Pomology 

 Pomology refers to study of fruit crops.It is also known as fruticulture.

The word Pomology is made up of the Latin language word 'Pomum' meaning 'fruits' and Greek language word 'logy' meaning 'science'

A fruit in Horticulture science represents a plant, the product of which is edible after ripening.



 

Scope of pomology 
 
  • India is the second largest country in fruit production in the world next to china.
  • India rank first in Mango, Coconut,Banana, papaya and pomegranate production.
  • The recommended quantity of fruit consumption is 203 gram per capita per day,but the availability is 207.9 gram per day.
  • The Cultivation of fruit crops gives high productivity in all crops.
  • The Cultivation of fruit crops leads to high net profit.
  • Fruit crops have potential with a lot of opportunities  for employment generation , foreign generation earnings, and overall supporting livelihood sustenance of mankind at large.
  • Fruits have high Nutrition.Some fruits such as cashew nuts, almonds are rich in protein and fats and in many areas banana is used as stable food.
  • Fruit crops such as mango,grapes are used as raw material for value added product production.
  • Indian products have a great demand in abroad. Exporting these products gives foreign exchange to the country.

Classification of fruit crops 

a)Based on climatic conditions
  • Temperature crops - Apple,pear, peach,plum,cherry, strawberry etc.
  • Tropical crops - Mango,Guava,pineapple,sapota, jackfruit, custard apple etc.
  • Sub- tropical crops  - Fig,ber, pomegranate,grape,anola,avacado,citrus etc.

b) Based on nature of growth 
  • Herbaceous - pineapple, banana, strawberry
  • Shurbaceous - karonda, pomegranate
  • Woody/Tree - mango,ber, sapota,guava, apple, jackfruit
  • Climber - grape, kiwi 
c) Based on fruit type
  • Berry - Banana, papaya, grape, sapota, kiwi, avacado, guava
  • Pome - Apple,pear, loquat
  • Drupe/stone - mango,peach,ber, cherry,jamun
  • Hesperidium - citrus
  • Nut - Rambutan,walnut, litchi, chestnut
  • Capsule - anola,carambola
  • Aggregate fruit - Raspberry, custard apple, strawberry, blackberry
  • Psorosis - jackfruit , pineapple, mulberry, breadfruit
  • Syconus - Fig
d) Based on continuation of growth
  • Evergreen - mango, citrus, litchi, sapota etc
  • Deciduous - Apple, peach,pear,plum etc
e) Based on photoperiod requirement
  • Shortday plant - plants require less than 12 hrs light per day 
            Example - strawberry, pineapple 
  • Longday plant - plants require 12 hrs or more light per day
           Example - passion fruit, apple
  • Day neutral plant - not affected by daylight or light period
           Example - papaya, guava, banana 




Reference:
    Commercial fruits by S.P.Singh
    Introduction of Horticulture by N.kumar