Pomegranate

dr.faisl shraim

TAXONOMY

Kingdom: PlantaePhylum: TracheophytaClass: MagnoliopsidaOrder: MAyrtalesFamily: PunicaceaeGenus: PunicaSpecies: granataS.N: Punica granatum

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

PLANT

The pomegranate is a small tree or large

shrub (to 12-18 ft), with a branching, suckering

habit. Leaves relatively small, slender oblong,

almost sessile.• It originated in tropical Asia • Cultivated throughout the Mediterranean

and the Middle East• Spanish padres brought this fruit to

California more than 200 years ago.

LEAVES

Pomegranate leaves are glossy,

dark green, oblong to oval, 2.5-3 cm

(1-1.25 in.) long. Leaves are

arranged opposite or nearly so and

clustered on short branchlets.

FLOWERS

A Large (> 1 inch), red

(sometimes white), funnel-

form flowers are borne

terminally on clusters of 1-5.

FRUIT

Irregularly rounded pome with bright

red, leathery rind and a prominent calyx.

The rind encloses membranous, white

tissue (endocarp) which in turn encloses

the arilate seeds. The juice is contained

in the arils. Fruits mature in 6-7 months.

POLLINATION

The pomegranate is both self-pollinated and cross-

pollinated by insects. There is very little wind

dispersal of pollen. Self-pollination of bagged flowers

has resulted in 45% fruit set. Cross-pollination has

increased yield to 68%. In hermaphrodite flowers, 6

to 20% of the pollen may be infertile; in male, 14 to

28%. The size and fertility of the pollen vary with the

cultivar and season.

SOIL & CLIMATE

Pomegranates produce best on deep,

heavy loams, but are adapted to many

soil types from pure sand to heavy clay.

Yields are usually low on sands, while

fruit color is poor on clays. Growth on

alkaline soils is poor. Optimum growth

is associated with deep, fairly heavy,

moist soils in the pH range of 5.5-7.0

PROPAGATION

 by seed

Hardwood cuttings are the most widely

used method

Soft wood

Grafting

Tissue culture

Layering

IRRIGATIONWater requirements for

pomegranate are about the same as

for citrus--125-150 cm (50-60 in.)

per year. Trees should be irrigated

every 7-10 days in the absence of

significant rainfall. Maintain

adequate soil moisture in late

summer and early fall to reduce

potential fruit splitting.

Pomegranates are tolerant of some

flooding.

Stage of Irrigation

Number of Irrigation

Interval of Irrigation(Days)

Before flowering

2 5

During flowering

4 7

At fruit setting &development

6 10

During fruit maturity

4 7

After harvesting

2 5

The frequency of irrigation is based on the season and the soil type

Age of Plant(Years)

N (g ) P (g ) K ( g)

2 250 125 125

3 500 125 250

4 500 125 250

5 500 125 250

Above 5 625 250 250

Fertilizing

HARVEST

The trees produce fruit 3 to 4 years

after planting. The fruit ripens about

6 months after bloom, with

the best fruit development during hot

weather. The fruits mature

STORAGE

Pomegranate keep at room temperature for several days.Fruit and seeds will last up to 3 days in plastic bags in the refrigerator.Refrigerate juice up to 3 days. Freeze up to 6 months in airtight containers.

NUTRITION

104 calories

1.5 g protein

26.4 g carbohydrate

9 mg vitamin C

399 mg potassium