EVALUATION OF GUAVA GERMPLASM FOR GROWTH, QUALITY AND YIELD ATTRIBUTES SUITABLE UNDER SODIC SOIL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) popularly known as the "Apple of the Tropics", has gained considerable prominence on account of its high nutritive value, availability at moderate prices and pleasant flavour. It is a rich source of vitamin C and pectin, moderately good source of calcium and a fair source of phosphorus. The study was carried out to evaluate the guava (Psidium gujava L.) germplasm for growth, yield and quality under sodic soil condition. Totally 31 accessions of guava germplasm were collected and planted in RBD with 4 replications at Orchard, Horticultural College & Research Institute for Women, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Trichy and evaluated for 5 years (2014 to 2018) under sodic condition. Growth observations on plant height (m), trunk circumference (cm), plant spread (E – W) (m) and plant spread (N – S) (m) and tree volume (cm3 ) were recorded. Further, yield and quality attributes viz., number of fruits tree-1, fruit length, fruit diameter, average fruit weight, fruit yield tree-1, pulp colour, flesh thickness, rind thickness and TSS were also recorded. Among the guava germplasm, “Surka Chitti Natputani” was found to be vigorous in growth habit followed by “Mirzapur seedling” whereas dwarfness and erect growth were observed in “Cheeni guava”. The accession “Nasik” recorded the highest fruit yield (26.285 kg tree-1) followed by “Mirzapur Seedling” (24.277kg tree-1). Dessert quality attributes viz., rind thickness, soft seed and total soluble solid were found to be best in “Allahabad Safed”. The present studies impart knowledge on morphological, quantitative variation and quality parameters of guava fruits and can be useful for producers, breeders, and processors. The salt tolerant genotypes having the capable of maintaining osmotic potential and providing more food materials.