Crop Production

Guava (Psidium guajava): Guava grows on small trees with spreading branches, may grow to a height and spread of 6-9 m. The guava bears fruit all year round. Guava trees grow well in tropical conditions, though it can tolerate drought better than many tropical fruits. It is also adapted to many soil types and may thrive even on shallow, infertile soils.

Soil and Climate

  • Soil & Climate :  It is one of the hardiest fruit trees adaptable to a wide variety of soil and climatic conditions and comes up well even under neglected conditions. Guava can be successfully grown under tropical and sub-tropical climate, thrives in both humid and dry climates and is highly resistant to drought, sensitive to water logging  and extreme winter, susceptible to frost. Optimum temperature is 23-26oC though it can withstand up to 46oC. It is so well acclimatized that at present it is grown throughout the length and breadth of the country from sea level to 1300 m altitude. However, it produces abundant crop of better quality in areas having a distinct dry and moderate winter. Guava seems indiscriminate as to soil, doing equally well on heavy clay, light sand, gravel bars near streams, or on limestone; and tolerates a pH range from 4.5 to 9.4. It is one of the hardiest fruit crop to soil salinity also and can survive up to 7.5 dSm-1 or 8.0 dSm-1, but sodium content in soil should not be beyond 40 ESP. However, the crop performs best on red sandy loams with pH range of 5 to 6.


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