Advances in production of guava

Latest advances in production of guava were covered in this presentation.

1. WEL- COME By : Vilas S. Ghule

2. Guava Taxonomy : Common name – Apple of the tropics / Poor man’s apple. Scientific name – Psidium guajava Family – Myrtaceae 2n = 22

3. Important species: Common name Scientific name Specific features Brazilian guava / Guinea guava Psidium guineese Small fruits with poor quality. Strawberry / cattleya guava Psidium cattleianum Small fruits with purplish red color. costa – Rica – Guava / China guava Psidium friedrichsthalianum Small fruits globose in shape, dwarf rootstock and resistant to nematode, guava wilt. Guisaro guava Psidium molle - Mountain guava Psidium montanum - - Psidium pumilum Highest sugar content - Psidium cujavillis Highest Vit – C.

4. Origin and Distribution Guava is originated in tropical America (Mexico) and has spread to most of the tropical and subtropical countries of the world. Commercially Guava grown in Cuba, Malaysia, Myanmar, Venezuela, Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Cameroon, Mexico, Peru, Thailand, Sudan, Kenya and India. In India it is successfully grown in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Orissa, Tripura. U.P. is considered as the most important guava producing state of India and Allahabad – Varanasi region has the reputation of growing the best quality Guava in the country as well as in the world.

5.   2011-12       2012-13       2013-14   State A rea Producti o n P d y .   A rea Producti o n P d y .   A rea Producti o n P d y . Ma d h y a prade s h 16.5 255.3 15.5   21.3 801.0 37.6   22.4 841.1 37.6 Uttar prade s h 14.4 251.5 17.5   15.3 291.4 19.0   45.0 605.0 13.4 B i h ar 29.5 245.2 8.3   29.7 259.5 8.7   30.0 373.7 12.5 M a h ara s h tra 37.0 322.0 8.7   39.0 305.0 7.8   40.0 324.0 8.1 W est beng a l 14.1 179.8 12.8   14.2 184.0 13.0   14.4 186.0 13.0 P u n j a b 7.9 173.8 22.0   8.1 177.6 22.0   8.2 180.8 22.0 Ch h ati s h ga r h 15.6 121.3 7.8   17.1 140.9 8.2   19.3 162.8 8.4 Karnataka 7.1 135.1 19.0   6.8 134.9 19.8   6.4 143.4 22.3 G uj arat 10.5 156.3 14.9   10.6 158.1 14.9   10.8 140.8 13.0 H a r y a na 9.7 87.1 9.0   10.4 107.6 10.4   10.7 125.0 11.7 A n d h ra prade s h 8.9 134.0 15.1   12.3 184.5 15.0   6.9 104.1 15.0 Odi s h a 14.3 103.4 7.2   14.2 103.7 7.3   14.2 103.6 7.3 Tel a ng a na                 6.0 90.0 15.0 Assam 5.0 99.3 19.9   5.3 105.8 20.1   4.2 83.8 20.0 O t h ers 29.5 246.4 8.4   31.3 244.4 7.8   29.8 203.7 6.8 Tot a l 219.9 2510.4 11.4   235.6 3198.3 13.6   268.2 3667.9 13.7 Area and Production of Guava in India: Area in ‘000 HA, Production in ‘000 MT and Productivity = MT/HA Source:- NHB, 2015

6. Composition and uses: Guava fruit is a berry and has very thin skin. The fruit have gritty texture due to presence of stone cells, and have sweet aroma. Fruit is excellent source of V it-C and pectin, but has low energy (66cal/100g) and protein 1%, and has about 17% dry matter and 83% moisture. Fruit is rich in minerals like P, Ca, Fe as well as vitamins like niacin, panthotenic acid, thiamin, riboflavin and Vit-A. Excellent salad, pudding, jam, jelly, nectar, concentrate, and syrup can be made from Guava fruit.

7. Medicinal uses: The roots, bark, leaves and immature fruits because of their astringency, are commonly employed to halt gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and dysentery throughout the tropics. Crushed leaves are applied on wounds, ulcers, and rheumatic places. Leaves are chewed to relieve toothache. The leaf decoction is taken as a remedy for coughs, throat and chest ailments, gargled to relieve oral ulcers and inflamed gums. Effective in halting vomiting and diarrhea in cholera patients. It is also applied on skin diseases. A combined decoction of leaves and bark is given to expel the placenta after childbirth. Leaves are also used in dying and tanning.

