Allahabad Safeda Research Articles

Studies of different guava cultivars (Psidium guajava L.) for nutritional and livelihood security suited to degraded soils

Guava trees are well adapted to a wide range of soil types including sands, loams, rock-based soils, muck degraded soils. A soil pH of 4.5 to 7 is ideal but plants do well in high pH soils (7-8.5) if supplied with chelated iron materials. Guava trees produced by air-layering or cuttings generally have a shallow root system with most roots within 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) of the soil surface. Three varieties, viz. , Lucknow-49, Allhabad safeda and Apple guava are of immense commercial importance but the physico-chemical studies of these varieties have not been taken up by any previous workers who have described various guava varieties. The present studies, therefore, provides a details information on physico-chemical characteristics of the varieties collected from the guava orchards of the fruits Research farm, Imalia, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.). An investigation was carried out to evaluate the physical character i.e. weight, size length, diameter and specific gravity. Guava variety Allahabad safeda was found to top the list in relation to all the parameters and observed maximum values and proved significantly superior over both the varieties Lucknow-49 and Apple guava, respectively. Chemical composition of the fruits of Lucknow-49 showed superior with respect to pH, acidity, ascorbic acid, pectin, fibre, total soluble solid, total sugar, reducing and non-reducing sugars compared to Allahabad safeda and Apple guava. The above findings clearly indicate that the variety Lucknow-49 is to be the best variety with respect quality constituents required for making various guava processed products for nutritional and livelihood security.

Energy input, output and economic analysis in organic production of guava (Psidium guajava) cv. Allahabad Safeda

An energy workout for any crop production suggests managing energy inputs and improving energy productivity in crop production. Based on this theory, energy input and out put in organic and conventional production of guava cv. Allahabad Safeda was worked out. Machinery consumed less energy (577.8 MJ) and chemical fertilizers ranked first (10 088 MJ) in energy consumption. Maximum input energy was consumed (13523.41 MJ) in application ofrecommended doses of chemical fertilizers as compared to (5216.9 MJ) in T3. Output input and energy ratio (9.90) was highest in T3 compared to 3.48 with application of recommended dose of chemical fertilizers. Net return (Rupees 126895/ha) and benefit cost ratio (4.26) was computed maximum in T3 compared to Rupees 47,570 and 2.82 in T4.

Morphological and physiological characterization of guava (Psidium guajava) under hot-arid zone of Rajasthan

This study was carried out to investigate morpho-physiological and productivity characteristics of four genotypes of five years old guava (Psidium guajava L.) trees, grown under hot-arid zone of Rajasthan. Preliminary investigation indicated that all four cultivars of guava could survive except merely 10.0% field mortality in guava cv. L-49. The maximum increase in plant height (25.93%) and number of new leaves/branch (4.66) over six months of planting were recorded in Sweta, followed by Lalit, while during fruiting (August for rainy season guava) highest number of new shoot sprouts/branch was found in Allahabad Safeda, followed by Sweta. Lalit and Sweta also produced substantial number of new leaves/branch during fruiting, than the other cultivars. Chlorophyll a (Chla), chlorophyll b (Chlb) and total chlorophyll (Chltotal) contents were highest in L-49, followed by Lalit. The leaves produced on Sweta received lesser photosynthetically active radiations (PAR) but had highest leaf area (80.91 cm2), specific leaf area (SLA; 36.61 cm2/g) and relative water content (RWC; 60.19%). Although L-49 had thicker leaves (lowest SLA; 33. 29 cm2/g), indicating better adaptation towards resource poor environment but other cultivars of guava also had SLA at par among other three cultivars. Allahabad Safeda received maximum PAR (1066 μE/m2/s), also had highest internal CO2 concentration (Ci; 207.76 μmol/mol), while highest net photosynthesis rate (PN; 10.84 μmol CO2/m2/s), carboxylation efficiency (CE) and water use efficiency (WUE) were observed in Lalit. Guava cv. L-49, however, showed lowest PN (6.31 μmol C02/m2/s), Ci, WUE, transpiration rate (E) and CE. Thus, guava cultivars Sweta followed by Lalit performed better under hot-arid environment with better growth and physiological adaptation. L-49 was not found suitable for the area.

