Production Technology of Guava

Psidium guajava L.

13.1 Introduction

• Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an important tropical and subtropical fruit crop cultivated widely in India. It belongs to the family Myrtaceae. The crop is valued for its pleasant flavour, attractive pulp and high nutritional value, particularly its richness in vitamin C.
• Guava is a hardy fruit crop and can perform satisfactorily under a relatively wide range of soil and climatic conditions. The fruits are consumed mainly as fresh fruit, while they are also processed into jelly, jam, juice, nectar and other value-added products.

13.2 Scientific Classification

13.3 Botanical Description

• Guava is a small to medium-sized, evergreen or semi-evergreen fruit tree. The plant develops a spreading canopy with a relatively shallow root system.
• The young branches are green and become woody with age. The bark is smooth and characteristically flakes or peels off in patches.
• Leaves are simple, opposite and aromatic, with prominent veins. Flowers are generally borne singly or in small groups on the current season’s growth.
• The fruit is a berry. Depending upon the variety, the pulp may be white, cream, pink or red. Seeds are embedded within the fleshy pulp.

13.4 Climate Requirements

Guava is adapted to tropical and subtropical climates and can tolerate comparatively wide climatic variations.

A warm growing season is favourable for good vegetative growth, flowering and fruit development. The crop can tolerate relatively dry conditions once established, but adequate moisture is necessary during important stages of fruit development.

Important Climatic Conditions

• Warm tropical to subtropical climate
• Adequate sunlight
• Moderate moisture availability
• Dry conditions are useful for fruit quality
• Severe frost can damage young plants
• Excessive humidity may favour pest and disease development
• Guava is considered comparatively hardy and drought tolerant among fruit crops.

13.5 Soil Requirements

• Guava can be grown on a wide range of soils. However, deep, well-drained loamy soils are particularly suitable for commercial production.
• The crop can tolerate moderately poor soils better than many other fruit crops, but optimum growth and productivity are obtained when the soil has good fertility and drainage.
• Suitable Soil Conditions: Deep soil, Well-drained soil, Loam or sandy loam, Adequate organic matter, Slightly acidic to neutral soil reaction, Freedom from prolonged waterlogging
• Poor drainage should be avoided because prolonged waterlogging adversely affects root activity.

13.6 Important Varieties

Several guava varieties are cultivated in different parts of India.

• Allahabad Safeda: Allahabad Safeda is an important commercial variety. It produces fruits with white pulp, good quality and pleasant flavour.
• Lucknow-49: Lucknow-49, commonly known as Sardar, is an important commercial cultivar. It produces relatively large fruits and is widely cultivated.
• Lalit: Lalit is known for its attractive fruit characteristics and coloured pulp.
• Shweta: Shweta is a guava variety associated with desirable fruit quality.
• Other important cultivars include: Apple Colour, Chittidar, Arka Amulya, Arka Mridula, Pant Prabhat

13.7 Propagation

• Guava can be propagated through both sexual and vegetative methods.
• Seed Propagation: Propagation through seed is simple, but seedlings may show variation in growth and fruit characteristics. Therefore, seed propagation is mainly useful for producing rootstocks and in breeding programmes.
• Vegetative Propagation: Vegetative propagation is preferred for maintaining the characteristics of superior cultivars.
• Important methods include: Air layering, Grafting, Budding
• Air layering is an important method of vegetative propagation in guava.

13.8 Planting Material

• Healthy and disease-free planting material should be selected for establishing a guava orchard.
  • Good planting material should possess:

• • True-to-type characteristics
  • Healthy root system
  • Vigorous shoot growth
  • Freedom from pests and diseases
  • Properly developed graft or layer union, where applicable

• The use of quality planting material helps maintain uniformity and improves orchard productivity.

13.9 Planting and Spacing

• Guava is generally planted during the rainy season, although planting time may vary according to local climate and irrigation facilities.
• Traditional orchards are planted at wider spacing, while modern orchards may adopt high-density planting.
• Conventional Spacing: A spacing of approximately 6 × 6 m or similar wider spacing may be used depending upon cultivar and orchard conditions.
• High-Density Planting: Closer spacing can increase the number of plants per unit area and increase early productivity. However, it requires regular canopy management, pruning, irrigation and nutrient management.

13.10 Cropping and Bahar Regulation

• One of the important features of guava production is the regulation of flowering to obtain fruit during a desirable season. This is commonly referred to as bahar regulation.
• The principal flowering seasons are generally associated with: Ambe bahar, Mrig bahar, Hasta bahar
• Bahar regulation is used to regulate flowering and fruiting according to market demand, climatic conditions and availability of irrigation.
• Importance of Bahar Regulation: It helps to: Obtain fruit during a desired season, Improve fruit quality, Avoid unfavourable weather, Regulate crop load, Improve economic returns

13.11 Training and Pruning

Training and pruning are important components of guava canopy management.

Objectives

• Development of a strong framework
• Maintenance of suitable plant height
• Better light penetration
• Improved air circulation
• Removal of weak and diseased branches
• Regulation of crop load
• Production of quality fruits

Guava produces flowers and fruits mainly on current season’s growth. Therefore, appropriate pruning can stimulate new productive shoots.

13.12 Water Management

• Guava is relatively drought tolerant, but adequate irrigation is important for obtaining good fruit size and quality.
• Young plants require regular irrigation during establishment. Mature trees should be irrigated according to: Soil moisture, Rainfall, Temperature, Crop load, Growth stage.

Drip Irrigation

• Drip irrigation is particularly suitable for modern guava orchards because it: Supplies water directly to the root zone, Reduces water loss, Maintains relatively uniform soil moisture, Supports fertigation, Improves water-use efficiency
• Water stress during flowering and fruit development should be avoided.