8. Eco-physiological requirement: S oil: Guava tree is very hardy and can thrive on all type of soil from alluvial to lateritic. Sensitive to water logging. It can grown on heavy but well drained soil. The best soils are deep, friable and well drained. pH – 5.5 – 7.5.

9. Climate : Owing to its hardy nature, guava is grown successfully in tropical and subtropical regions up to 1500 m above mean sea – level. Best quality guavas are obtained where low night temperatures (10˚C) prevail during winter season. In areas having distinct winter season, the yield increases and quality improves. It grows best with an annual rainfall around 1000 mm restricted between J une and September. Young plants are susceptible to draught and cold.

10. Varieties Allahabad Safeda :  This is the most famous variety gown in Uttar Pradesh for  table purpose . Tree is medium in height (5.8-6.5m) with vigorous branching and dense foliage. Fruits are medium in size (180g), round in shape with few seeds . Fruit is white fleshed with good keeping quality.

11. IIHR, Banglore Arka amulya Allahabad safeda X triploid seedless Plant are medium in vigour & spreading type. Fruit - round in shape. Fruit weight – 180 – 200 gm. Skin of fruit - smooth & yellow in colour. Fruit flesh - white in colour. TSS. – 12 ⁰ brix Soft seeded variety Weight of 100 seed – 1.80gm.

12. 2 Arka Mridula Seedling selection from Allahabad safeda . Fruit shape – Round. Fruit – smooth & yellow in colour. Fruit flesh – white colour. Weight – 180gm. TSS. – 12 ⁰ Brix . Pectin – 1.041 %

13. Arka Kiran Fruits are medium size. Weight - 180-200 g. Fruit flesh - Pink colour. TSS . - 12-12.5° Brix . seeds are soft.

14. GKFRS, PUNE Lucknow – 49 Selected from Allahabad safeda . Fruit Pulp colour – greenish yellow with white milky. Skin of fruit is rough. It is suitable for table purpose. Yield – 25 tones/ha. National Variety

15. HAU, HISSAR Hissar safeda Allahabad safeda X seedless Released year – 1995 Fruit shape – round Fruit skin are smooth, shining, & yellowish white. Flesh – white in colour & firm. Yield – 114 kg/plant. - 31.25 tons/ha. TSS. – 12.5⁰– 13⁰ Brix .

16. 2. Hissar Surekha Apple colour X Banarasi Surekha . Released year – 1995. Fruit shape – round. Fruit colour – light colour. Fruit flesh – pink colour. Skin is light yellow colour. TSS. – 13⁰-13.5⁰Brix. Yield - 94 kg/plant - 25 tones/ hac .

17. CISH, Lucknow Lalit It is selected from half-sib population of Apple colour. Fruit colour – Saffron yellow with red blush. Fruit weight – 185 – 200 gm. Yield – 100kg/plant. TSS. – 12⁰ Brix . Vit . C. – 250mg/100gm of plup .

18. Shweta It is selected from half-sib population of Apple colour. Released year – 2005. Creamy white epicarp with red spots. Fruit pulp – Snow white in colour. Weight – 285 gm. TSS. – 12.5⁰– 14⁰ Brix . Vit . C – 300mg/100gm of pulp.

19. FRS, Sangareddy Safed jam Allahabad safeda X Kohir . Fruit shape – Round. Fruit pulp – Thin with good taste. Seeds are soft and located at the core. Yield – 80.9 kg/plant

20. Kohir Safeda Kohir X Allahabad Safeda . Fruits are large with bard seed. Tree are large and bear profusely. Yield – 90 – 100 kg/tree.

21. GBPUA & T, Pant nagar Pant Prabhat Selected from Dhareedar. Fruit shape – Round. Peel smooth & light yellow in colour. Fruit pulp – white in colour, sweet taste with pleasant flavor. Seeds are small & soft as compare to Sardar . Fruit weight – 150-175 gm. Yield – 100 – 125 kg/plant. Vit . C. – 300 mg/100gm of pulp. TSS. - 10.5 ⁰- 13.5⁰ Brix.

