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Understanding Phenological Stages of Pomegranates vis-à-vis Flowering and Fruiting Regulation


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Figure 1

Growth stages, BBCH phenological codes, and duration percentage (of annual growth cycle) of the pomegranate trees in a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters
Growth stages, BBCH phenological codes, and duration percentage (of annual growth cycle) of the pomegranate trees in a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters

Figure 2

Different phenophases of pomegranate development
Different phenophases of pomegranate development

Figure 3

Factors responsible for the selection of the flowering season
Factors responsible for the selection of the flowering season

Figure 4

Period of availability of pomegranate fruits in the market (lean period: when availability is low, prices are higher for the produce; peak period: when availability is high, prices are lower)
Period of availability of pomegranate fruits in the market (lean period: when availability is low, prices are higher for the produce; peak period: when availability is high, prices are lower)

Figure 5

Developmental stages of flower buds in pomegranate
Developmental stages of flower buds in pomegranate

Figure 6

Different types of shoots in pomegranate: (a) the long vegetative shoot, with expanded leaves, (b) relatively long vegetative-reproductive branch with one terminal or more flower buds, (c) median vegetative-reproductive branch with one terminal or more flower buds, (d) very short reproductive branch with one terminal flower or more buds without leaves
Different types of shoots in pomegranate: (a) the long vegetative shoot, with expanded leaves, (b) relatively long vegetative-reproductive branch with one terminal or more flower buds, (c) median vegetative-reproductive branch with one terminal or more flower buds, (d) very short reproductive branch with one terminal flower or more buds without leaves

Figure 7

Two major types of flowers in pomegranate: the V-shape, functionally male flowers (top), and the U-shape hermaphrodite flowers (bottom); the male flowers shed few days after full bloom, while the bisexual flowers develop to pomegranate fruit following pollination and fertilization
Two major types of flowers in pomegranate: the V-shape, functionally male flowers (top), and the U-shape hermaphrodite flowers (bottom); the male flowers shed few days after full bloom, while the bisexual flowers develop to pomegranate fruit following pollination and fertilization

Figure 8

Cultural practices to be followed for flowering regulation in pomegranate
Cultural practices to be followed for flowering regulation in pomegranate

Comparison of different flowering seasons

Flowering season Spring flowering Autumn flowering Rainy season flowering
Preferences Preferable if irrigation facilities are available Rarely taken, although suitable for export, preferred in areas infected with bacterial blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae) Preferable under drought-prone areas
Remarks More flowering and high yields, the limited incidence of pests and diseases due to dry weather Fewer incidences of insect pests and diseases, high-quality fruits (attractive rind with dark-colored arils), fetch higher market price due to limited availability of the fruits during this season, optimum water stress cannot be developed as withholding of irrigation happens together with the rainy season, poor flowering, and yield More chances of insect pests and disease attack, poor fruit quality (fungal fruit spots and cracking in dry regions where diurnal temperature variation is high), should be avoided in areas with heavy rainfall during monsoon season

Description of growth stages with BBCH phenological codes of pomegranate trees in a Mediterranean climate

BBCH code Growth stage Description
0 Bud in winter dormancy Bud color grayish brown, entirely closed, connected to the twig, tip sharply pointed
1 Bud swelling Bud begins to swell, later turns paler and round
9 Red tip Bud opens with a spear-shaped new shoot with a red tip
10 Sprouting of the first leaves First furled bright red leaves with pale green midrib appear
10 Leaf separation New leaves begin to separate
11 Leaf growth Leaves grow up in size and change color from bright red to light green
31 Lengthening of internodes Internodes elongate and steadfast shoot growth
51 Appearance of the flower buds Sepals are visible and close together. Greenish flower buds turn into red color
55 Swollen calyx Buds swelling, attain pear shape; differences between male and hermaphrodite flowers noticeable in the shape and the color of the calyx
59 Opening of the calyx Sepals unfold and exhibit the folded red petals within. Petals open and the pistil/anthers become visible toward the end of this stage
61 Open flower Calyx unfolds entirely and the protruding petals, which are folded and purple, unfold over the sepals. The petals appear inserted between every two sepals on their inner side, thereby giving the impression of alternating petals and sepals. The anthers of the stamen change to deep yellow when the pollen is ripe, capable of fertilizing, and pollination occurs
67 Petal fall Petals fall following drying and shriveling; the calyx color changes from red to orange-red; stamens curved toward the longitudinal axis of the flower and the anthers turn grayish-yellow. The terminal part of the style withers
69 Fruit setting The fertilized ovary and the base of the calyx swells; the stamens are dried up and shriveled and the fruit color changes from orange-red to greenish-brown
71 Young fruit Fruit size increases rapidly and the color turns from greenish-brown to green
73 Fruit growth Fruit attains nearly its final size; the sepals form a crown, the dry stamen being inside
39 Second bud sprouting The recommencement of shoot growth
81, 85 Fruit ripening The fleshy seeds turn white to pinkish-red or red; the peel of the fruit changes from green to greenish-yellow and to brownish-yellow with reddish patches
93 Leaf fall Leaves become yellowish and fall; onset of winter dormancy

Flowering seasons of pomegranates

Seasons of flowering Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Spring Flowering
Harvesting

Rainy Flowering Harvesting
Harvesting

Autumn Flowering
Harvesting

The flowering period of pomegranate in different parts of India

Region/state Flowering period Reference
Central and Western India Spring (Jan–Feb); rainy (June–July); autumn (Sept–Oct) Singh et al. (1967); Singh (1969); Mann & Pareek (1974); Phadnis (1974); Patil & Karale (1985)
Karnataka June–August; March; September Nalawadi et al. (1973)
Punjab April–June Josan et al. (1979)
Delhi once or twice a year Nath & Randhawa (1959)
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar February–March; July–August Singh et al. (1967); Singh (1969)
Rajasthan rainy (June–July) Mann & Pareek (1974)
Himachal Pradesh April–May Parmar & Kaushal (1982)
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