Effect of time of pruning on flowering and fruiting of guava

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted with the objective to advance the time of maturity and improve the quality of winter season crop of guava cv. Shweta. On the entire tree, the 50 per cent portion from apex of one-year-old shoot was headed back on 15th and 30th of March, April, May and June months. This was being compared with trees left un-pruned (control). Amongst various time of pruning, March-April pruning treatments showed maximum flowering percentage during the months of April and May, while, May-June pruned trees shows maximum flowering percentage in the months of July and August. This shifting of flowering percentage helps in the early fruit maturity and more yield during the winter season of guava. Earliest harvesting and maximum fruit yield in winter season was recorded in trees pruned on 30th May. Harvesting time was significantly decreased with the delay in pruning time. Duration of fruit harvesting span in late pruned trees was also observed and found significantly lower than control trees.