Biochemical changes in guava (Psidium guajava) fruits during different stages of ripening

The present study was undertaken at Experimental Orchard of the Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Udheywalla, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, J & K, India. The study was undertaken in seven guava (Psidium guajava L.) cultivars at three different developmental stages, viz. green mature stage (GMS), half ripe stage (HRS) and full ripe stage (FRS). The results of the present study revealed that with the advancement of fruit maturity at different stages, the total soluble solids (TSS), sugar (total sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugar), ascorbic acid contents increased significantly while, during fruit ripening acidity and pectin decreased. Of all the cultivars studied, L-49 showed highest TSS (12.250B) followed by Allahabad Safeda (10.750B). However, total sugar (8.50%) and ascorbic acid (265.09%) were also maximum in L-49 followed by Allahabad Safeda at FRS, L-49 showed minimum acidity (0.26%) and maximum pectin content (0.77%) followed by (0.23 and 0.73%, respectively) in Allahabad Safeda. Pectin methyl esterase (PME) activity increased progressively in all the cultivars up to HRS and subsequently decreased at FRS. Maximum PME activity was found in L-49 (56.25 units/g.f.wt) at HRS whereas, it showed a decrease at FRS (52.25 units/g fresh weight (FW) followed by Allahabad Safeda and Lalit. It is thus concluded that L-49 was superior among all the commercial cultivars of guava grown under sub-tropic condition followed by Allahabad Safeda and Lalit.

Inheritance studies and validation of hybridity in guava (Psidium guajava)

The guava (Psidium guajava L.) having originated in tropical America and rich in nutrients is extensively cultivated in India. The varieties observed in India are of two types with white and pink pulp. Three white pulp varieties (Allahabad Safeda, Sardar Guava and Apple Colour) and two pink pulp varieties (Purple Local and Thailand) were utilized for crossing and 800 progenies were raised. The ANOVA showed that there is significant variability within the progenies for most of the traits in all the half-sib families. The genotypic variance was observed to be higher than the phenotypic variance for all the characters except TSS indicating non-additive gene action for TSS. Heritability (ns) was observed to be high for all the characteristics except TSS, indicating that heterosis can be exploited for TSS. The genotypic correlation coefficient was observed to be higher than the phenotypic correlation coefficient between pairs of characters, indicating that strong intrinsic correlations are reduced at the phenotypic level. The association of characteristics was observed to be negative between fruit weight and seed hardness, both at the phenotypic and genotypic level, indicating that selecting medium sized fruits would help in isolating progenies with moderately soft seeds. One of the important findings of this study is the co-heritability estimate, which was noticed to be high for all the pairs of characteristics indicates that selection for one character would help in the heritability of the other. Validation of hybridity was carried out using highly polymorphic SSR markers which were selected based on earlier screening at IIHR, Bengaluru. The SSR markers, SSR 220 and 185 gave clear reproducible bands, which clearly confirmed the hybridity of the progenies.

Standardization of Protocol for Best Blending Ratio of Papaya cv. Red Lady and Guava cv. Allahabad Safeda Fruit Pulp for Preparation of Fruit Bar

Standardization of Protocol for Best Blending Ratio of Papaya cv. Red Lady and Guava cv. Allahabad Safeda Fruit Pulp for Preparation of Fruit Bar

Influence of chitosan coating and storage temperatures on postharvest quality of guava

The effect of chitosan coating on postharvest quality of guava cv. Allahabad Safeda fruits stored at room temperature, 12° and 8°C was investigated. The fruits were either treated with chitosan (1 and 2%), acetic acid 1% or untreated and various quality attributes were studied at the end of storage period. Among the different treatments and temperatures, the chitosan 1% treated fruits stored at 12°C had shown higher firmness, TSS, titratable acidity and maintained greenness with a slow increase in yellow colour by the end of storage life. Also, the total antioxidant capacity, total phenols and total flavonoids of these fruits were well maintained by the time they are full ripe. Chitosan 1% and storage temperature of 12°C can be used for extending the storage life of guava upto 21 days with least deterioration in postharvest quality.

