Guava in Pakistan, introduction and importance

Introduction and Importance

Guava (Psidium guajava L. Famly Myrtaceae) has attained commercial importance in tropics and subtropics because of its wide adaptability to varied soil and climatic conditions and as profilic bearer. Guava is believed to be originated in tropical America (Mexico to Peru). At present, it is mainly produced in South Asian countries, the Hawaiian Island, Cuba, Brazil, Pakistan and India. In Pakistan, it is grown in all the provinces over an area of 58.5 thousand hectares with production of 468.3 thousand tones Table 1. The major guava growing areas include Shariqpur, Kasur, Lahore, Sheikhupora, Sangla Hills, Gujranwala in the Punjab; Kohat, Haripur and Bannu in the North West Frontier Province and Larkana and Hyderabad in Sindh.

Presently guavas are grown almost entirely for fresh consumption. However, international market for fresh guavas is small. Nevertheless, more trade is carried on processed guava products like Juices and nectars, Jam and Jellies, fruit paste, canned whole and halves in syrup. Some traders believe that there is a good international market potential for fresh guavas and that demand will grow as more consumers become acquainted with this fruit. 

Table 1. Area and production of guava in Pakistan (1998-2005). 

Province
	1998-99	1999-00	2000-01		2001-02		2002-03		2003-04		2004-05
Punjab	50099	50248	51585		52195		50996		49917		51342
Sindh	4436	5995	6879		7180		7548		7624		7956
NWFP	3162	3194	3305		3286		3415		3478		3582
Baluchistan	833	833	1589		1596		814		589		591
Punjab	405714	421259		438419		444524		437122		454049		468819
Sindh	26600	38589		47287		53651		57273		58042		59270
NWFP	30475	30780		32317		32721		33343		34938		39875
Baluchistan	5501	3831		7519		7563		3827		2570		2578

Climate:
As already stated guava is successfully grown under tropical and subtropical climatic zones. In areas having distinct winter season, the yield tends to increase and quality improves. It can be grown from sea level to an altitude of about 1515 m. young plants are susceptible to drought and cold conditions. Dry atmosphere at the time of flowering and fruit setting is ideal whereas high temperature at fruit development causes fruit drop.

Soil:
The guava does equally well on heavy clay, to light sandy, graval bars near streams, or on limestone and tolrates a pH range from 4.5 to 9.4. It is some what salt resistant. Good dranage is recommended however, guavas are seen growing on land with high water table.

Propagation:
Guava is propagated generally through seed however, cuttings, air layering, grafting and budding is also practiced. Although guava is hard to root, investigations indicate that it can be successfully propagated from cuttings under mist. Leafy shoot-tip cuttings of current season growth (10-12 cm long) treated with Indole butyric acid give more that 80% rooting after six weeks when planted in sand under mist in greenhouse during July-August.

Commercial Varieties:

Safeda: Of medium size, with very thin skin, thick white flesh, few seeds.

Allahabad: Large white fleshed with few fairly hard seeds.

Karela: Medium large, pear shaped furrowed, rough skined with soft granular white flesh. Poor bearer.

Seed less: Medium to large, pear shape to avoid, with thick white flesh, firm to soft, light bearer.

Red fleshed: Of medium size with many fairly soft seeds, high in pectin and good for jelly.

Apple colour: Of medium size, slightly oblate deep pink skin, creamy white flesh, moderate amount of seeds, very sweet flavour. Heavy bearer, good keeping quality.

Production Technology:

Guava trees are planted at a distance of 5-6 meters. Trees grow rapidly and fruit in 2-4 years. They live 30-40 years but productivity declines after the 15th year. Orchard may be rejuvenated by drastic pruning. In guava, fruits are borne on current season's growth. Manuring and fertilization encourages vegetative growth and fruiting. A balanced supply of NPK gives increased yield with quality fruit. NPK at the ratio of 2:1:1 in two equally split doses once in January and other in August is recommended according to plant age and soil conditions. Guava some time suffers from deficiency of zinc and iron. Spraying the trees with 7.0 gm per litter of ZnSo4 and 46.5 gm of FeSo4 improves yield and quality.

Pruning and Deblossoming:

Light annual pruning is necessary to encourage new growth after every harvest. Guava flowers twice a year, first in March to April for summer crop and then in August to September for winter crop. Blooming period varies from 25-45 days. Winter crop is usually preferred as it yields higher with fruit of better quality. It is also possible to obtain blooming in a desired season. Some of the growers adopt the practice of having a good winter crop by with holding water during summer or deblossoming the summer crop. Research workers have suggested 2,4-D @ 30 mg per litre of water as the most effective chemical for deblossoming of summer flowers. Guava fruit takes about 125 days to reach maturity after setting.

Harvesting:
At maturity fruit turns from green to oil green and at ripening creamy in colour. Hand picking of ripened fruits two to three times a week is suggested. The harvesting season many last 8-10 weeks. Fruit is highly perishable, therefore, it should be immediately marketed after harvest.

Diseases:
Other than insects during rainy season, the fungus, Phytophthora parasitica is responsible for fruit rot. Wilt, associated with the fungi Fusarium solani and Macrophomina phaseoli, brings about gradual decline and death of under nourished, 1-5 years old guava trees. Wilt is also caused by Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium psidii which invades the trunk and roots.

Key Reference : parc.gov.pk, www.agrihunt.com