Article on influence of bio-regulators on guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. L-49 along with crop regulation by branch bending and shoot pruning under South-East conditions of Odisha

Abstract

The ‘apple of the tropics’ or ‘poormans apple’ is one of the most important fruit crops grown in India. The guava fruit has gained a considerable prominence on account of its high food value, a pleasant aroma, rich flavour and availability in the market at moderate prices (Bal and Dhaliwal, 2003). It is one of the most important fruit in terms of area and production after mango, banana and citrus. It is a good source of Vitamin C (260-300mg/100g of pulp) and highest fibre content 6.9%. Presently, the productivity of guava is smaller than productive potential primarily due to traditional system of wider planting and secondarily due to poor canopy management practices. The basic principle of crop regulation is to manipulate the natural flowering and fruiting of guava plant in desired season of the year that contribute to increased fruit yield, quality, profitability and sustainability of the environment by reducing the use of the frequency of the pesticides. Shoot bending is one of the ways to produce better quality fruits in the off-season.