Biochemical changes in guava (Psidium guajava) cv. Allahabad Safeda fruits as a function of maturity stages

The effects of maturity stage and harvesting season were investigated on fruit quality attributes like total antioxidant activity (DPPH), total flavanoids, total phenolics, H2O2 scavenging activity and ascorbic acid content in fruits of guava (Psidium guajava L) cv. Allahabad Safeda obtained from ICAR-CSSRI, Karnal guava orchard. Based on fruit colour and firmness, fruits representing four distinct maturity stages, i.e., immature, mature, ripe and overripe; and two crop seasons, i.e. summer and winter; were selected for biochemical analysis. Significant differences were observed in the antioxidant activities and chemical composition of the fruits at different maturity stages during summer and winter seasons of harvesting. Guava fruits collected in winter season showed higher antioxidant activity, flavanoids content, total phenolics, H2O2 scavenging activity and ascorbic acid content as compared with summer season fruits. Immature fruits had higher antioxidant activity, flavanoids content and total phenol content (49.35%, 26.98 mg/100g and 24.84 mg TA/g) during both the seasons than mature (40.02%, 24.22 mg/100g and 23.95 mg TA/g), ripe (31.76%, 20.54 mg/100g and 23.62 mg TA/g) and overripe fruits (25.7%, 17.04 mg/100g and 23.17 mg TA/g), respectively. In contrast, H2O2 scavenging activity increased with maturity in both the seasons and was found to be maximum in over ripe fruits (501.48 μmol/g). Ripe fruits had the highest ascorbic acid content (205.03 mg/100 g) that considerably decreased in over ripe fruits (137.25 mg/100 g). These findings indicated that both maturity stage and harvesting season significantly influenced fruit biochemical composition in guava cv. Allahabad Safeda. Season and maturity stage-specific variations in fruit quality assume significance from post-harvest management and consumer preference perspectives.

Unequal Probability Scheme for Fruit Count in a Guava Tree

Data on fruit count corresponding to primary, secondary and tertiary branches of a randomly selected guava CV. Allahabad Safeda were recorded from the guava orchard of Horticultural Research Station, Birauli. The proposed sampling scheme in which the selection probabilities are based on length of braches between two forking points was compared with equal probability(PE), probability proportional to the number of branches(PPN), probability proportional to the cross sectional area (PPA) and probability proportional to volume (PPV) method of sampling and found to be more efficient.

Effect of different factors on in vitro growth and shoot proliferation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda

In the present experiment an attempt has been made to optimize the effect of different medium, levels of sucrose, pH, adenine sulphate and light intensity for culture establishment and shoot proliferation in guava using nodal segment explants. Culture establishment was greatly influenced by media types. Maximum establishment ofexplants (74.57%) was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BAP + 0.2 mg/l IBA. In proliferation study, the maximum shoot proliferation was observed in MS + 1 mg/l BAP + 0.25 mg/l GA3. Sucrose 3% was found to be more favorable for maximum proliferation and growth of shoots moreover, it was reduced gradually as increased or decreased levels of sucrose from 30 g/l. among the various pH levels tested, pH 5.5 recorded maximum number of shoots (8.08) and maximum length of shoots (3.75 cm).In proliferation medium the length of shoot, numbers of shoots and growth rate were increased as increased the adenine sulphate level in the medium. Maximum proliferation was observed on 160 mg/l adenine sulphate in the medium. High light intensity 3000 lux was found to be most suitable for proper growth of regenerated shoots. Low light intensity (1000 lux) resulted in stunted growth. All the above factors significantly influenced shoot multiplication and growth. Thus, optimization of these factors showed significantly increased number of shoots and rapid multiplication. This could be useful for the in vitro production of cost effective healthy planting material of guava

Impact of salicylic acid on the physiological and quality attributes of guava (Psidium guajava) fruits during storage at low temperature

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) fruits of cv. Allahabad Safeda were treated with salicylic acid (SA) or 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) at 1 mM and 2 mM concentration and stored at 10oC for 12 days. After storage, fruits were transferred to ambient conditions for 3 days shelf-life stimulation period and then observations were recorded up to 12+3 days. Results revealed that fruits treated with SA or SSA at 2 mM concentration showed minimum weight loss and colour change but maintained maximum firmness, total phenolics and ascorbic acid content. Fruits treated with SA or SSA @ 2 mM also showed suppressed and/or delayed the respiration and ethylene production and minimum increase in SSC as compared to untreated samples. Hence, SA or SSA 2 mM can be effectively used for maintenance of desired post-harvest quality and extending the market life of guava fruits during storage at 10oC followed by 3 days of stimulated shelf-life period.

