Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2000: 2(2): 98-101

Flowering scenario in commercial cultivars of jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) under Indian arid ecosystem.

Vishal Nath; Bhargava, R

National Research Centre for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner 334 006 (Rajasthan), India.

The flowering of Z. mauritiana cultivars (Gola, Kaithali, Banarsi Kadaka, Umran, Mundia, and Seb) at six locations in India (Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh; Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat; and Jobner, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Hisar, Rajasthan) was studied. Irrespective of cultivar, flowering was completed by 5 September at Anantpur, while it continued up to 29 November at Hisar. In Rajasthan, flowering duration was, approximately, from 24 July to 10 November. The peak of flowering was observed between 17 June and 30 August in southern India and from 27 August to 22 October in northern India. Flowering was generally dependent on temperature and relative humidity, particularly on the variation between maximum and minimum temperature. A maximum temperature of 32.4-36.9 degrees C and a minimum temperature of 20.7-25.3 degrees C, along with a temperature difference of 8.6-13.3 degrees C and morning relative humidity of 70.6-82.5%, prevailing continuously for a minimum of 1 month induced profuse flowering in all cultivars across the arid region.