Fruit crops of Indian semi-arid regions: significance, conservation and utilization strategies—a review

Authors

  • A K Singh ICAR-CIAH, RS, Central Horticultural Experimental Station, Vejalpur, Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat,India
  • Vikas Yadav ICAR-CIAH, RS, Central Horticultural Experimental Station, Vejalpur, Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat,India
  • L P Yadav ICAR-CIAH, RS, Central Horticultural Experimental Station, Vejalpur, Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat,India
  • Gangadhara K ICAR-CIAH, RS, Central Horticultural Experimental Station, Vejalpur, Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat,India
  • V V Appa Rao ICAR-CIAH, RS, Central Horticultural Experimental Station, Vejalpur, Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat,India
  • Anil ICAR-CIAH, RS, Central Horticultural Experimental Station, Vejalpur, Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat,India
  • Jagdish Rane ICAR-CIAH, RS, Central Horticultural Experimental Station, Vejalpur, Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat,India
  • Anand Sahil ICAR-CIAH, RS, Central Horticultural Experimental Station, Vejalpur, Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat,India

Keywords:

Semi-arid, Minor fruit, Biodiversity, Varieties, Production technology

Abstract

Today, there is a significant demand for nutrient-dense fruits to enhance nutritional and metabolic health in humans. The
production of commercial fruit crops is becoming increasingly reliant on inputs-dependent to cope with the losses caused from
biotic and abiotic stresses. The region is characterized by severe environmental constraints, making the cultivation of traditional
crops unprofitable. Currently, climatic conditions in semi-arid regions are changing, with issues like frost and low temperatures
posing challenges for cultivation of many crops. Underutilized semi-arid fruits refer as high nutritional value, medicinal properties,
and resilience in adverse soil and climatic conditions; have not received the desired attention.These semi-arid fruits offer numerous
advantages, including ease of cultivation, hardiness, and resilience to climate changes, compared to major commercially grown
crops. Technologies have been standardized for the large-scale multiplication of quality planting material of semi-arid zone fruits.
Moreover, local communities are well-informed about the nutritional and medicinal properties of these crops. However, these
lesser- known semi-arid fruits are an essential part of traditional foods, particularly in rural areas and among tribal communities.
This review provides an overview of the technologies developed on semi-arid fruit crops that can transform semi-arid ecosystems
into horticultural hubs, offering food, nutrition, and livelihood security to the residents.

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Published

2025-06-13

How to Cite

Singh, A. K. ., Yadav, V. ., L P Yadav, Gangadhara K, Rao, V. V. A. ., Anil, Rane, J. ., & Sahil, A. . (2025). Fruit crops of Indian semi-arid regions: significance, conservation and utilization strategies—a review. Current Horticulture, 13(2), 13–27. Retrieved from https://www.currenthorticulture.com/index.php/CURHOR/article/view/251

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025): April-June 2025

Section

Review Article

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