Studies on Floral Bud Development and Flowering Behaviour of Guava (Psidium Guajava L.)

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an important and common fruit of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and is known as the “Apple of Tropics”. The current study was carried out to investigate the floral biology of two important guava cultivars, Lucknow-49 and Lalit. The cultivar Lalit was the first to begin flowering (29th April) earlier than the cultivar L-49 (3rd May). Lalit had the longest flowering period of 51 days, while L-49 had the shortest flowering period of 43 days during the rainy season flowering. Both the cultivars came to full bloom during the first fortnight of May to mid-June. The flowers bear on the current season's growth in the axils of leaves either solitary or in cymes of two or three. The flowers are white. Floral buds passed through eight distinct stages in both cultivars. The cultivar Lalit (47 days) took more number of days than L-49 (38 days). Opening of flowers and dehiscence of anthers took place early in the morning hours in both the cultivars. The optimum time of anthesis was found from 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM with the peak period of anthesis from 5:30 to 6:30 AM in both the cultivars. The optimum time for anther dehiscence is 6:30 to 9:30 AM with the peak period of anther dehiscence from 7:30 to 9:30 AM in both the cultivars.