Almond is an important stone fruit grown in Pakistan, mainly in Baluchistan province. It has high nutritional value due to its oil content. Almonds must have first been domesticated in the Mediterranean region between 3000-2000 BC. Propagation involves preparing pits 1-2 months before transplanting in November/December. Pollinizers are also needed and should be uniformly planted. Planting is done on a square system of 6.5x6.5 meters with 109 trees per acre. Pruning and fertilization is also described.

1. Almond

2. Botany
• Technical Name:
Prunus amygdalus
Family:
Rosacea

3. Origin And
History
The wild form of domesticated almond
grows in the Mediterranean region in
parts of the Levant.
Almonds must first have been taken into
cultivation in this region.
Domesticated almonds appear in
the Early Bronze Age (3000–2000 BC) of
the Near East, or possibly a little earlier.

4. Introduction
And
Importance
Almond (prunus amygdalus) is one of the
important stone fruit grown in Pakistan.
It is also included in nuts according to its
usage.
It is very delicious with high nutritional value
because of its oil contents.
Almond is a non-perishable fruit and can
easily be kept for a year or more when dried.
It is mainly grown in Baluchistan province in
Pakistan.

5. Propagation
• Pits should be prepared in November/December,1-2
month before transplanting.
• Almonds are self sterile and therefore farmers need to
plant one pollinizer/10 fruit trees in the orchard.
• Pollinizer should be uniformly spread to the orchard.
• Suitable age of nursery plant for transplanting: 1-1.5
years.
• Time for transplanting: January and February
• Time of annual flowering: Feb and March
• Time of harvest: September- October.

6. Spacing
Planting should be on
square system.
6.5*6.5m (20*20)
Trees/acre: 109
trees/acre.

7. Pruning
HeadingBack:
Immediately after
transplanting, plants are
headed back to a height
of 45-50 cm. The trees
should be left with 3-4
well spread branches as a
frame on which to train
the trees to a modified
leader system.
Annual Pruning:
One-year old wood is
pruned each year in
Dec/Jan. When tree is
completely dormant.

8. Water
Management
Annual water requirement is 300-400 mm.
Rooting depth:2-2.5 m.
Irrigation intervals: 10-15 days.
Growth periods most sensitive to water shortages are flowering
(Feb and March) and fruit development (April, May and June).
The perfect method of irrigation is a basin around each tree.
There should be channels connecting the basins so that irrigation of
the trees can be independent of the intercropped area between.

9. Fertilizers And
Manures
• Apply FYM around each tree at rate of 15-30 kg/tree
each winter season (Dec-Jan).
• Apply 3 kg SSP and 1-15 kg Urea/tree before flowering
(Dec-Jan).
• Irrigate immediately to incorporate fertilizer.
• 1-1.5 kg Urea should be applied after fruit setting and
before fruit attains 50% size ( April- May). This should be
immediately incorporated through irrigation.

10. Verities
• NWFP:
Jordonala, Non parral, Mission,
and Utra.
• Baluchistan:
Ktha, Kaghzi, Quetta selection.