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

Abstract

The ripening pattern of six commercial cultivars of Indian jujube (Gola, Kaithali, Banarsi Kadaka, Umran, Mundia and Seb), at six different locations (Anantapur, Sardarkrushinagar, Jobner, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Hisar) situated in the arid part of the country from south to north was studied. Inference were drawn based on pooled data on ripening period along with meteorological parameters for five years. Ripening i~ ber is a prolonged process which starts from first week of November in south and continues up to mid of April in north India. In general, the peak of ripening in jujube cultivars takes place between December to March at different locations. Irrespective of cultivars, the peak ripening takes place between last week of November and first week of January in southern region

.ereas in north part, peak starts from 10th January and continues up to 30th March. The prevailing maximum and minimum temperature of 23.3-34.4 and 6.2-19.1 "C, respectively, along with a temperature difference of 11.9-18.3°e and morning relative humidity of 49.6- 87.7% at least for one month induces peak of ripening in Indian jujube. Since these climatic conditions occur at different time at different locations, therefore the ripening period in ber cultivars varies with latitude and longitude.