Varieties

       Wild pomegranate is too acidic and of little value except as souring agent (anardana). The double-flowered pomegranates (which do not bear fruits) are grown in parks and ornamental gardens for their beautiful red flowers.

         The types under cultivation in the country are of seedling origin from the varieties introduced from neighbouring countries. Most of them are known by the names of the new places where they were introduced, adapted and cultivated. These cannot be considered as distinct varieties. Varietal improvement in pomegranate has been attempted both by selection of promising types from the indigenous ones and through controlled hybridization. Exotic introductions including Russian cultivars under the climatic conditions of Deccan plateau give sparse flowering, poor fruit set of highly acidic fruits with hard seeds, but very attractive red coloured arils perhaps due to lack of sufficient chilling requirement.

             Alandi, Karadi and Muskati in Maharashtra; Madhugiri and Bassein Seedless in Karnataka; Dholka in Gujarat; Jodhpuri Red, Jodhpuri White and Jalore Seedless in Rajasthan; Chawla, Nabha and Country Large Red in Haryana; and Velludu in Tamil Nadu are traditionally identified popular cultivars. These are seedling types, originated from locally-grown pomegranates which yield medium quality fruits. Of the types introduced at Kodur (Andhra Pradesh), Paper Shelled, Muskati Red and Spanish Ruby are recommended for cultivation under south Indian conditions.

Recently, Ganesh from Alandi; G 137 from Ganesh; Jyothi and IIHR Selection from Bassein Seedless, Yercaud 1 and Co 1 are some promising types from locally-available material.