ADVISORY FOR POMEGRANATE CROP HIT BY
UNSEASONAL RAINS AND HAIL STORM (MARCH 2023)
Unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms in various states might damage agriculture and horticulture crops in
different states in India. The extent of losses may vary from mild to 100% in different crops. Though in
some cases the losses are irreparable, in others where the damage is less the crop can be saved. The advisory
for pomegranate crop that might have been damaged to varying extents in different stages is given below
based on crop stage.
S. No Stage / Extent of RECOMMENDATION
damage
1. All Fruits damaged and Remove and discard fruits, prune broken and shredded branches put
Branches broken / into compost pit, apply 10% Bordeaux paste on cut ends, followed by
shredded spray of 1% Bordeaux mixture. Apply light dose of fertilizers and leave
the crop on rest, follow IDIPM to prepare for next crop/bahar.
2. Fruits Ready for Harvest Harvest the damaged fruits and sell if fruits do not show rotting,
otherwise put in compost pit. A protective spray of boric acid @ 2 g/L
before harvest will help avoid rotting in fruits with surface injury. The
heavily damaged fruits can be used for oil extraction from seeds; if such
provision is there with some FPOs/companies these fruits can be
sold/used for virgin pomegranate seed oil.
3. Fruits to be harvested Follow Spray/Fertigation Schedule given below in Table 1
after one month
4. Fruit lemon size If 75% fruits on plants are damaged, it better to remove all fruits and
prepare for next bahar (June- July)
If 25% or less fruits damaged, remove affected fruits and protect
remaining fruits with Spray / Fertigation Schedule given below in
Table 1, followed by IDIPM Schedule
5. Flowering/Fruit set Remove affected flower buds/fruits. Take Spray / Fertigation Schedule
started given below in Table 1, followed by IDIPM Schedule. Wait for more
flowering and fruit set. If satisfactory flowering and fruit set is observed
continue with IDIPM or otherwise leave orchard on rest and prepare
for next crop season
6. Non-bearing trees/in rest, Prune and remove affected branches, paste cut ends with 10% Bordeaux
with shredded leaves and paste, followed by spray of 1% Bordeaux mixture. Follow IDIPM
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branches Schedule thereafter.
7. Leaves fallen, fruits If fruits received few and minor injuries take recommended
attached with some scars Spray/Fertigation Schedule given below in Table 1.
TABLE 1: SPRAY/FERTIGATION SCHEDULE
S. Days after Spray/fertigate
No. Hailstorm
i. As early as possible Boric Acid @ 2 g/L + Zinc Sulphate @ 2.5 g/L + quick lime @
1.25 g/L + Mancozeb @ 2.5 g/L
ii. 07 -10 Spray Carbendazim 50% WP @ 2 g/L + Bronopol (95%) @ 0.5 g/L
Fertigate/drench soil (weekly) with urea @ 40 g/plant + 0:52:34 –
Mono Potassium Phosphate @ 20 g/plant and 0:0:50- Potassium
sulphate @ 15 g/plant + Humic acid @10 ml/plant
iv. 10-13 Take 1 spray of Salicylic acid @ 30 g/100 litre water
v. 14-17 Micronutrient mixture @ 2 g/L.
Only in bacterial blight affected orchards Streptocycline
(Streptomycin sulphate 90% + Tetracycline hydrochloride 10%) @
0.5 g/L should be taken.
INTEGRATED DISEASE AND INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT (IDIPM) SCHEDULE
For crop in rest period: Take sprays of Bordeaux mixture (1%) altered with 2-bromo, 2-nitro
propane-1, 3-diol @ 0.5 g/L mixed with copper based formulations like copper oxychloride @ 2.5 g/
L OR Copper hydroxide @ 2.0 g/L at 10-15 days’ intervals.
For crop in fruiting: Spray Bordeaux mixture (0.5%), altered with Streptocycline @ 0.5g/L OR 2-
bromo, 2-nitro propane-1, 3-diol @ 0.5 g/L mixed with copper based formulations like copper
oxychloride OR copper hydroxide @ 2.0 - 2.5 g/L OR Carbendazim 50% WP @ 2 g/L OR
appropriate fungicides depending on fungal problems present. Take sprays at 7 -10 days interval
depending on local climate. Mix suitable insecticides if required.
Insecticide sprays may be taken as per requirement.
Orchards not having bacterial blight should not take streptocycline and 2-bromo, 2-nitro
propane-1, 3-diol. Only fungicide and insecticide sprays should be taken
Recommended fertilizer/fertigation application may be taken as per stage and age of crop.
NOTE: For Bahar wise detailed schedules/advisories check website
[Link]
Contributors: Jyotsana Sharma, Somnath Pokhare, N. V. Singh., Manjunatha N.,
Mallikarjun and Rajiv Marathe ICAR-NRCP, Solapur
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