| |
Introduction
|
|
| |
Guava
is known as the apple of the tropics. It is one of the
most common fruits in India. It is grown all over the
tropics and subtropics. In India it is grown in 0.148
M ha area with a total production of 1.631 M mt and
average productivity of 11 mt/ha. Guava is a rich source
of ascorbic acid and protein. The ascorbic acid content
of guava varies from 75 to 260 mg/100g depending on
cultivar, season, location and stage of maturity. The
fruits harvested during winter season are superior in
quality in comparison to rainy season fruits. It contains
considerable amount of Ca, P and Fe. However, 80 per
cent of the iron remains in seed and is not utilizable.
Guava fruits are good source of pectin, which ranges
from 0.5 to 1.8 per cent. |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
Crop
varieties |
|
| |
Guava
(Psidium guajava L.) belongs to the family Myrtaceae.
Baruipur, KG, L-49 and Allahabad Safeda are commonly
grown varieties. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Conventional
practices |
|
| |
Surface
ring basin method of irrigation and broadcasted method
of fertilizers are mostly adopted for Guava. Pruning
of plants time to time is important in guava orchard.
However, it is not commonly practiced. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Suitable
agro climatic conditions |
|
| |
Guava
is successfully grown under tropical and subtropical
climate. In areas with distinct winter season, the yield
increases and the fruit quality also improves. It grows
best with an annual rainfall of about 1000 mm restricted
between June and September. However, the young plants
are susceptible to drought and cold. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Suitable
soils |
|
| |
Guava
tree is hardy and can thrive on all soils ranging from
alluvial to laterite, except the waterlogged soil. The
best soils are deep, friable and well-drained with a
pH between 5.5 and 7.5. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Preparation
of land |
|
| |
The
selected field should be deeply ploughed, harrowed and
leveled before planting. Pits of 1 m3 size should be
dug and filled with surface soil mixed with 25 to 30
kg compost. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Soil
sterilization |
|
| |
The
sterilization of the soil can be achieved by both physical
and chemical means. Physical control measures include
treatments with steam and solar energy. Chemical control
methods include treatments with herbicides and fumigants.
Soil sterilization can also be achieved by using transparent
plastic mulch film, which is termed as soil solarization.
During soil solarization, the incoming solar radiation
penetrates the transparent plastic film and is absorbed
in the soil. The absorbed radiation converts into heat
energy, which raises the soil temperature and kills
many soil-borne organisms including plant pathogens
and pests. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Planting |
|
| |
Planting
should be done before the onset of monsoon rains. Guava
is commonly planted in a square geometry at a spacing
of 5 m x 5 m or 6 m x 6 m. It can also be planted in
hedge-row system at spacing of 6 m x 3 m or 6 m x 2
m. For ultra-high density planting, the row to row distance
of 2 m and plant to plant distance of 1 m is followed.
However, frequent pruning should be practiced in all
cases. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Drip
system requirement |
|
| |
Area:
1 ha, Planting geometry: 5 m x 5 m |
|
| |
Variable
items: 63 mm ? PVC/HDPE pipe-102 m, 12mm ?
