Reproductive Biology of Pomegranate from Flowering to Fruit Development

Pomegranate, Punica granatum, is valued for its juice-containing arils and is consumed as fresh fruit, juice and in a wide range of products containing pomegranate components. Fruit development requires the coordination of a number of key reproductive processes and is the culmination of a series of complex reproductive events. This paper will discuss aspects of the reproductive biology of pomegranate including flower development, pollination, bisexual and male flower types, fruit attributes related to size, flower vigor, flower receptivity, and aril development. Key reproductive choices and how these factors impact pomegranate fruit production and size will be discussed.