Enhancing Growth and Yield in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L. cv. Kandhari) through Foliar Zinc and Boron Application

Abstract

Punica granatum L., commonly known as pomegranate, is a significant fruit tree of family Punicaceae and originated from Iran. Its cultivation is suitably done in most of the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. It is a highly nutritious fruit crop which provides a significant amount of carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, etc that help in reducing various health problems. The present study aimed to evaluate the enhancement of growth and yield in pomegranate (Punica granatum L. cv. Kandhari) through foliar zinc and boron application. The study was carried out during 2022-2023 on five year-old plants of pomegranate cv. Kandhari at Experimental Research Farm Kakhli, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Sirmour (H.P.). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments each having three replications. The plants were subjected to different concentrations of boron (0, 0.3 and 0.6%) and zinc (0, 0.3 and 0.6%) foliar application either alone or in combinations. All recorded data were compiled and analyzed using MS Excel and the statistical software OPSTAT. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted following the Randomized Block Design (RBD). Results revealed that the maximum plant height (m), plant spread East-West (m), plant spread North-South (m), canopy volume (m3), number of flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit set (%), yield per plant (kg), yield per hectare (t) and fruit weight (g) were recorded in treatment T4 (boron 0.6%+zinc 0.6%). Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that the combined application of boron (0.6%) and zinc (0.6%) effectively improves the growth and yield of pomegranate plants by influencing the various physiological processes like cell division, photosynthesis, sugar translocation etc. The pre-harvest application of these micronutrients in combination can be effectively adopted as a nutrient management strategy to improve the productivity and profitability of pomegranate cultivation in similar agro-climatic regions.