Assessment of Fruiting Behaviour, Quality Attributes and Stress Tolerance of Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) Cultivars under Semi-Arid Conditions of Haryana

Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) is a vital agroforestry species, particularly suited for cultivation in semi-arid ecosystems, owing to its multifaceted economic, nutritional, and ecological significance. Haryana's semi-arid to arid climate offers an optimal environment for Ber cultivation, characterised by well-drained soils, moderate temperatures, and limited water availability. This study aims to assess the phenological, qualitative, and stress tolerance characteristics of diverse Ber cultivars under the semi-arid conditions of Haryana, India. A comprehensive evaluation was performed across multiple parameters, including fruit weight, fruit width, pulp-to-stone ratio, and stone dimensional characteristics. Narendra Ber Selection 1 emerged as the superior cultivar, with the highest values for fruit weight, fruit width, pulp weight, stone width, and stone weight, followed by the Umran cultivar. Gola exhibited early fruit maturity, while Umran was identified as a late-maturing cultivar. Regarding quality attributes, Chhuhara recorded the highest Total Soluble Solids (TSS) content and TSS/acid ratio, underscoring its potential for superior flavour profiles. From a phytopathological perspective, all cultivars, with the exception of Gola and Kaithli, demonstrated resistance to fruit fly (Carpomyia vesuviana) infestation, whereas Kaithli was found to be highly susceptible to powdery mildew (Oidium erysiphoides). Gola, Umran, and Chhuhara exhibited varying degrees of susceptibility to mildew, with Chhuhara being particularly vulnerable to frost injury during critical phenological phases. The differential response of these cultivars to abiotic stressors, such as frost, and biotic stressors, such as insect pests and fungal pathogens, provides essential insights for breeding programs aimed at enhancing resilience in semi-arid climates. The findings indicate that the Gola cultivar is best suited for early-season harvest, Narendra Ber Selection 1 excels in mid-season production, and Umran is optimal for late-season cultivation. These results offer a strategic framework for cultivar selection based on maturity timing and stress resistance, with broad implications for optimising Ber cultivation in semi-arid regions.