Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
remain green. Soil moisture stress coinciding with maturation improves
TSS and reduces acidity. Trees attain larger canopy in tropical climate than
in subtropical climate. Mandarins produced in northeast India are flatter
and smaller having no neck while fruits produced in central Maharashtra
are larger with neck (Bose, et al., 1999). Cool weather in subtropics and
moisture stress in tropics are known to condition a major part of the shoots
to flower at one time during the year. More pronounced influence of tem-
perature is seen on maturation of fruits.
3.5.3 GUAVA
In areas having distinct winter season, the yield increases and fruit quality
improves. It grows best with an annual rainfall around 1000 mm restricted
between June and September. However young plants are susceptible to
drought and cold. Guava is widely distributed with highest productivity in
Gujarat although best quality fruits are produced in Uttar Pradesh (Bose,
et al., 1999). The fruit availability is markedly governed by agro climatic
conditions (Sankaran et al., 2008). Among the tropical and subtropical
fruits, Guava is more tolerant to environmental stresses. The optimum
temperature lies between 23°C and 28°C.
3.5.4 CUSTARD APPLE
The temperatures above 40°C and below freezing point and low humidity
are harmful for custard apple cultivation. No fruit set occurs in northern
India due to high temperature and dry condition. For the growth and fruit-
ing of custard apple, an annual rainfall of 800 mm is considered adequate.
Although plants can tolerate extreme climatic conditions, yet for good
fruiting, high humidity, occasional rains and warm temperatures are re-
quired (Bose et al., 1999).
3.5.5 AONLA
Aonla is a subtropical fruit. However it can grow under tropical condi-
tions. Its cultivation is best suited in places with dry summer and frost-free
winter. It is adaptable to a wide range of climatic conditions from seacoast