Growth and Mineral Nutrition in Salt Stressed Guava ( Psidium guajava L.) cv . Allahabad Safeda

Guav a cv . Allahabad Safeda w as grown in saline soils and irrigated with the best av ailable w ater -1 -1 + -1 (EC 2.8 dS m ). Based on chemical composition (pH- 7.1, EC - 2.8 dS m , Na - 20.04 meq l and IW IW sodium adsorption ratio- 4.86), irrigation w ater w as categorized as marginally saline. The soil pH 2 -1 w as mostly below 8.5 but mean electrical conductivity (EC ) v alues ranged from 0.5-2 dS m 2 indicating moderate to high salinity in the experimental soil. After one-y ear of experimentation, fiv e plants randomly selected from each treatment and the data w ere recorded. Plant height -1 -1 significantly increased (LSD 5%) with increase in salinity from 0.5 dS m to 1.4 dS m . A similar -1 trend w as noted with respect to stem girth. The av erage plant height at 0.5, 0.9 and 1.4 dS m salinity lev els w as 98.3 cm, 108.3 cm and 123 cm, respectiv ely whereas the corresponding stem girth v alues -1 w ere 2.24 cm, 2.28 cm and 2.46 cm. At 2 dS m salinity ,how ev er , both av erage plant height (94.6 cm) and stem girth (2.24 cm) significantly decreased and w ere found to be comparable to control (0.5 dS -1 + -1 m ) v alues. Plants show ed negligible Na accumulation in leav es up to 1.4 dS m salinity , but -1 + exposure to elev ated salinity (2 dS m ) significantly increased leaf Na (0.16% DW). These data -1 indicated a salinity tolerance (EC )threshold of about 1.5 dS m inguav a cultiv ar Allahabad Safeda.

Pre-harvest application of salicylic acid and n-propyl gallate for enhancing shelf-life of guava

Present investigation was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of pre-harvest application of salicylic acid (SA) and N-propyl gallate (n-PG) for enhancing the postharvest shelf-life and quality of winter guava fruit cv. Allahabad Safeda during two seasons. Pre-harvest application of aqueous solutions of salicylic acid (150, 300, 450 ppm) or N-propyl gallate (100, 200, 300 ppm) was done at 2 and 4 weeks before harvest. Fruits were harvested during third week of December at the firm mature stage, packed in corrugated fibre board boxes with newspaper lining and stored in a walk-in-cold room maintained at 6–8°C and 90–95% RH. Fruits were analyzed at weekly intervals to evaluate various quality attributes. In control fruits harvested from untreated trees, weight loss and decay incidence increased, whereas, firmness, ascorbic acid, acidity, total phenols and pectin content decreased during the storage. Fruits treated with n-PG (300 ppm) showed minimum decay incidence (16.55%), reduced pectin methylesterase activity (2.96 μg/g FW), enhanced firmness (66.1 N), total soluble solids (9.96°Brix), acidity (0.35%), pectin (1.16% calcium pectate) and phenol contents (145.58 mg GAC/100 g pulp), and also maintained highly acceptable organoleptic rating up to 3 weeks of storage. Fruits subjected to SA treatments were intermediate in quality attributes between that of the control and n-PG treated fruits.

