Climate variability during flowering and fruiting reduces fruit yield of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) in Western Rajasthan

Abstract

The arid regions of western Rajasthan have multiple environmental adversities besides low and erratic rainfall. The region also faces frequent drought and often with failure of annual crops. Indian jujube or ber is perennial drought hardy multipurpose fruit species suitable for these areas which fits well in the integrated farming system. Recent years have witnessed climatic variability especially in post monsoon season usually with rise in temperature and decline in relative humidity. An insight into the post monsoon weather data from 2015-17 have revealed definite change in these parameters which led to decreased fruit set and ultimately reduction in total fruit yield. Early varieties like CAZRI Gola and Gola maintain higher yield even under climatic variable situation. Climate change being a global issue calls for immediate adaptive measures such as modification in microclimate and rescheduling the pruning to minimize the adverse impact of climatic variability.