Articles
Performance of pomegranate cultivars at different elevations in the southwestern United States
Article number
1464_16
Pages
119 – 126
Language
English
Abstract
Pomegranates (Punica granatum L.) are well adapted to the semi-arid climate in the southwestern United States, requiring less water and labor input than other crops.
Two experiments were conducted to determine vegetative and reproductive development of 15 cultivars at different elevations in Arizona.
The first study evaluated cultivars growing at three elevations, 50, 716, and 1124 m in USDA zones 10a, 9b, and 8b.
The second study evaluated these cultivars at three sites with elevation at 716, 900, and 1,313 m elevation in USDA climate zones 9b, 8b, and 8a.
Plant growth, survival, phenology, and harvest differed between years, sites, and cultivars.
Bud break was strongly correlated with site location and started between early February to late March.
Anthesis began 29 to 49 days after budbreak.
Budbreak differed between cultivars and there were 30 or more days between the emergence of the first and last plant to break bud in spring in each location.
Canopy size differed by site elevation and cultivar.
Fruit yield and average fruit weight differed between sites and cultivars.
Total soluble solids were higher in fruit grown at higher elevation and varied by cultivar.
Aril colors ranged from white, light to dark pink, and light to dark red and differed between sites and cultivars.
Two experiments were conducted to determine vegetative and reproductive development of 15 cultivars at different elevations in Arizona.
The first study evaluated cultivars growing at three elevations, 50, 716, and 1124 m in USDA zones 10a, 9b, and 8b.
The second study evaluated these cultivars at three sites with elevation at 716, 900, and 1,313 m elevation in USDA climate zones 9b, 8b, and 8a.
Plant growth, survival, phenology, and harvest differed between years, sites, and cultivars.
Bud break was strongly correlated with site location and started between early February to late March.
Anthesis began 29 to 49 days after budbreak.
Budbreak differed between cultivars and there were 30 or more days between the emergence of the first and last plant to break bud in spring in each location.
Canopy size differed by site elevation and cultivar.
Fruit yield and average fruit weight differed between sites and cultivars.
Total soluble solids were higher in fruit grown at higher elevation and varied by cultivar.
Aril colors ranged from white, light to dark pink, and light to dark red and differed between sites and cultivars.
Authors
U.K. Schuch, G.C. Wright
Keywords
semi-arid climate, plant growth, phenology, fruit yield
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