Morphological and physico-chemical characteristics of guava genotypes

The present investigation deals with the morphological and physico-chemical characterization of eight guava genotypes. Significant variations were present with reference to various morphological and biochemical characteristics among the genotypes. Different plant characters ranged as; tree height from 2.04 m in RCGH-11 to 3.52 m in RCGH-1, tree spread from 2.88 m in RCGH-11 to 6.13 m in RCGH-1, stem girth from 22.67 cm in MPUAT-Sel-2 to 33.65 cm in RCGH-1, cross sectional trunk area from 34.49 cm2 in MPUAT Sel-2 to 71.25 cm2 in RCGH-1, number of petals per flower from 4.2 in Arka Kiran to 10.20 in RCGH-1, number of stamens per flower from 440.4 in MPUAT Sel-2 to 536.60 in RCGH7, leaf length from 10.75 cm in RCGH-11 to 13.96 cm in MPUAT Sel-1, leaf width from 4.36 cm in CISH-G-25 to 7.08 cm in MPUAT Sel-2, length: width from 1.87 in RCGH-11 to 2.73 in RCGH-1, leaf area from 65.1 cm2 in CISH-G-35 to 95.71 cm2 in MPUAT Sel-2, number of veins from 19.60 in MPUAT Sel-2 to 26.60 in RCGH-11, leaf fresh weight from 1.10 g in MPUAT Sel-1 to 1.99 g in MPUAT Sel-2, leaf dry weight from 0.66 g in MPUAT Sel-1 to 1.02 g in MPUAT Sel-2, chlorophyll from 0.005 mg/g in Arka Kiran to 0.010 mg/g in CISH-G-35, nitrogen from 0.134% in Allahabad Safeda to 0.329% in MPUAT Sel-2, phosphorus from 0.119% in RCGH-7 to 0.179% in MPUAT Sel-2, potassium from 0.202% in RCGH-11 to 0.812% in CISH-G-35, boron from 49.90 ppm in Arka Kiran to 76.67 ppm in RCGH-7, zinc from 140.24 ppm in Allahabad Safeda to 279.55 ppm in Arka Kiran, iron from 645.67 ppm in Allahabad Safeda to 1382.23 ppm in Arka Kiran, leaf colour from light green in MPUAT Sel-1 and RCGH-1 and dark green in CISH-G-35 and RCGH-11 to green in rest. However, petiole length did not vary significantly. Leaf shape varied from lanceolate in MPUAT Sel-1, oblanceolate in Arka Kiran and RCGH-1 to oblong in rest, leaf apex from acute in MPUAT Sel-1, rounded in CISH-G-35 to obtuse in rest, leaf base from obtuse in MPUAT Sel-1 to rounded in rest, colour of young leaves from light green in Allahabad Safeda, dark green in RCGH-11 to green in rest, tree growth habit from spreading in MPUAT Sel-1, MPUAT Sel-2 and Arka Kiran to upright in rest and flower colour remained white among different genotypes.

Effect of Spacing on Production and Yiled of Different Varieties of Guava(PsigiumguajavaL.) Under High Density Plantingin Western Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh

An experiment was conducted at Zonal Research Centre-Ujhani (Budaun)-243631 (U.P.) during 2006 to evaluate the performance of High Density Planting of Guava (Psigiumguajava L.). The guavavarieties Pant Prabhat, L-49 and Allahabad Safeda were collected from GBPUAT, Pantnagar and planted at Horticulture Section in August, 2006 at four spacingviz; 5mx5m, 3.0m x 3.0m, 2.5mx2.5m and 2.0mx2.0m. Normal package of practices were applied in both the system of plantings. The maximum fruit yield 402.9 1q/ha was noted in Pant Prabhat variety whereas the minimum 283.83q/ha was recorded in L-49 under 2mx2m density of planting; however, the minimum fruit yield was noted under 5mx5m density planting inall the three varieties as compared to other plant spacings at 6th year of age during rainy season of fruiting. The observations showed that fruit yield ratio of normal system of planting (5x5m) to Ultra High Density Planting were 1: 3.64, 1: 3.11 and 1: 3.67 were noted in Pant Prabhat, L-49 and Allahabad Safeda varieties, respectively at 6th year of age. So, it is a very informative and need of the hour to plant HDP system of guava just to get almost 3 times more yield for increasing guava productivity and to reach this apple of tropicsto the common people.

Effect of Different Packaging Materials on Physical Parameters and Self-Life of Guava(Psidium GuajavaL.)

