Explore essential aspects of cultivating crack-free pomegranates, covering varieties, soil preferences, irrigation, common disorders, and harvest techniques. Perfect for growers aiming to improve fruit quality and minimize losses.
Which pomegranate variety is most recommended for minimizing fruit cracking in commercial horticultural production?
Explanation: 'Bhagwa' is widely preferred for its superior resistance to fruit cracking and uniform rind thickness, making it ideal for commercial cultivation. 'Wonderful' and 'Ganesh' are popular, but generally show higher cracking under stress. 'Red Lady' is a papaya variety, not a pomegranate.
Pomegranates perform best and show fewer cracks when planted in which soil condition?
Explanation: Well-drained loamy soils help maintain optimal moisture and reduce fruit cracking risk. Heavy clay can retain excess water, leading to root problems. Saline-alkaline and waterlogged sandy soils are generally unsuitable due to poor structure and drainage.
What irrigation practice best prevents pomegranate fruit cracking during the fruit development stage?
Explanation: Consistent and uniform watering prevents sudden changes in moisture, a major cause of cracking. Heavy flooding stresses roots, while withholding or limiting irrigation increases fluctuation and risk of cracks.
Which of the following is a primary physiological cause of pomegranate fruit cracking?
Explanation: Sudden moisture fluctuations cause the fruit rind to split as the pulp expands rapidly. Insects and fungal spots are pests and diseases, not primary physiological causes. Poor pollination leads to other fruit deformities, not cracking.
Why is timely harvesting crucial for preventing pomegranate fruit cracking?
Explanation: Leaving fruit on the tree past maturity raises the risk of cracking due to increased internal pressure. Immature harvest does not increase sugar content. Rind hardening occurs before full ripeness, and although timely harvest reduces some fungal cases, the main issue is cracking.