. Training Plants are trained on a single stem or in multi-stem system. Since the crops trained on single stem training system are more susceptible to pests viz. stem borer and shoot hole borer, the other system is more prevalent in the country. Pruning Pruning is not much required except for removal of ground suckers , water shoots, cross branches , dead and diseased twigs and also to give shape to the tree. A little thinning and pruning of old spurs is done to encourage growth of new ones. Inter-cropping Inter-cropping with low growing vegetables, pulses or green manure crops is beneficial. In arid regions, inter-cropping is possible only during the rainy season, whereas winter vegetables are feasible in irrigated areas. Regulation of bearing Pomegranate plants flower and provide fruits throughout the year in central and southern India. Depending on patterns of precipitation, flowering can be induced during June-July (mrig bahar), September-October (hasta bahar) and JanuaryFebruary (ambe bahar). In areas having assured rainfall where precipitation is normally received in June and continues upto September, flowering in June is advantageous; where monsoon normally starts in August, flowering during August is beneficial. Areas having assured irrigation potential during April-May, flowering during January can be taken and where monsoon starts early and withdraws by September induction of flowering in October is possible. Considering comparable yields, prices and irrigation needs it is recommended that October cropping could be substituted for January flowering. Plant Protection Measures Insect Pests Insect pests mostly observed are fruit borer, mealy bugs, aphids, white fly and fruit sucking moths. Spraying with dimethoate , deltamethrin or malathion etc. depending upon the type of pest infestation has been found to be effective in most cases. Diseases

The main diseases reported are leaf spot and fruit rot. Application of Mancozeb (2g./l.) during rainy season in case of the former and application of Kavach (2g./l) and Carbendazim/Thiophanate methyl/Baycor/Benomyl (1g./l.) during September/October in case of the latter has been found to be effective in most cases. Disorders Fruit cracking is a serious disorder. This physiological disorder observed in young fruits is due to boron deficiency and that in fully grown fruits is mainly due to moisture imbalances. Tolerant varieties viz. Bedana Bose and Khog may be cultivated and in other cases spraying with calcium hydroxide soon after fruit set has been found to be beneficial. Harvesting and Yield Pomegranate being a non-climacteric fruit should be picked when fully ripe. Pomegranate plants take 4-5 years to come into bearing. Harvesting of immature or over mature fruits affects the quality of the fruits. The fruits become ready for picking 120-130 days after fruit set. The calyx at the distal end of the fruit gets closed on maturity. At maturity, the fruits turn yellowish-red and get suppressed on sides. POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT Grading Fruits are graded on the basis of their weight, size and colour. The various grades are super, king, queen and prince-sized. Besides that, pomegranates are also graded into two grades- 12A and 12 B. Fruits of 12-A grade are generally preferred in southern and northern region. Storage Fruits can be stored in cold storage upto 2 months or 10 weeks at a temperature of 50 C. Longer storage should be at 100 C and 95% RH to avoid chilling injury and weight loss. Packing The size of packages varies according to the grade of the fruits. Corrugated fibre board boxes are mostly used. In a single box, 4-5 queen sized fruits, 12 prince sized and some of 12-A and 12-B grades may be packed. The white coloured boxes having 5 plies are generally used for export purpose, whereas red-

coloured ones having 3 plies are used for domestic markets. The red coloured boxes are cheaper than white coloured ones. The cut pieces of waste paper are generally used as cushioning material.

Salient features of Bhagawa1. It fetches better market price which is 2-3 times higher than that of Ganesh. 2. Increasing demand for export markets particularly in United Kingdom, Holland, other European and gulf countries etc. 3. Fruits are very attractive, Saffron coloured, smooth and glossy peel which is increasing its cosmetic value and market appearance of the fruits. 4. Fruits are with attractive sseds having cherry red coloured and bold arils, which are suitable for both table and processing purposes. 5. Fruits are suitable for long distant transport due to thick peel (Less weight loss, less possibility of damage due to bruises.) 6. Fruits have better keeping quality than other varieties ( 15 12 days at room temperatures). 7. Fruits are tolerant to thrips and mites whcih reduces the number of pesticidal sprays, which minimises cost of production. 8. Fruits are moderately susceptible to black spots. 9. Fruits are free from blackening of arils even in case of late harvesting of fruits up to 7-5 months, which reduces market value of fruits. 10. It has no incidence of cracking of fruits which is observed in other varieties viz. Ganesh, G-137 and Mridula which ranges from 10-15%. 11. There is no fruit drop observed in case of severe water shortage situations. 12. This variety gives high yield (30-40 kg/tree) in case of better management . 13. It is comparatively late for harvesting but due to less expenses on plant protection measures and better market prices realized, it is more remunerative than any other pomegranate cultivar. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------[Above information is based on recommendations from National Agriculture Research System. The Effectiveness of the recommendations varies from place to place with changes in natural resource and climate. Farmers are advised to use the information on their own responsibility. KVK Baramati shall not be responsible for any consequences.]

Light and Temperature

Pomegranate trees usually grow in tropical areas. As a matter of fact, they particularly favor being under the full blast of the sun. The warm sunlight is one of the big factors of the production of its fruits and flowers. However, if they are planted in areas where sunlight is not that abundant or with only partial sunlight, the production of their fruits and flowers will be affected. The fruits and flowers will likely be scarce and small. This is the very explanation why pomegranate trees are mostly appropriate in places with hot summers. On the other hand, being cooled once in while is also what these trees desire. That is why they are also suitable even in cool winters time. These two particular seasons which are needed by the pomegranate trees are essential for them to enter natural growth and dormancy periods. There are also some species of these trees that can stand a temperature as low as ten (10) degrees. Their barks are also sensitive to frost damage. So you must keep it in your mind that they should be protected during extreme freezing temperatures.

Rich Soil with Fertilizer

Pomegranate trees tend to be more apt on the types of soil that are a mixture of clay, sand, gravel, silt, and organic matter. The best example for this is the deep loam soil. However, they can also bear with the types of soil that can drain water more easily such as rocky and sandy soil. Fertilizers can also make your pomegranate trees healthier although they can still live without having one. Putting fertilizers is more like pampering your tree. And they will definitely be grateful for a layer of compost or mulch. If you plan on putting fertilizers on your tree, make sure to spread them around the base of the latter. You should also put it before spring comes. During this period, your tree is near to its full bloom. Additionally, if you have just started planting, more probably your trees are still new like babies. In this case, they only need two (2) to four (4) ounces of ammonium sulfate. It is also highly advisable for you to remove any nearby plants that might compete with it.

Other Minor Elements

Water is basically needed by every plant. In the case of pomegranate trees, they are more inclined to semi- dry environment. During dry season, you can immerse them with water every two to four weeks. Pruning is also needed by these trees. To train the tree to grow into a single trunk, whenever it produces sprouts and sucker, you must remove them immediately. Dead and damage branches should be eliminated during its dormant period which is in the late winter. And lastly, put on a copper fungicide on your trees from late spring until summer. This is to prevent it from fungus infection.