Climatic Zones Of Horticultural Crops

Climate is one of the important complex factors which influence the fruit production. It includes several basic environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall, humidity and light. The Indian union fruit growing zones are based on the climatic factors. These zones are tropical, Sub-tropical, temperate and arid zone. However, there are certain exceptions to this for example, grape is a subtropical fruit, can be grown in temperate zone, Mango a tropical fruit, can be grown in subtropical zone.

1) Temperate zones: (Climatic Zones Of Horticultural Crops)

Temperate fruits grow successfully in cold regions where temperature falls below freezing point during winter. During cold season, the trees shed their leaves and under go into rest period for breaking this rest period, a definite chilling period is required. This zones fruit includes apple, pear, walnut, pear, almond, plum, peaches, strawberry, cherry etc. Temperate zones states are Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, U.P., Arunachal Pradesh, Kulu valley parts in Punjab, and nilgiris hills of Tamil Nadu.

2) Tropical Zones: (Climatic Zones Of Horticultural Crops)

This class requires hot and humid climate in summer and mild winter. It includes only evergreen fruits such as mango, Sapota, Papaya, Cashew, Pineapple, Banana etc. In tropical fruit zones state includes are west Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Maharashtra.

3) Sub Tropical Zones: (Climatic Zones Of Horticultural Crops)

This class of fruit grows mostly in plains. Where climate is hot and comparatively dry and winter is less severe than temperate zone. This class includes fruits likes Citrus, Phalsa, fig and pomegranate sub tropical states are plains of Punjab, U.P. some district of Bihar, M.P. and some parts of Maharashtra.

4) Arid Zones: (Climatic Zones Of Horticultural Crops)

In arid zones rain is very low and its distribution in erratic leading to low plants stand and productivity. The water storage capacity of soil in these areas is very low, mainly. Poor textured and shallow soils. In this class fruits include Ber, custard apple, Aonla, Tamarind.