22. FRS, Kuthulia , Rewa Dhareedar Fruit are medium to large, roundish ovate in size. Fruit weight – 160 gm. Raised lines on the surface of mature fruits. Peel is greenish yellow & peel soft. TSS. – 11.7⁰ Brix . Reducing sugar – 4.31%. Non reducing sugar – 5.42%. Vit . C – 200mg /100gm of pulp.

23. TNAU Tamilnadu TRY (G) -1 Released year -2005. Off-seasonal bearing variety. It is Drought & Sodicity tolerant variety. Shiny greenish yellow fruit with desirable aroma. Its resistance to Fruit fly & tolerant to mealy bug. Yield – 40.5 kg/tree. TSS. – 10⁰ Brix . Vit . C – 180 mg/100gm of pulp.

24. Some international cultivars Red land Fruit are very large with little aroma. White flesh with relatively few seeds. It was at first considered promising with mild flavour . It content low vit.C (ascorbic acid)

25. 2. Supreme Fruits are faint aroma, thick, white flesh relatively few, small seeds. Fruit contain high Vit . C. it having ability to produce heavy crops over a period of 8 months from fall to early spring. 3. Red Indian Fruit with strong aroma. Medium to large size, round but slightly flattened at the base and apex. Yellow skin often with pink blush, with medium thick, Red flesh of sweet flavour. Seeds are numerous but small. Agreeable for eating flesh. Fairly productive in early winter

26. 4. Ruby Fruit with pungent smell. Fruit size is large and ovate in shape. Flesh is thick, red in colour sweet flavour , relatively few seeds. An excellent guava for eating fresh and for canning. Fairly productive in early winter. 5. Blitch Fruit with strong aroma. Fruit size are medium and oval in shape. Fruit flesh are light pink in colour, numerous, small seeds. Fruit used for jelly making.

27. 6. Patillo Fruit having very mild aroma. Fruit size are medium with ovate shape. Fruit flesh are pink in colour, moderate sized seeds. Flavour are agreeable and sub acidic. It good for general cooking. Miami Red & Miami White Fruits are large in size. Fruits are odorless. Fruit having thick flesh.

28. Propagation: Sexually propagation method: Seed propagation: Seedling can be raised in nursery or in polythene bags from freshly extracted seeds of fully matured fruits. Seed viability declines very quickly after extraction from fruits. Which may be extended by treatment with potassium nitrate or ferulic acid.

29. Sexually propagation method: Cutting : Soft wood and semi-hard wood cuttings are used. Take semi-hard wood cuttings with 2-4 leaves. Give treatment with IBA at 5000 ppm+ P- hydroxy benzoic acid at 200 ppm shows 92% rooting. Then planted in sand under mist. Pre-treatment of stock plant with ethrel (50 ppm) and treatment with IBA at 3000 ppm during planting of cutting caused 100% rooting.

30. Air layering: Shoots selected for air-layering should be 1 cm in diameter and preferably from previous years growth. A ring of bark about 3 cm long is removed. Cover ring with media (soil : leaf mould ; 1:1) or with Sphagnum moss, previously soaked in water. Wrapped with polyethylene film. The ends of film are carefully tied and left for rooting. It takes 30-40 days for rooting during mansoon. Air layers treated with IBA at 5000 ppm and found 90% rooting in month of June, 80% in May, 70% in April, and further decreased gradually to 10% in the month of December. Air-layering in guava is most successful between April and June in warm and humid climate. When temperature varies between 29.3 and 30.5˚C and relative humidity between 69.0 and 80.0 %.

31. Stooling: Air-layers were grown for 3-5 years. Then cut back and allowed to shoots. Then shoots were ringed, IBA was applied in lanolin. The ringed shoots were earthed up to induce rooting. After rooting the shoots were separate and planted in nursery beds. Etiolation of shoots for 30 days and treatment with IBA at 5000 ppm caused 100% rooting as well as survivality of the stool layers.

