Response of extended pruning period and intensity on yield and quality attributes of guava

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of extended period and intensity of pruning on yield and quality attributes of guava cv. Lalit. Results indicated significant tree growth when pruning was done during May last week and the fruits matured 64.05 days in advance, compared to those pruned during July last week, while pruning severity delayed maturity. Fruit yield was significantly ameliorated in trees pruned during May and June last week compared to those pruned during July last week (42.90 and 46.25%, respectively). Total soluble solids were improved with delay in pruning from May to June, however, declined afterwards, whereas it was significantly more in trees pruned to 40 per cent level. There existed positive correlation of yield with canopy spread, trunk cross-sectional area, fruit length, fruit breadth, average individual fruit weight and TSS, while negative correlation with days required for fruit maturity. Therefore, pruning of guava cv. Lalit can be delayed upto last week of June with 40 per cent intensity so that availability spectrum of quality fruits can be extended during winter.