Studies on fruit growth and development in pomegranate

Studies on fruit growth and development in pomegranate were conducted to ascertain the proper stage of maturity under sub-tropical conditions. The fruits of Kandhari, Nabha and and Ganesh cultivars showed sigmoid pattern of growth. The size and weight of the fruit increased upto 150 days after anthesis and then a marginal increase was observed up to 160 days. Specific gravity of the fruit decreased during development from anthesis to maturity. The initial elongated oval shape of immature fruit changed to round at harvest maturity. Texture of the fruit remained smooth during the period of growth. Fruit colour changed from light green to deep red in cv. Kandhari and from light green to yellow green with light red tinge in Nabha and Ganesh at maturity. The fruits of pomegranate cvs. Kandhari, Nabha and Ganesh took 140 days after anthesis to attain harvest maturity.