Water Management for Pomegranate Orchards

Pomegranate has been an export-oriented crop for the last one or two decades and its area and production is growing rapidly in India. Domestic production and export demand are the driving forces behind the country's cultivation. India ranks first in the world in pomegranate production and Maharashtra is leading in pomegranate production in the country. Pomegranate production in Maharashtra is water deficient and hence water management is very important for pomegranate orchards to achieve targeted productivity. Therefore crops need to be irrigated as required. The water requirement of pomegranate orchards depends on the age of the plant, fruit load, season and soil type. In this study, we have given average monthly irrigation water requirement for pomegranate orchards in Maharashtra according to the age of the orchards. Also we have given the average irrigation water requirement in Ambe, Mrig and Hasta bahars of pomegranate orchards according to their age, season and growth stages.