32. Grafting: Inarching is another important method of propagation, however, the method is more labourious than cutting and air layering. The other method of grafting which showed success is veneer grafting. Budding : Forkert, patch, shield, and ring budding were reported to be successful in guava. Patch budding on 1 year old seedling rootstock during May-June showed 80-85% success.

33. Rootstock influence : Chinese guava (Psidium friedrichsthalianum): Resistant rootstock for wilt disease of guava. The rootstock is also resistant to nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita). 2 . Psidium pumilum: The trees grafted on Psidium pumilum showed a dwarfing effect. 3 . Psidium cattleianum: Cv. Allahabad Safeda on P. cattleianum showed higher yield than on P . pumilum and P. cujavalis . 4. Pusa srijan (aneuploid no. 82 rootstock of guava): Potentially dwarf rootstock identified at IARI, New Delhi.

34. Planting System: Field should be deeply ploughed, harrowed and levelled before planting. The pits of 1m 3 should be dug at appropriate distance. After 15-20 days, pits should be filled with 25 – 30 kg compost or FYM mixed with surface soil. Planting should be done at the onset of monsoon.

35. Plant density: Guava is commonly planted at 5m x 5m or 6m x 6m spacing, accommodating 278 to 400 plants per hectare, in square system of planting. Guava is highly suitable for high density plantation, because bearing is on current seasons growth and flowers appear on axils of new leaves. Guava can also be planted in a hedgerow system at a spacing of 6m x 3m or 6m x 2m. - In this system, the trees are confined to a hedge shape of 2m inter-row width and 2m height for which regular pruning is necessary. - H edgerow plantations gave almost double the crop per unit area than 6m x 6m spacing

36. Cropping system: In widely spaced plants (6m x 6m), the interspace can be economically utilized by growing suitable intercropping till the bearing starts. In a crop combination involving several plantation, vegetables and leguminous crops like Cocoa, Pine-apple, Peas, Cowpea, Gram and Beans are considered as safe intercrops.

37. Canopy management: Training and Prunning: Initial training is necessary for development of a strong framework for which the first 60 to 90 cm from the base of the trunk should be cleaned. Keep 4 – 5 scaffold branches at an interval of 20 – 25 cm. When the plant attained a height of about 1.5 m to 1.8 m, it is then headed back to make the centre open. In some parts of India (Maharashtra and south Bengal) bending system of training get practiced for increasing yield. As the flower and fruits are borne on current season’s growth, a light annual pruning is considered necessary to encourage new shoots after harvesting. All dead, diseased, crowded growth and suckers coming up from the base and sides of the framework should be pruned back annually. Hedgerow system needs regular pruning to keep the plant in desired size.

38. Bahar Managment Three types of Bahar :- Ambe Bahar (Feb.- Mar.) – Rainy season Mrig Bahar (June- July) – Winter season Hasth Bahar (Oct.) – Summer season Bahar treatment in guava is achieved by with hold of irrigation, root exposure or root prunning . Application of NAA @400- 800 ppm or ethephon @ 1000- 1500 ppm or Urea (15-20 %) following may pruning.

39. Crop Regulation of Guava by Bending of Shoots: This practice is very much dependent on training of guava branches. On the basis of calculation of expected flowering, the branches of guava plants are bent down about 45-60 days before the expected date of flowering and to produce fruits in the off season. First time bending of branches of guava plant should be employed at the age of 2 nd year of plant. Before bending, the leaves, small shoots, flowers & fruits from branch are removed or cut off, keeping 10-12 inch of terminal twig intact.

40. During summer (April – June), the new shootlets emerged within 8 to 10 days of bending During autumn (Sept. – Nov.), the new shootlets took 20-25 days to emerge Bent branches should be untied when the new shootlets is about 1 cm in length Flowering occurs in the new shootlets at 4-5 pair of leaf stage, after 45-50 days of summer bending & 60-65 days of autumn bending Manures & fertilizers should be applied 15 days before bending of branches & again at pea stage of fruit growth followed by irrigation.

41. Bending Executed

42. Nutrient management: Time of fertilizer application depends on the region and variety. In North India, fertilizer is applied in the 1 st week of May for rainy season crop and in 1 st week of July for winter season crop. The plants are manured twice a year. First during June – July and second by during October.

