| The flowering
of Z. mauritiana cultivars (Gola, Kaithali, Banarsi Kadaka, Umran,
Mundia, and Seb) at six locations in India (Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh,
Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, and Jobner, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Hisar,
Rajasthan) was studied. Irrespective of cultivar, flowering was
completed by 5 September at Anantpur, while it continued up to 29
November at Hisar. In Rajasthan, flowering duration was, approximately,
from 24 July to 10 November. The peak of flowering was observed between
17 June and 30 August in southern India and from 27 August to 22
October in northern India. Flowering was generally dependent on
temperature and relative humidity, particularly on the variation
between maximum and minimum temperature. A maximum temperature of
32.4-36.9 deg C and a minimum temperature of 20.7-25.3 deg C, along with
a temperature difference of 8.6-13.3 deg C and morning relative
humidity of 70.6-82.5%, prevailing continuously for a minimum of 1
month induced profuse flowering in all cultivars across the arid
region. |
