Planning and management of pomegranate orchards for hasta bahar (august to march)

The study was carried out for Hasta bahar of pomegranate for optimum production of pomegranate for Solapur district in the semi-arid zone of Maharashtra. Generally, for crop planning, rainfall analysis and water balance studies are required to determine drought investigation, water requirement, and water surplus/ deficit. Rainfall is the major determinant of pomegranate production, especially in rain fed areas because the contribution of rain fed horticulture is almost half to the national production. The study revealed that, the greater intensity of weekly drought for Hasta bahar is found in Malsiras followed by Akluj and Jeyur and lowest intensity of weekly drought is found in Solapur and South Solapur for all the weeks. The water requirement at 70% probability of Hasta bahar is 1260.5 liters/year/tree for mature (5th year) Pomegranate tree. The percent water surplus weeks always lower than the percent water deficit weeks for all the stations of Solapur district for entire study period (1977-2007). The climate is semi-arid with average moisture index -56.85 percent. The uniform variation of all parameter occurred during Hasta which is helpful for healthy and disease free growth of pomegranate tree also good for pomegranate production. The most adequate beneficial and productive season for pomegranate production as compare other seasons.