13.13 Nutrient Management

Balanced nutrition is essential for vigorous growth, flowering, fruit development and maintenance of fruit quality.

Major Nutrients

• The important macronutrients include: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K)
• Secondary nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and sulphur and micronutrients such as zinc, boron and iron may also be required depending upon soil and plant nutritional status.
• Organic manures such as farmyard manure (FYM) can be incorporated to improve soil structure and nutrient availability.
• In intensive orchards, nutrient application may be combined with drip irrigation through fertigation.

13.14 Weed Management

Weeds compete with guava plants for water, nutrients, light and space, particularly during the establishment phase.

Important Weed Management Practices

• Cultural control: Maintenance of a clean basin around plants and proper orchard floor management.
• Mechanical control: Hand weeding, hoeing and intercultural operations.
• Mulching: Organic or suitable synthetic mulch can suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture.
• Chemical control: Herbicides may be used where appropriate as part of an integrated weed-management programme.
• Care should be taken to prevent herbicide contact with the trunk and foliage of young plants.

13.15 Fertigation

• Fertigation refers to the application of soluble fertilizers through irrigation water.
• In guava orchards, fertigation through drip irrigation allows nutrients to be supplied in smaller and more frequent doses according to crop demand.

Advantages

• Efficient nutrient use
• Reduced nutrient losses
• Better synchronization of nutrient supply with crop demand
• Suitable for high-density orchards
• Saves labour
• Improves water and nutrient-use efficiency

13.16 Important Special Horticultural Practices

Several practices can be used to regulate productivity and fruit quality in guava.

• Bahar Treatment: Bahar regulation is an important practice for regulating the flowering season and obtaining fruits during a commercially desirable period.
• Pruning: Pruning encourages the development of new shoots, which are important because guava generally flowers and fruits on current season’s growth.
• Thinning: Where excessive crop load occurs, fruit thinning may help improve the size and quality of the remaining fruits.
• Mulching: Mulching conserves soil moisture, suppresses weeds and moderates soil temperature.

13.17 Plant Growth Regulators

• Plant growth regulators may be used in guava for regulating growth, flowering, fruit set and fruit development.
• Depending upon the purpose and cultivar, appropriate PGRs can influence: Vegetative growth, Flowering, Fruit set, Fruit retention, Fruit development, Fruit drop, Maturity.
• PGR application should always be based on the crop stage, concentration and recommended practice.

13.18 Important Disorders

• Guava may suffer from physiological and nutritional disorders under unsuitable environmental or nutritional conditions.
• Important disorders may be associated with: Nutrient imbalance, Water stress, Excess moisture, Temperature, Improper crop load, Irregular irrigation.
• Fruit Cracking: Fruit cracking may occur under conditions of irregular moisture supply and sudden changes in water availability. Maintaining uniform soil moisture and balanced nutrition helps reduce the problem.

13.19 Maturity Indices

• Guava should be harvested at the appropriate stage depending upon the purpose of utilization and distance of transportation.
  • Important maturity indicators include:

• • Change in fruit skin colour
  • Development of characteristic fruit size
  • Development of aroma
  • Change in fruit firmness
  • TSS and acidity
  • Development of characteristic pulp colour

• For distant transportation, fruits are generally harvested at a comparatively firm stage, whereas fruits intended for immediate consumption may be harvested at a more advanced stage of maturity.

13.20 Harvesting

• Guava fruits are generally harvested manually.
• Care should be taken to avoid: Bruising. Cuts and punctures. Dropping of fruits. Excessive pressure during handling
• Harvesting should preferably be carried out during the cooler part of the day.

• Yield

• Yield varies considerably depending upon: Variety, Planting density, Age of plants, Irrigation, Nutrient management, Bahar regulation, Pruning, Pest and disease management.
• High-density orchards can produce higher productivity per unit area when canopy and crop load are properly managed.

13.22 Post-Harvest Management

• Guava is a highly perishable fruit and therefore requires careful post-harvest handling.
• Sorting and Grading: Fruits should be sorted according to: Size. Maturity. Colour. Fruit quality. Freedom from pest and disease damage
• Packaging: Suitable cushioned packaging helps reduce mechanical injury during transportation.
• Storage: Low-temperature storage can extend shelf life, but excessive chilling temperatures should be avoided because sensitive fruits may develop physiological injury.

13.23 Value Addition

• Guava has considerable potential for processing because of its attractive flavour, pulp characteristics and nutritional value.
• Important value-added products include: Guava jelly, Guava jam, Guava juice, Guava nectar, Guava pulp, Guava cheese, Dehydrated products.
• Processing provides an opportunity to utilize surplus fruits and reduce post-harvest losses.

13.24 Economic Importance

• Guava is an economically important fruit crop because of its:

• • High nutritional value
  • Wide adaptability
  • Relatively hardy nature
  • Good productivity
  • Multiple cropping possibilities
  • Processing potential
  • Domestic market demand

• The crop is particularly important for small and medium-scale fruit growers because it can be cultivated under varied agro-climatic conditions.

13.26 Quick Revision Points

• Scientific name: Psidium guajava L.
• Family: Myrtaceae
• Common name: Guava
• Fruit type: Berry
• Nature: Tropical and subtropical fruit crop
• Important characteristic: Hardy fruit crop
• Major nutrient importance: Rich source of vitamin C
• Suitable soil: Deep, well-drained loam
• Important propagation method: Air layering
• Modern production system: High-density planting
• Important flowering regulation practice: Bahar regulation
• Important canopy practice: Training and pruning
• Important irrigation method: Drip irrigation
• Important modern nutrient-management method: Fertigation
• Major post-harvest operations: Sorting, grading and packaging
• Important value-added products: Jelly, jam, juice, nectar and pulp