ABSTRACT
The area expansion and yield potential of arid horticultural crops has increased many folds because of development of new varieties and advancement in production techniques in arid region. The soils of the north-western arid region described as 'desert soils' and 'grey brown soils' of the Order Aridisols are light textured. Since, it has tremendous scope of export of this crop from semi-arid and arid regions of the country. Date palm is most suitable fruit tree of hot arid region and it is grown in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana in more than 12, 493 ha and producing 85,000 tonnes fresh fruit. In arid region, the major constraint in commercial cultivation of arid horticultural crops is water resources. Although, great efforts have been made to develop technology compatible for commercial production of arid horticultural crops, yet there is a need to address various issues for further refinement of technology, improvement in socioeconomic status of arid region and development of sustainable agro-horti-system.
