STUDIES ON FLORAL BIOLOGY IN POMEGRANATE CV. GANESH AND KANDHARI UNDER VALLEY CONDITIONS OF SRINAGAR (GARHWAL) (BEARING HABIT, TIME AND DURATION OF FLOWERING, BUD DEVELOPMENT, FLOWER CHARACTERS AND ANTHESIS)

The cultivars Ganesh and Kandhari were deciduous in nature under subtropical condition of Srinagar (Garhwal). The vegetative shoot emergence was occurred in the month of February. Both of the cultivars produce flowers once in a year during March under Srinagar (Garhwal) valley condition. As monthly observations the flowering under Srinagar conditions commences between last week of March to last week of May with peak period 30 days after opening of first flower. Total span of flowering takes 63 days in Ganesh and 64 days in Kandhari. The flowers were hermaphrodite male and intermediate with numerous stamens. The maximum rate of anthesis in both the two pomegranate cultivars was found between 10A.M.-12 Noon. Rise in temperature and fall in humidity were found to hasten anthesis.