Crop Production - Nutrition & INM

Guava (Psidium guajava):  Guava is an excellent source of vitamin C. Since guava bears almost throughout the year, proper doses of nutrient application is considered essential for maintaining the productivity and good health of the tree.

  • Nutrition:  Guava responds well to the application of both organic manures and inorganic fertilizers in terms of increased growth, fruit yield and quality. Experiments conducted on nutrient requirement of guava in different parts of the country have indicated that this depends on many factors such as variety, climate, soil type, cropping pattern and intensity of cropping based on which empirical general recommendations were given regarding the fertilizer doses as indicated below:

  • State

    N, P, K  g/tree

    West Bengal

    260-454  g N + 160-260 g P2O5 + 260 g K2O

    Uttar Pradesh

    60 g N + 40 g  P + 40 g K

    Tamil Nadu

    1 kg N + 1 kg P + 1 Kg K

    Bangalore

    900 g N + 600 g P + 600 g K

    Bihar

    500 g N + 300 g P2O5 + 600 g K2O

    Maharashtra

    600 g N + 300 g P + 300 g K

The fertilizers may be applied in two split doses, preferably in June and October, in a ring which covers an area of 30 cm away from the trunk to the drip line.  Soil should be dug to a depth of 8 to 10 cm to properly mix the fertilizers with the soil. Foliar application of micronutrients along with 2 – 6% urea also increases the vegetative growth, fruit yield and fruit quality. Deficiencies of zinc and boron are common in guava. Soil application of 800 g ZnSO4 / tree or foliar spray of 0.5 per cent ZnSO4 and 0.4 percent boric acid 10 to 14 days before every flowering, is effective in eliminating the deficiencies. Sampling recently matured (50-60 days old) leaf of 3rd pair from the growing tip during July-August or November-December is recommended for leaf analysis. The relationship between fertilizer practices, leaf composition, yield and fruit quality were not sufficient to suggest leaf nutrient standards as it depends upon many factors like cropping pattern, cropping intensity, season and varieties, but the following optimum nutrient ranges are suggested in general as leaf nutrient guides:

Nutrient

Ranges

N

1.4   to 2.0%

P

0.20 to 0.40%

K

1.31 to 1.70%

Ca

0.67 to 3.0%

Mg

0.25 to 0.68%


Guava general information.

Guava (Psidium guajava L) of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), is the fifth most widely grown fruit crop in India after banana, mango, citrus and papaya. The fruit has gained considerable prominence in India due to its high nutritive value, moderate prices, pleasant aroma and good flavour. Guava is a rich source of vitamin C and pectin and moderate source of B vitamins, calcium, iron and phosphorus. It is one of the commonest fresh fruits liked by the rich and the poor alike and is popularly known as the ‘apple of tropics’ or `poor man’s apple’. Only a small quantity of the production is utilized for processing in the form of jelly, canned cups, juice and nectar, cheese, toffee bar, powder, flakes and strained baby foods have also been prepared besides commercial pectin.

Contact us.

  • ICAR - IIHR.
  • Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake post, Bengaluru - 560 089.
  •   Phone +91-80 23686100. website : www.iihr.res.in