Introduction
Guava is a widely cultivated fruit in India, ranking fourth after mango, banana, and citrus. Known as the "poor man's apple," it thrives in sub-tropical climates and is renowned for its hardiness and high productivity. Allahabad is particularly famous for producing premium-quality guavas.
Nutritional Value and Uses
Guava is rich in Vitamin C (100–260 mg/100g), Vitamin A, B2, minerals like calcium and phosphorus, and pectin. It contains 2.4% acidity, 9–10% carbohydrates, and 13% TSS. It is consumed fresh, as salads, jelly, jam, juice, and in ice creams. Guava leaves are used for dyeing and possess medicinal properties, especially against diarrhea.
Origin and Distribution
Originating in tropical America, guava spread globally through Spanish and Portuguese explorers. In India, major growing regions include Uttar Pradesh (largest area), Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, covering approximately 1.30 lakh hectares.
Soil and Climate
Guava grows well in sandy loam to clayey soils with a pH of 4.5–8.2. Ideal temperature ranges from 23°C to 28°C, with an elevation up to 1500 m. It requires 100 cm of well-distributed rainfall. The plant tolerates heat and drought, but young ones are sensitive to cold.
Major Species
- Psidium guajava – Main commercial species
- P. guineense – Poor fruit quality
- P. guajava var. aromaticum – Scented small fruits
- P. pomiferum – Round fruits
- P. pyriferum – Pear-shaped fruits
- P. cattleianum – Strawberry guava
- P. friedrichsthalianum – Chinese guava, wilt-resistant
Propagation and Planting
Seedlings are raised from healthy seeds treated with ferulic acid (10⁻³ M) or 1% potassium nitrate. Grafting-ready seedlings develop in 45–60 days. Layering with IBA @ 10,000 ppm improves rooting. Planting is done during monsoon with 6m × 6m spacing in 90 cm³ pits filled with 30–40 kg FYM and 1 kg SSP.
Irrigation
Initial watering is essential post-planting. During summer, irrigate every 4–6 days, and in winter, every 10–15 days.
Manuring (per plant/year)
Apply 25 kg FYM at planting. Age-based fertilizer recommendations vary by state:
| State | N (g) | P (g) | K (g) | FYM (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | 300 | 120 | 150 | 25 |
| Maharashtra | 600 | 300 | 370 | 12–15 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 210 | 160 | 300 | 60 |
| Tamil Nadu | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 50 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 350 | 250 | 350 | — |
Training and Pruning
- Maintain a clean trunk up to 60–90 cm.
- Train 4–5 scaffold branches 20–25 cm apart.
- Head back trees at 1.5–1.8 m height.
- Bending branches promotes dormant bud sprouting.
- Annual pruning improves fruit size and early ripening.
Flowering and Fruiting
Guava flowers mainly in April–May and August–September. Pollination is primarily by honey bees. Flowering spans 25–45 days. Fruit set ranges from 35–50%; in seedless varieties, about 6%. Spraying GA₃ at 200 ppm or 1000–8000 ppm improves fruit setting. Fruits mature in 105–140 days.
Flower Regulation
Techniques like bahar treatment, water withholding, and deblossoming of the rainy crop enhance winter harvests, which are of superior quality.
Harvesting
- Guava is a climacteric fruit that ripens after harvest.
- Major harvesting seasons: August, November–December, and March–April.
- Maturity signs include color change from dark to pale green.
- Fully yellow fruits are picked for local markets; semi-yellow for transport.
Yield
Peak bearing at 15–16 years. A mature tree yields 90–150 kg/year (10–15 t/ha). The ‘Sardar’ variety can yield up to 25 t/ha.
Post-Harvest Management
Guava is perishable and sold quickly. Storage life can be extended up to:
- 20 days at 5°C and 75–85% RH
- 10 days at 18–23°C in ventilated polybags
Major Pests and Diseases
Pests:
- Fruit fly (*Chaetodacus spp.*)
- Mealybugs (*Cryptolemus spp.*)
- Others: Scale insects, tea mosquitoes, bark borers
Diseases:
- Wilt – *Fusarium spp.*
- Anthracnose – *Colletotrichum psidii*
- Fruit canker – *Pestlotia psidii*
- Leaf spot – *Cercospora sawadae*