43. Region wise nutrient management recommendation: Region Recommended fertilizer dose g / Plant / Year Northern region 600 g N, 400 g K. Eastern region 260 g N, 320 g P, 260 g K. Southern region 900 g N , 600 g P, 600 g K. Western region 600 g N, 300 g P, 300 g K. Half quantity of nitrogen at bahar treatment and remaining half after fruit retension . Full quantity of phosphorus and potash is applied at bahar treatment.

44. Fertigation: It has been observed that placement of fertilizer midway between trunk and drip line is better than at drip line or beyond it. Foliar spraying of potassium ( as potassium sulphate 1.0 to 2.0%) , Calcium ( as Calcium Nitrate , 1 to 2 %) were found effective in increasing yield and improving fruit quality.

45. Water Management in Guava: Irrigation is frequently needed during initial establishment of plantation. Weekly or bi-weekly watering is essential during first few months after planting. The daily water requirement of guava varies from 15.6 to 61.0 L / day / plant respectively in the months of December and April – May. The annual water requirement of Guava grown at the spacing of 5m x 5.5m is 3854 m 3 / ha. Drip irrigation on alternate or 2-days interval is recommended during dry periods of April – May. Need based 1 or 2 irrigations during December – January is found beneficial.

46. Role of Bio-regulators: 1) IBA: Treatment with IBA @ 5000 ppm caused 100% rooting as well as survivality of the stool layers . In cutting the treatment of IBA @ 5000 ppm + p- hydroxybenzoic acid @ 200 ppm shows 92 % rooting . Pre-treatment of stock plant with ethrel ( 50 ppm) and IBA @ 3000 ppm during planting of cutting cause 100% rooting . 2) GA 3 : GA 3 @ 15 – 30 ppm increased the fruit set . Induces parthenocarpic fruits .

47. 3) NAA : NAA @ 80-100 ppm reduces the rainy season fruit yield . NAA @ 800 ppm + deblossoming leads to maximum yield in winter season . 4) NAD: NAD @ 50 ppm enhance the high blossom drop .

48. Meadow orchard:- The Meadow Orchard is a modern method of fruit cultivation using Small or dwarf tree with modified of canopy. The meadow orchard system of guava accommodates 5000 plants ha, planted at 2.0 x 1.0m spacing. Topping and hedging in guava are helpful in controlling tree size and extending fruit availability in meadow orchard. Meadow Orchard System is a new concept of guava planting.

49. The meadow orchard system of guava accommodates 5000 plants ha, planted at 2.0 x 1.0 m spacing. A single trunk tree with no interfering branches up to 30 - 40 cm from the ground level is desirable to make dwarf tree architecture. After a period of 1-2 months of planting, all the trees are topped at a uniform height of 30-40 cm from the ground level for initiation of new growth below the cut ends.

50. As shoots mature generally after a period of 3-4 months, they are reduced by 50 per cent of their total length so that new shoots emerge below the cut point. Growth after third pruning:- This is done to attain the desired tree canopy architecture and strong framework. The emerged shoots are allowed to grow for 3 - 4 months before they are again pruned by 50 per cent. After pruning, new shoots emerge on which flowering takes place.

51. It is emphasized that shoot pruning is done thrice a year. This leads to desired canopy development. Though fruiting starts in the same year, one can not expect fruits on each and every shoot. Pruning is continued so that plants remain dwarf. After a year, pruning operation is done especially in May-June, September-October and January-February.

52. Initiation of new shoots and flowering after shoot pruning in meadow system. Re-pruning (above the fruiting point)of shoots for initiation of new shoots.

