Bedding System: A Unique Plantation Method of Pomegranate in Arid and Semi-arid Region

Abstract

Pomegranate has emerged as a cash crop in the arid and semi-arid region in recent years. However, paucity of proper planting system posed various management problems leading to lethal increase of plant diseases and significant reduction in yield. In the present study, a unique planting method i.e. bedding system was evaluated against traditional planting methods. Results revealed that bedding system of plantation (0.60 m width × 0.30 m deep trenches below the soil surface, above ground 2 m wide bed 45 cm high at the middle and sloping down towards both ends, separated by parallel dead furrows oriented in the direction of land slope) led to appropriate aeration in active root zone, avoiding water logging and increased nutrient uptake. These conditions facilitated the reduction in disease infestation and increased physical attributes significantly. All these favorable outputs culminated into significantly higher yield of pomegranate on the bedding system of plantation.