Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2001: 3(1): 44-47

Ripening pattern of commercial jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) cultivars in Indian arid ecosystem

Vishal Nath; Bhargava, R

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

The variations in the ripening time of jujube (Z. mauritiana) cultivars Gola, Kaithali, Banarsi Kadaka, Umran, Mundia and Seb under the arid regions of Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh; Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat; Jobner, Jodhpur and Bikaner, Rajasthan; and Hisar, Haryana, India were determined. Meteorological data, including the minimum and maximum temperature, and morning and evening relative humidity were recorded during 1986-90 in all locations except for Bikaner for which meteorological data were recorded during 1994-98. Irrespective of cultivars, the peak ripening of jujube was between the last week of November and the first week of January in the southern region of India and between the 10th of January and 30th of March in the northern regions of India. The prevailing maximum (23.3-34.4 degrees C) and minimum (6.2-19.1 degrees ) temperatures, the temperature difference of 11.9-18.3 degrees C and the morning relative humidity of 49.6-87.7% that lasts for at least a month induced the peak ripening in jujube. The variations in the climatic conditions and their durations in the locations studied accounted for the variations in the ripening pattern of jujube.