53. New shoots emerge after re pruning and flowering takes place. Pruned trees in flowering and fruiting.

54. Pruned trees in flowering and fruiting.

55. Meadow orchard after 5 years of planting Overview of meadow orchard

56. Concept of meadow orchading:- Contnd …

57. Fertilizer management in meadow orcharding:- The amount of fertilizers to be applied in meadow orchard of guava depends on the age of tree, condition of plant and type of soil. For proper growth and higher yield, following fertilizer doses should be applied:- Year Urea (g plant -1 ) SSP (g plant -1 ) MOP (g plant -1 ) June September September June 1st 90 40 185 50 2nd 180 110 370 100 3rd 270 115 555 150 4th 360 150 740 200 5th & above 450 190 900 250

58. Irrigation management in meadow orchading:- Newly planted plants should be watered at the time of planting, every second day during the first week and afterwards once or twice a week during the initial months. During long dry periods, newly planted young guava plants (first year) should be watered twice a week. Once the rainy season sets in, irrigation is done as per the requirement. For the plants of 2 years or above, irrigation becomes beneficial for growth and fruiting during prolonged dry periods. Irrigation is required at intervals of 7-10 days in summers and at 25days in winters.

59. Irrigation scheduling in meadow orcharding:-

60. Production:- The production of guava in high density planting (1.5 x 3 m.) is 26 tonnes ha-I in the third year. The yield goes up to 47 tonnes ha-I in the fifth and 55 tonnes ha-I in the seventh year of growth. In the density of 6.0 x 6.0m, the yield is 6 tonnes ha-I. The meadow orchard system is more beneficial than any other system. In this system, the production starts in the first year itself giving an average yield of 13 tonnes ha-I which doubles in the next year. In the 3 rd and 5 th year yield is approximately 40 and 60 tonnes ha-I, respectively."This clearly shows that the meadow orchard system is better than other planting systems.

61. Growth pattern and fruiting under meadow orchard: Ist year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year After 5 year

62. Yield of the guava under different planting densities:

63. A comparison between meadow orchard system and the traditional system: Attributes Traditional system Meadow system Bearing - After two years From first year Production Management Average yield is 12-20 t ha I. Difficult to manage due to large tree size Average yield is 40-60 t / ha Labour requirement Requires more labour Low labour requires Production cost Higher cost of production Lower cost of production Harvesting Difficult Easy to manage due to small tree size Quality Large canopy, poor sunlight, penetration and poor quality fruits. Small canopy, better air and sunlight penetration, minimum disease incidence and high quality fruits with good colour development.

64. Flowering: In northern India, three distinct flowering season, i.e. summer, rainy and autumn with corresponding harvesting periods rainy, winter and spring have been observed. In West Bengal, two distinct seasons of blooming are found, once in April – May and against in September – October. In U.P. maximum extension growth was observed in spring season followed by rainy and winter seasons. The season also has well – pronounced influence in respect to flowering, yield and fruit quality.

65. The fruit yield is usually higher in the rainy season while fruit quality was found better during winter season. The guava bears flower, solitary or in cymes of two or three flowers, on the current seasons growth in the axil of leaves. Both terminal as well as lateral bearing shoots were observed in guava. The flowering and blooming period varies from 25 – 45 days depending on the cultivar, season and region of growing.

66. Fruit set: About 80-90 % flowers of guava sets fruit initially of which 35 – 60 % reaches maturity. In cultivars like seedless, the final fruit retention is as low as 6%. The formation of fruit set is noticed after 10 – 12 days of flowering. Spraying GA 3 at 15 – 30 ppm increased the fruit set.

67. Fruit growth : The growth of guava fruits followed a double sigmoid curve with, two periods of rapid growth with a period of relatively slow growth in between. The weight of fruit and fruit size gradually increase at the first phase, then slow down and finally increase till maturity. Guava fruit generally takes about 17 – 20 weeks from fruit set to reach maturity. The total soluble solids, total sugar and ascorbic acid contents of fruit increased markedly at the later stages of fruit growth while fruit acidity decreased.

68. Pests: Fruit fly ( Chaetodacus sp. ) : The adults of fruit fly lay eggs on fruit surface during monsoon. The maggots enter the fruit and feed on pulp causing dropping of fruits. Bagging of fruits 3-4 weeks from fruit set and spraying of malathion and fenthion is suggested to control the pest.

69. 2. Mealy bug ( Ferrisia varigata ) : The tiny small bugs usually suck sap from twigs, leaves and flower. Infested fruits will have uneven shapes, poor quality and are susceptible to secondary infection by pathogens. Soil application of thimet and banding the tree trunk with polyethylene film will prevent the nymph to climb up from the soil.

