Pomegranate dr.faisl shraim

Taxonomy Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: MAyrtales Family: Punicaceae Genus: Punica Species: granata S.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

Irrigation Water 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.

Interval of Irrigation (Days) 2 5 4 7 6 10 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 After harvesting The frequency of irrigation is based on the season and the soil type

Fertilizing N (g ) P (g ) K ( g) 2 250 125 3 500 4 5 Above 5 625 Age of Plant (Years) N (g ) P (g ) K ( g) 2 250 125 3 500 4 5 Above 5 625

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