About Guava: Guava trees can be found in both tropical and subtropical climates. In river basins, heavy clay to very light sandy soil with a pH of 4.5-8.2 is good quality, but it is subject to waterlogging. During the summer, land is prepared by ploughing, harrowing, levelling, and weeding.
Growing Season and varieties: During the wet season, planting takes place. Depending on the type, soil fertility, and availability of irrigation facilities, June-July is the best time to plant at a distance of 5-8 metres.
Varieties are L-49, Allahabad Safeda, Lucknow Safeda, Apple Colour, Chittidar, Red Fleshed, Allahabad Surkha, Sardar, Mirzapuri Seedless, CISH-G-1, CISH-G-2, CISH-G-3.
Fertilizer with 600 grammes of nitrogen and 400 grammes of potassium should be administered in the first week of May for rainy season crops and in July for cold season crops. Drip irrigation is very beneficial and 60% of the water saved.
During the summer, land is prepared by ploughing, harrowing, levelling, and weeding. Planting takes place during the rainy season, from June to July, at a distance of 5-8 metres, depending on the variety, soil quality, and availability of irrigation infrastructure.
Procedure and chemicals required: Fertilizer with 600 grammes of nitrogen and 400 gram of potassium should be administered in the first week of May for rainy season crops and in July for cold season crops. Drip irrigation is quite beneficial, saving 60% of water.
Pest control: Weed management in guava orchards has been proven to be successful with pre-emergence applications of diuron (1.6 kg/ha), oryzalin (1.67 litres/ha), or simazine (1.6 kg/ha).
As a mulching material, dry leaves, straw, or black plastic can be used to assist conserve moisture and improve the quality of the fruits. During the first three years, legumes or vegetables can be cultivated as intercrops.
The use of growth regulators such as NAA, NAD, and 2,4D has been proven to be useful in floral thinning.
Fruit fly, stem borer, bark eating caterpillar, thrips, nematodes, mealy bug, and scale insect are the most common insect pests seen. Malathion (2ml), phosphamidon (0.5ml per ltr. of water), and other pesticides have been proven to be successful in the majority of cases.
Wilt, fruit canker, fruit rot, anthrachose, and grey leaf spot are the most common illnesses recorded. Depending on the type of infection, Carbendazim/Thiophanate methyl (1g/l) or Kavach/Mancozeb (2g/l) are used to control the infections.
Fruit drop is a major guava disease that causes a 45-65% loss owing to a variety of physiological and environmental variables. GA is sprayed on the fruit to prevent it from falling off.
Bronzing in guava is reduced by foliar application of 0.5 percent diammonium phosphate and zinc sulphate in combination at weekly intervals during two months. Pre-flowering sprays containing 0.4 percent boric acid, 0.3 percent zinc sulphate, and 0.2-0.4 percent copper sulphate boost yield and fruit size.
Productivity: Plants begin giving fruit at the age of 2-3 years, but they reach full bearing after 10 years, producing 100 to 150 kg of fruit every year. The rainy season crop is harvested in August, while the winter season crop is harvested in November-December. By storing them at a low temperature of 50°C, they can last up to 20 days.