Abstract
Among a number of arid zone plant species, Jojoba, Simmondsia chinensis (Link.) Schneid., being an evergreen, perennial multistemmic and multipurpose plant has attracted attention due to its economical value, potential by products and ability to withstand the desert environment. The oil extracted from jojoba seeds usually called as "Liquid gold" is the alternative of sperm-whale fish's oil. As this plant was originated from the USA and was introduced in the country on trial basis, thus most of the farmers and even some of the scientists are not familiar with its cultivation. Realizing the situation, a pioneer study was conducted on the sand dunes of Cholistan desert under typical desert conditions. Six irrigation techniques i.e. PVC pipe, plastic bags pitchers, pits, furrows and drip irrigation were included in this study. The maximum plant height of 47.4 cm was recorded in plants raised in pits, followed by PVC pipe (47.4 cm) and drip irrigation (45.1 cm). The maximum crown diameter of 44.5 cm was observed in pits followed by PVC pipe (39.3 cm) and drip irrigation treatment (35.0 cm). The maximum number of branches (22.8) was found in plants raised in pits followed by PVC pipe (17.6) and drip irrigation (17.3). The root behavior varied among different treatments.
