Ziziphus mauritiana is a vigorously growing tree native to India, China, and Afghanistan that is cultivated for its edible fruits. The tree is tolerant of a range of climates and soils and produces oval or round green to brown fruits that are consumed fresh, candied, or made into drinks and pickles. While the tree faces some pest and disease pressures, it provides food, fodder, medicine and other uses making it an important cultivated species.

1. Ziziphus mauritiana
Submitted By:
Pradeep Paudel
B.Sc Ag, 5th Semester
Exam Roll No: 1266
Submitted To:
Asst.Prof Udit Prakash Sigdel
Department of Agricultural extension
and Rural Sociology
Agriculture & Forestry University

2. Introduction
Vigorously growing tree of Rhamnaceae family
Erect or bushy, wide spreading branches
Five petalled yellow flowers on axil
Oval, round or oblong, green to brown fruit
Glossy, dark green leaves

3. Origin
Native to India, China, Afganistan
Now, cultivated throughout its natural range
More found in drier regions
Mostly grown in China, India & Australia
Wild varieties found in Nepal too

4. Varieties
More than 90 varieties in India only
High Pulp: Banarasi Karaka & Desi Alwar
Commercially best are Kaithli & Sunauri 5
Mudia Murhara also used in breeding
Apple Ber, Kashi Ber grown in Nepal

5. Climate
Full sunlight required for high production
Commercially cultivated upto 1000 masl
Sensitive to frost
Tolerates upto 48 degree celsius
Annual rainfall of 15-225 cm

6. Soil
Sandy loam, neutral to slightly alkaline
Prefers good drainage
Can tolerate waterlogging & drought too
Grows well on river beds
Tolerates slight salinity

7. Propagation
Now, vegetative propagation preferred
Shield, T & Patch budding are famous
Indian Jujube widely grown from seeds
Rootstock of wild, native variety taken
Vegetative propagation yields faster

8. Cultural Operations
Untrimmed trees grown at wider spacing
FYM & ash fertilizers added timely
Prunnig activities done by commercial growers
Results higher yield with great quality
Irrigation in hot summers

9. Season & Harvest
Ripening varies with cultivars
From Oct to Feb to late April
Picked manually by using ladder
Harvests wrapped in cloth & then cartoons
Then, transported to distant market

10. Yield
Seedling trees: 5000-10000 small fruits
Superior Varieties yield upto 30000 fruits
Good cultural acts boosts yield & quality
More preferred by farmers
Hybrid Varieties yields better

11. Pests
Fruit flies of Carpomyia species
Leaf-eating caterpillar, Porthmologa paraclina
Mite, Larvacarus transitans
Aphids, & other caterpillars
Wooly Aphids, Scale Insects

12. Diseases
Powdery mildew (Oidium sp.)
Sooty mold (Cladosporium zizyphi)
Cercospora spp. and Isariopsis indica var. zizyphi
Phakopsora zizyphivulgaris causes leaf rust
Others: Alternaria, Bipolaris, Fusarium

13. Food Uses
Ripe fruits are mostly consumed raw,
Slightly underripe fruits are candied pricking,
Cold drinks & Jujube wine
Pickles by fermentation process
Leaves & seed kernels also used as food

14. Other Uses
As timber & firewoods
Fodder for cattles, and livestocks
Used in dyeing
Used as medicine in Aayurveda
Against cuts, ulcers, laxative, antivomiting

15. References
https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/i
ndian_jujube.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultur
al-and-biological-sciences/jujube
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziziphus