Distribution Of Pomegranates and Other Deciduous Fruit Crops in Omani Mountains

Abstract

The Sultanate of Oman is characterized by a semi-arid climate with low precipitation and high temperature through most of the year. Despite of limited arable land and water resources, a diverse climate and topography encourages the cultivation of some temperate, subtropical and tropical fruit crops in the region. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) with other fruit crops such as lime, mangoes, coconuts, and pomegranates have significant economic and social values in their cultivation zones. Several fruit crops have been cultivated for centuries; these include pomegranates, apricot, peach, walnut, and pome fruits. Pomegranate is the most valuable fruit crop in this mountainous region. The villages of Al Jabal Al Akhdar are the largest producer of local pomegranates in the Sultanate of Oman. Variations in climate and geography may affect the cultivation of a wide range of tropical, subtropical, and temperate fruit crops all over Oman. The changing climate and geographical topography may affect the pomegranate as well as production of other deciduous fruit crops in future. Hence, a comprehensive map describing the climatic suitability and forecasts for distribution of fruit crops and their cultivation is needed for further research and successful fruit industryin the country. The overall objective of this research project is to study the status and distribution of deciduous fruit crops in the agricultural areas of the Hajar Mountains with emphasis on pomegranates grown in Al Jabal Al Akhdar (Nizwa) and WadiMistal (Nakhal) of Oman.

Keywords – Pomegranate, deciduous fruits, pomology, Climate, Sultanate of Oman, Punicagranatum