LDPE lateral pipe-2000 m, Online dripper (8 l/h)-800
Nos., Control valve-2 Nos., Flush valve -
2 Nos., Tees/bends-1 No., Accessories.
|
|
|
| |
Fixed
items: Screen filter (15m3/ h)-1 No., Bypass
assembly-1 No., Fertilizer applicator-1 No., Accessories. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Irrigation
scheduling |
|
| |
The
daily water requirement of guava varies from 15.6 to
61.0 l/d/plant respectively in the month of December
and April. The annual water requirement of guava grown
at the spacing of 5 m x 5.5 m is 3854 m3/ha. Drip irrigation
on alternate or 2-days interval is recommended. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Advantages
of drip irrigation |
|
| |
Saves water. |
|
| |
Enhances plant
growth and yield. |
|
| |
Saves energy
and labour. |
|
| |
Most suited
for soil having low water holding capacity and undulating
terrain. |
|
| |
Reduces weed
growth. |
|
| |
Improves fertilizer
application efficiency. |
|
| |
Improves quality
of produce. |
|
| |
Reduces salt
concentration in the root zone. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Application
of fertilizers |
|
| |
In
the first year after planting 260g Urea, 375g single
supper phosphate and 100 g Muriate of Potash is applied
along with 50 kg FYM for each plant. This dose is increased
every year up to 5 years in the multiplication of first
year’s dose, along with 50 kg FYM. This mixture
of fertilizers should be applied in four to five split
doses between June and September along with drip irrigation
in the periphery of each tree. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Weed
control |
|
| |
Weeding
is an important practice to reduce the losses of fertilizer
and moisture from the plant basin.
Mulching conserves soil moisture by reducing evaporation
losses. Black plastic mulch checks the weed growth
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Intercropping |
|
| |
In
the early stages of establishment of guava orchard,
the inter-space between guava plants can be utilized
by growing vegetables and other crops like pineapple,
peas, gram, beans etc. When the guava trees are fully
grown, intercropping with shade loving plants such as
ginger, turmeric etc. can be practiced to utilize the
land efficiently. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Plant
protection |
|
| |
The
particulars of major pests and diseases of guava and
their control measures are described below. |
|
|
| |
Guava
Fruit Fly: During monsoon season, the adult
lays eggs on the surface of the fruits. On hatching
the maggots enter into the fruits and cause fruit drop.
Plucking and burning of all affected fruits are generally
recommended. The soil around the tree should be raked
during summer months and spray of Malathion 0.05% solution
should be applied as control measures |
|
|
| |
Mealy
Bug: Mealy bugs suck sap from young leaves,
twigs and flowers. The affected plants dry up and the
yield is considerably reduced. In order to control mealy
bug the tree should be banded with polyethylene so that
the nymphs are prevented from climbing up from the soil
surface and spray of 0.1% Metacid is recommended as
a control measure. |
|
|
| |
Guava
Wilt: Guava wilt is caused by fungi. The affected
plants show yellowing of leaves followed by drying of
leaves and twigs from the tip and finally wilting of
the whole tree. As control measures: a) 15 g of Bavistine
should be applied at the basin of each plant after pruning
in the month of March, June and September, b) the balance
nutrients specially nitrogen should be applied and c)
resistant varieties should be grown. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Harvesting,
yield and quality control |
|
| |
Guava
is harvested twice in a year, first between August and
September and again between the month of December and
February. The guava fruit should be picked immediately
when it is mature, because it cannot be retained on
the tree till the ripening stage. Individual hand picking
at regular intervals is recommended. The guava yield
ranges from 10 to 11.25 mt/ha. The fruits produced during
winter are excellent in quality. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Post
harvest handling and storage |
|
| |
Guava
has a short shelf-life but it can be stored for few
weeks at temperatures below 8 to 10oC. Storage under
modified atmosphere, in poly bags has been found effective
in extending the shelf life of guava. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Cost
economics |
|
| |
Area:
1 ha, Planting geometry: 5 m x 5 m |
|
|
| |
Fixed cost of
drip system: Rs. 30,298 |
|
| |
Rate of interest
: 10.5% |
|
| |
Life of drip
system : 7.5 years |
|
| |
Annual cost
of drip system: Rs. 8,713 |
|
| |
Cost of cultivation:
Rs. 21,500 |
|
| |
Expected yield:
24 t/ha |
|
| |
Expected Benefit-Cost
ratio: 2.5 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
CONTACT
ADDRESS |
|
| |
Dr. K. N. Tiwari
Professor & Principal Investigator
Precision Farming Development Centre
Agricultural & Food Engineering Department
IIT Kharagpur (W.B.) 721 302
Tel: 03222-283150 (O)/ 283151 (R)
Fax: 03222-282244 / 255303 (O) |
|
| |
Email: kamlesh@agfe.iitkgp.ernet.in,
pfdc_kharagpur@yahoo.com
|
|
| |
|
|