70. Diseases: Wilt: Caused by – several fungus namely Fusarium spp., Cephalosporium spp., Macrophomina phaseoli either alone or in combination. Yellowing of leaves followed by drying of leaves and twigs from the tip. Complete wilting – in 10 – 15 days. Control – by soil drenching with brasicol and spraying of Bavistin (0.1%) around the roots and leaves at an interval of 15 days. Infected plants should be uprooted and burnt, as well as preventive treatment also apply on adjacent healthy plant. Resistant variety: Dholka, Nasik, Supreme and Banarasi .

71. 2. Anthracnose : Disease caused by Gloesporium psidii . Affected plants showed signs of die back from the tip of the branch; however leaves, shoots and fruits are rarely affected. Control: spraying the trees with copper oxychloride, cuprous oxide.

72. 3. Cercospora leaf spot : Water soaked patches under the leaf caused by Cercospora sawadae . Infection can be reduced by spraying copper oxychloride at 0.3 %.

73. Physiological disorder: Chilling injury

74. External and internal browning: Internal browning External browning

75. Bronzing in Guava :- Nutritional disorder Leaf turn yellow Control :- Micronutrients spray combination containing ZnSO 4 , MgSO 4 and MnSO 4 @ 0.5% and CuSO 4 and FeSO 4 @ 0.25 % plus Teepol @ 1ml per 5 lit of solution on various stages 1. New flush 2 . One month after first spray 3 . Flowering 4 . Fruit set

76. Maturity indices: Guava fruit are picked at the mature – green stage in some countries according to consumers demand. In countries where consumers prefer ripe guava, the fruits are picked at the firm-yellow to half – ripe stage for long distance transport and at fully ripe stage for local market. If eaten green fruit should be harvested at the mature, firm stage without any sign of ripening. Fruit to be consumed soft and ripe are harvested when they show some sign of colour change from green to yellow, as well as initial softening. SSC can vary from 3% in green fruit to >10% in ripe fruit and the TA from 0.2 to 1.5% ; cultivars vary greatly in sweetness and acidity.

77. Harvesting : Seedling guava trees require 4-5 years to bear, while vegetatively propagated plants started bearing at the age of 2-3 years. The fruit turn greenish yellow with the advancement of maturity. Harvesting of guava needs extra care because the fruit has soft, thin skin. It is normally carried out by hand to avoid physical injuries. Subsequent handling and transportation of the fruit also need extra precautions to reduce bruising.

78. Yield: The yield varies among the cultivars, care and management of the orchard, age of the plant and season of cropping. The average yield in India is about 9 tonnes / ha but it is as high as 25 to 35 tonnes / ha in Allahabad. The yield of different guava cultivars in the laterite tract of west Bengal are presented in table below:

79. Cultivars Yield per plant (kg) Yield per hectare (tonnes) Allahabad Safeda 41 11.4 Apple Colour 30 8.3 Banarasi 45 12.5 Baruipur 45 12.5 Behat Coconut 38 10.6 Chittidar 48 13.3 Harijha 42 17.7 Kerala 38 10.6 L-49 54 15.0 Seedless 8 2.2 Supreme 29 8.1

80. Storage of guava:- Modified atmosphere storage:- Packing of guava in low density polyethelene films retards ripening and increase shelf life. Wrapping of fruits of guava in low density polyethelene bags showed less dehydrated, less acid lower chilling injury intensity and disease severity. After 2 weeks storage at 8 C. Guava maintained marketable quality at 10 C for upto 16 days when wrapped in transparent polyethelene bags.

81. Controlled atmosphere storage:- 2.5 % oxygen levels may delay ripening of mature green and partially ripe guavas kept at 10 C (50 F) Tolerance to the elevated carbon dioxide levels has not been determined. Short treatment with 10% O 2 +5% CO 2 before storage in air at 4 C (39 F) for two weeks delays colour development and reduces chilling injury, compared to fruit held in air. MAP in polyethelene bags and use wax coatings delays ripening/ softening. Skin blackening is a problem when some wax coatings are applied.

82. Guava processed products