Production Technology of Arid Fruit Crops
Course Overview
Official detailed syllabus from the ICAR Sixth Deans’ Committee curriculum.
Course Objectives
i. To impart basic knowledge about the arid fruit crops ii. To familiarize students with the latest developments and trends in production technology of important arid fruit crops
Theory Syllabus
Importance, scope and limitations of arid and semi-arid zones, Distribution of Agro-climatic arid and semi-arid zones, soil and water conservation methods-terraces, contour bunds etc. Methods of control and impounding of run-off water - farm ponds, trenches, macro catch pits etc. In-situ water harvesting methods, micro catchment, different types of tree basins etc. Methods of reducing evapotranspiration, use of shelter belts, mulches, anti transpirants, growth regulators, etc. micro systems of irrigation etc. Characteristic feature of arid fruit crops, bearing habit, flowering and fruit set, improved varieties, planting techniques, propagation, canopy management, nutrient and weed management, Special production problems, insect-pests, diseases and their control measures, Post- harvest technology, harvest indices, harvesting methods, grading, packaging and storage of the following crops: ber, aonla, pomegranate, jamun, bael, date palm, phalsa, fig, custard apple, karonda, prickly pear, lasora, sea buckthorn, pistachio and wood apple
Practical Syllabus
Identification of various arid fruit crops, Planning and layout of orchards, propagation methods in arid fruit crops, training and pruning of orchard trees, preparation of fertilizer mixtures and field application, leaf sampling and nutrient analysis, preparation and application of growth regulators, layout of different irrigation systems, Identification and management of nutritional disorders, insect- pest and disease management, maturity standards, harvesting, grading, packaging and storage.
Suggested Readings
1. Chattopadhyay T K 2013. A Textbook on Pomology Vol I-IV. Kalyani Publications. New Delhi.
2. Hiwale S 2015. Sustainable Horticulture in Semiarid Drylands. Springer.
3. ICAR 2019. Handbook of Horticulture (Vol I and II). ICAR Publications. New Delhi.
4. Krishna H and Sharma R R 2017. Fruit Production- Minor Fruits. Daya Publishing House, Delhi.
5. Peter K V 2010. Underutilized and Underexploited Horticultural Crops. NIPA, New Delhi.
6. Saroj P L and Awasthi O P. 2005. Advances in Arid Horticulture, Vol II: Production Technology of Arid and Semiarid Fruits. IBDC, Lucknow.
7. Sontakke M B. 2014. Production and Management of Fruit Crops in Arid/Drylands. Agrotech Publishing Academy, Udaipur (Rajasthan).