Fruit Cracking Behavior of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Varieties in Response to Their Fruit Size and Nutrient Composition

Abstract

One of the primary physiological concerns for successful cultivation of pomegranate is the occurrence of fruit cracking, which is governed by biotic and abiotic factors. Foreseeing plant nutrient status as a possible cause of fruit cracking in pomegranates, the present study was undertaken to associate fruit cracking behavior with plant nutrients. The nutritional content of fruit peel, aril, and leaves of different pomegranate varieties was evaluated at monthly intervals during stages of fruit development to assess its impact on fruit cracking. The present study focuses on the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content of leaves, aril and peel of different varieties of pomegranate during stages of fruit development on fruit cracking and size. The leaves were the primary site of nutrient accumulation rather than fruit parts; the N and P content decreased, whereas K increased with the advancement of fruit growth. The variety ‘Jodhpur Red’ had maximum P (0.153% in leaves, 0.149% in peel, and 0.151% in aril) with minimum N (2.48% in leaves, 2.40% in peel and 2.43% in aril) and K (1.04% in leaves, 0.95% in peel and 0.98% in aril) in all the tissues leading to larger fruit size and higher fruit cracking. In contrast, high N and P and low K was observed in ‘Kandhari’, which had smaller fruit size and no fruit cracking. Hence, fruit cracking in pomegranate can be associated with nutrient composition and fruit size.