Interactive effects of micronutrients, kaolin and mulching under drip irrigation system in managing fruit cracking of pomegranate (Punica granatum)

Cracking of pomegranate fruit is a general problem throughout its growing areas and among all cultivars worldwide, but, the magnitude of the problem is more in harsh climatic conditions of arid regions. Aqueous solutions of borax (0.4%), zinc sulfate (0.5%), kaolin (4.0%) alone or in combinations were applied on pomegranate plant at full bloom and 1 month after full bloom. Foliar application of borax, zinc sulfate and kaolin with mulching of tree basin with black polythene sheet (150 mu) is more effective in minimizing fruit cracking rather than sprays alone. Moreover, mulching also contributed to conserve soil moisture. This study therefore, established the fact that cracking could be controlled by proper irrigation (by drip irrigation system in the present study), soil moisture conservation (by mulching) and balanced nutrients (by 0.4% borax and 0.5% zinc sulfate) besides regulation of plant water relations (by foliar sprays of 4% kaolin). Thus, a combination of these treatments shall result in high marketable yield of pomegranate in arid areas.