Pomegranate known as Anar in Hindi, is commercial crop of India. It origin lies in Persia. It is a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin C. Pomegranate eaten as fresh fruit also its juice is cool and refreshing. Along with juice, each and every part of pomegranate have some medicinal value. Its root and peel used to cure diarrhoea, dysentery and worm killing in the intestines. Its petals are used for preparing dyes. Pomegranate has high export potential. India mainly export to Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Netherland.
 
Maharashtra is major producer of Pomegranate. Other states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana are also cultivating pomegranate on small scale.

In Maharashtra, near about 1.32 lakh hectare area is under pomegranate cultivation (Numerical.co.in). Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Beed, Buldhana, Dhule, Jalna, Latur, Osmanabad, Nashik, Pune, Satara, Sangli and Solapur are major pomegranate areas of Maharashtra. 

 

It can be grown on variety of soils. For optimum growth and yield, it required deep loamy and alluvial soils. It is tolerant to loamy and slightly alkaline soils. It is also cultivated on poor soils. Also medium and black soils are suitable for pomegranate cultivation.

Ganesh:  Fruits are of medium size. Its peel is having yellow colored with pink blush. The TSS of juice varies from 13% to 16%. Gives fruit yield of 4.8-6 tons per acre.

Bhagava: Fruits are large, bold, shiny and having saffron color. Variety ready to harvest in 180-190days.

Phule Arakta: High yielding variety. Its fruits are large, sweet with soft seeds. Less susceptible to fruit spots and thrips. Ready to harvest in 120-135days. 

Jyothi: This variety is dwarf and evergreen. Gives average juice yield of 75% on the basis of grains weight. TSS content of juice is about 17%. Gives average yield 3.2tonnes per acre.

Mridula: Fruits having red colored rind. Its grains are also blood red in color. The juice is 78 percent based on grain weight. TSS content of juice is about 17-18%.

Maskat: This varieties fruits are bigger in size. Its grains are Pinkish white with sweet taste.

 

In summer season, prepared land thoroughly with two to three times criss cross ploughing followed by leveling. For plantation of seedling, prepared pits of 60x60x60cm diameter and keep open pits in sun for two to four weeks. Then fill pits with dry leaves at bottom followed by well decomposed cow dung@20-25kg/plant and single super phosphate@250gm + Carbendazim@5gm per pit. 

Time of sowing
Rainy season is optimum time for pomegranate cultivation.

Spacing
Optimum spacing is depend on soil type and climate. For Pomegranate planting, use spacing of 5mx5m. 

Sowing Depth
For sowing dug Pits of 60 X 60 X 60 cm. size about a month prior to planting. Keep open pit under the sun for a fortnight. Then filled pits with top soil mixed with 20kg of farmyard manure and 1 kg of super phosphate. After filling pit, apply water. It will settle down the soil.

Method of sowing
Transplanting of seedlings in main field.

Pomegranate is propagated through air layering method.  Air layering is done in rainy season as well as in November-December month. For air layering select one to two year old, healthy, mature shoot having length of 45-60cm with pencil thickness.
 

Seed Rate:
With spacing of 5mx5m, near about 160plant accommodates in one acre.

Seed Treatment:
Before sowing, dipped seedling or cutting in IBA solution of 1000PPM@1gm/Ltr of water.
 

Mulching is the best way to keep check on Weeds effectively.

To control weeds, mulching can be done. Along with weed control, it helps to conserved moisture and reduce evaporation loss.
 

Training and Pruning help in growth of fresh healthy shoots. It removes old also disease branches and avoids overcrowding of branches. It also maintains proper shape of plant.

Bahar Treatment:

Three main seasons of flowering and fruit development i.e. Mrig bahar, Hasta Bahar and Amebye Bahar.

In bahar, tree is exposed to water stress i.e. irrigation is stop completely for one-two months depending upon soil type. Pruning operation is carried in this period. When 50-70% leaf defoliation is achieved, irrigation is applied to orchard.

If expected defoliation is not occurred. Chemical i.e. Ethylene@2-5ml per Ltr of water is sprayed on tree.
 
Mrig Bahar (June-July): Flowering is observed in June-July. It is adopted by arid and semi-arid regions farmers. More infestation of pest-disease and fungal infestation is observed.

Hasta bahar (September- October): Irrigation is stop during September – October. As weather condition are not favorable also plant accumulate more water and nitrogen in previous season, it is difficult to achieved accurate Water stress in hast bahar. But demand for this season fruit is high so hast bahar is more popular among the farmers.

Ambeya Bahar: Irrigation is stop during December – February month depending on soil type. Fruits from Ambeya bahar are more sweet because of hot and dry climate. Also, pest and disease infestation is less on ambeya bahar fruits.