Published Paper Details:

Indian arid zone is characterized by high temperature and low and variable precipitation, which limit the scope for high crop productivity. However, these conditions greatly favor the development of high quality produce in a number of fruit crops such as date palm, ber, aonla, pomegranate, kinnow, lasoda and annona. The existing low productivity could be increased by following improved new technologies and inputs. It is now realized that there is a limited scope for quantum jump in fruit production in the traditional production areas. The amelioration of the extreme conditions is also considered vital for life support to the inhabitants of this area. The recent awareness regarding the potential of these ecologically fragile lands for production of quality produce has not only opened up scope for providing nutritional sustainability for the people of this region, but also for bringing in new areas to increase horticultural production (More et al., 2012). The area and yield potential of arid horticultural crops has increased many-fold because of the development of new varieties and agro-techniques in arid region.