I am from Kachchh (Gujarat-India) region. we have facing a big issue of pomegranate cracking. can anybody help to solve this big problem??
Dear Krantiguru
Your question is quite important as Pomegranate fruit cracking is a severe problem. It is caused by:
1- Boron shortage in immature fruits.
2- Extreme day-to-night temperature differences.
3- Fruit cracking may happen during the ripening process if the soils get too dry followed by a lot of irrigation or rain. Just enough water should be applied to the soil beneath the mulch to prevent the growth of fruit-splitting fungus. In the hottest part of the growing season, water more, then significantly less as fall draws near.
4- Cracking of the fruits can also result from a long delay in harvesting completely developed fruits or a significant pest or disease infestation.
You may control the cacking of pomegranate fruits by:
1. Use organic manures to improve the plant's ability to retain water.
2. Throughout the entire fruit development stage, the plants should receive consistent irrigation.
3. Spry with boron (50 ppm) and GA (40 ppm) to reduce the possibility of fruit cracking on immature fruits. You might be able to eliminate the fungus spores before they invade your fruits and lead to additional pomegranate fruit split issues if you spray copper fungicide on your plant the next season while the fruits are just beginning to grow.
4- Avoid splitting by heavily mulching your tree with at least 3 inches (8 cm) of organic mulch and putting it on a watering plan once the blossoms start to fade.
In Kachchh it is majorly due to irregular irregular irrigation or sudden rain
Have a look at this useful RG link.
Article Fruit Cracking in Pomegranate: Extent, Cause, and Management...
Also, see the RG links below.
Article Fruit cracking of pomegranate and its relationship with temp...
Article Fruit cracking in pomegranate -Current Science
Article Reduction of Cracking in Pomegranate Fruit After Foliar Appl...
Please also take a look at this:
Article CAUSES AND CONTROL OF FRUIT CRACKING IN POMEGRANATE: A REVIEW
The cracking in pomegranate is due to following reasons :-
1. Irregular watering
2. Deficiency of boron in the soil
3. More then 20 degree C difference in day and night temperature. The cracking in the month of December and January month is generally due to more difference in day and night temperature of soil. The mulching will help to reduce such type of cracking. Irrigation in regular interval and foliar and soil application of borax help in reducing the fruit cracking in pomegranate.
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