Review on Some Features of the Chinese Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)

Abstract

The Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), originating from China, with a history of over 4000 years, is one of the major fruit crops cultivated in China and on important areas in Central Asia, India, Iran, the Middle East etc. The high resistances to drought, salty soils and similar climate to that of China recommend this fruit tree as a valuable crop, especially in the context of climate changes and extended desertification. Chinese jujube has a high tolerance to pests and disease, being suitable for organic farming. The lack of divulgative papers on jujube true nutritional, medicinal and economic value, makes it still unknown for the great part of Romanian and European consumers, intensive advertising campaign is needed. The aim of this review is to highlight the requirements of the Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) in regards to the soil, water, climate as well as its high nutritional and medicinal values.

Keywords

• climate changes
• fruits
• nutraceutical properties
• resistance to drought.