Hello dedicated Indian farmers, our objective is to offer you valuable insights to enhance agricultural practices and increase yield. The following article focuses on the cultivation of guava crops, which hold significant importance as a commercial fruit in India.

Guava belongs to the Myrtaceae family, and this piece serves to provide guidance on farming techniques from seedling growth to harvesting in order to boost productivity.

A brief overview of guava

The scientific name of guava is Psidium guajava. It belongs to the family Myrtaceae. The native place of guava is Mexico. The mostly common type of guava is called apple guava.

In India, guava is primarily produced in areas such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, with the highest production in Uttar Pradesh. Hence, it is called India’s guava king.

Did you know?

Did you know? The guava leaves contain several compounds that act as anti-cancer properties. The leaf contains a high amount of antioxidants, which in turn prevent free radicals from damaging cells.

Why grow guava?

Let’s list the reasons for choosing it:

• Boosting immunity:

The guava leaves contain a high amount of vitamin C. The fruit has high antioxidants, which are good for health. It also enhances the function of the immune system.

• Anti-inflammatory properties:

Due to the presence of high antioxidants, it reduces the inflammation of the body, hence acting as an anti-inflammatory. It also reduces pain and acts as a pain reliever.

• Weight loss management:

The guava fruit contains a high amount of fiber which keeps you full for a long time. It is low in calories, hence helps in managing weight.

• Controls blood sugar:

The main compound in guava is vitamin C, which improves insulin resistance. Due to the fiber content, the absorption of sugar is slow.

• Gut friendly:

Guava contains a high fiber content, which is friendly to the gut. It also improves bowel movements.

• Improves heart health:

It reduces bad cholesterol in the body, and controls blood pressure, making it helpful in improving heart health.

Other benefits include being used in preparation of jams, jellies, and nectar.

Besides the fruit, guava leaves also have various benefits.They are:

• Useful for teeth to reduce bleeding gums

• Useful to regulate menstrual cramps

• Useful for hair fall purposes

• Also provide relief from diarrhea

For growing guava, these guidelines are observed:

Variety selection

The different varieties of guava are L-49, Allahabad Safeda, Banarasi, Chittidar, Redfleshed, White Indian, and Apple Seedless.

Soil preparation

Guava is grown in all types of soils. Guava is mostly suitable in heavy clay to very light sandy soils. Well-drained soil is also best. The pH required for growing guava is 5.5-7.5

Planting time

The soil must be ploughed and levelled for planting. The best time for growing guava is the rainy season, so they should be planted in the months of June and July. The ideal temperature for guava is 23-28°C.

Sowing and Spacing

The soil should be properly tilled and ready for sowing. The sowing depth should be 25cm. The spacing between guava plants should be 6m x 6m. Follow these guidelines for guava to flourish.

Perfect time for growing guava: The guava, when planted at the perfect time, gives good yields. The best time for growing guava is during the rainy season, which is June-July.

Nutrient management

Fertilizers should be given based on recommendations and soil tests to maximize benefits. For the rainy season crop, fertilizer is applied in the 1st week of May, and for the winter season crop, it should be applied in the 1st week of June.

Dosage of fertilizer used:

• Nitrogen: The amount of nitrogen fertilizer used is 900g .

• Phosphorus: The amount of phosphorus used is 600g .

• Potassium: The amount of potassium used is 600g .

Apply these suggestions and watch your guava reach full potential.

Irrigation insights

Water requirements:

The guava is usually grown in rainfed conditions. Hence, a high amount of irrigation should be given at 20-25 day intervals. For summer months, irrigation is provided at intervals of 10 to 15 days. The best type of irrigation used for guava is drip irrigation.

Protecting your crop: Integrated Pest Management:

Guard your crop, fight pests and diseases.

Common pests:The common pests of guava are fruit fly, bag-eating caterpillar, and fruit borers.

Management: This can be managed by spraying carbaryl at 0.2% or ethoprophos at 0.05%.

Common diseases: The most common diseases of guava are wilt, anthracnose, canker, damping off, and fruit rot.

Management: This can be managed by spraying Bordeaux mixture (3:3:50), copper oxychloride (0.3%), or lime sulfur.

The various IPM practices of guava are:

The best method in controlling disease is to grow resistant cultivars,

• Cultural practices are to be incorporated,

• Proper irrigation fertilizers and sanitation practices have to be followed,

• Infested fruits should be destroyed and removed,

• Damaged fruits should be collected and burned,

• Resistant varieties have to be used to prevent nematode infestation,

• Mulches have to be used in the growing season.

Weeding and intercultural practices in guava

Weeds are the undesirable plants in the field. They destroy the normal plant growth. They have to be removed and destroyed. Shallow cultivation is used to remove the weeds. Pre emergence of fertilizers such as simazine at 1.6 kg/ha or atrazine at 1.6 kg/ha have to be used to prevent weeds.

Harvesting and storage

Ensure you reap the benefits by properly harvesting and storing your guava.

When to harvest?

After planting for 2 to 3 years, the guava is ready for harvesting. When fruits get mature, they are ready; the fruit color changes from dark green to light green or yellow. Then this is the best time to pluck the fruits. Over ripening should be prevented as this reduces the quality of fruits.

Grading

Based on the size and color, these fruits are graded and arranged separately.

Post-harvest

After harvesting, the fruits are cleaned and grading should be done based on the size and the weight. Bamboo boxes or corrugated fiberboard boxes are used for packing.

Storage

As guava is a perishable fruit, it should be stored properly. At normal temperature, it can be stored for about 10 days. At low temperatures, it can be stored for 20 days.

Essential tools used for guava farming

The various tools used in guava farming are sprayers, dripper, pruner.

• Sprayers are used for spraying fertilizers and chemicals.

• Drippers are used for irrigation purposes.

• Pruner cutter is used for pruning purposes.

Conclusion

As we conclude our guide on guava cultivation, guava is a versatile fruit with medicinal properties. Remember that every step contributes to the sustainable and profitable farming.

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Wishing you a bountiful and prosperous Guava harvest! For further assistance or any queries E-mail us, please feel free to reach out to your local agricultural experts @ Agrigo 24/7