The main achievement of present finding is that quality guava cultivar Allahabad Safeda and Lalit with nutritional properties. Black polythene was found good for improving significantly length, width and size, volume of fruit, Specific gravity and Physiological loss in weight (PLW) fruits. The tissue paper is useful for PLW of guava fruits. These treatments were found to be the good for 16 days of storage in both cultivar Allahabad Safeda and Lalit. Cultivar Allahabad Safeda has given better as compared to Lalit.

Molecular Exploration of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Genome Using SSR and RAPD Markers: A Step towards Establishing Linkage Map

In the present study, molecular evaluation of two guava mapping populations (MP), MPI comprising 94 F1 progenies and MPII comprising 46 F1 progenies, was carried out using simple sequence repeat (SSR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. A pseudo-test cross strategy was implemented where 'Kamsari' X 'Purple Local' and 'Purple Local' X 'Allahabad Safeda' were crossed, and, these showed variation in fruit quality traits such as seedstrength (hardness/softness), fruit weight, TSS and pulp color. A set of 30 RAPD markers was used for genotyping MPI while a set of 55 SSR markers was used for genotyping MPII. In case of MPI, 30 RAPD markers generated 214 scorable markers, of which 80 markers were specific to 'Kamsari', 14 markers to 'Purple Local' and the remaining 120 were intercross markers. As for MPII, 55 polymorphic SSR markers resulted in generation of 207 alleles (with a maximum of 4 alleles and a minimum of 3 alleles per locus), of which 108 alleles were specific to 'Purple Local' while 99 were specific to 'Allahabad Safeda'. Genotypic data thus generated can be further exploited for constructing genetic linkage maps and mapping complex QTLs governing fruit quality traits in guava..

Effect of Post-Harvest Fungal Pathogens on Fruit Quality in Guava Cv. Allahabad Safeda

Fruits of guava cultivar 'Allahabad Safeda' at mature yellowish-green stage were collected from Allahabad fruit market. Nine post-harvest fungal pathogens were isolated from these fruits. Of these, two isolates with highest incidence, namely, Pestalosia psidii (fruit canker causing pathogen) and Gloeosporium psidii(anthracnose causing pathogen) were used in the study. Fruits inoculated with the pathogens and Control (a lot of fruits with no treatment) were stored at ambient temperature. The fruits were analyzed for various quality attributes at different storage intervals for upto 15 days. Data revealed that fruits in all the treatments showed a lower fruit-weight loss compared to the untreated fruits. TSS, acidity (%) and ascorbic acid content (mg/100g) were also found to decrease in relation to the Control at 5, 10 or 15 days of storage. The least PLW was recorded in Gloeosporium psidii-treated fruits, followed by those treated with Pestalosia psidii. But for the bio-chemical changes (also due to post-harvest fungi) Gloeosporium psidii-treated fruits had higher TSS, acidity (%) and ascorbic acid content (mg/100g) than Pestalosia psidii-treated fruits.

Enhancing postharvest shelf life and quality of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda by pre-harvest application of hexanal containing aqueous formulation.

Postharvest shelf life and quality parameters were evaluated for winter guava fruit cv. ‘Allahabad Safeda’ that had beensubjected to preharvest sprays during two seasons. To enhance the postharvest shelf life and quality of guava, a novel technology involvingpreharvest spray applications of an aqueous hexanal formulation(EFF-0.01%, 0.015% and 0.02% v/v final; 0.8mM, 1.2mM and 1.6mM final respectively) was applied and its effect was compared with those observed afterspray applications of calcium nitrate.Fruit were harvested during the third week of December at the firm mature stage, packed in corrugated fibre board boxes with newspaper lining and stored in a walk-in-cold room maintained at 6–8°C and 90–95% RH. Fruit were analyzed at weekly intervals for five weeks of storage to evaluate various quality attributes. In control fruit harvested from untreated trees, weight loss, and decay incidence increased, whereas, firmness, ascorbic acid, acidity, total phenols and pectin content decreased during storage. Fruit treated with 0.015% v/vof hexanal formulation showed minimum decay incidence, reduced pectin methylesterase activity, increased firmness, total soluble solids, acidity, pectin and phenol contents, and also maintained highly acceptable organoleptic ratingsfor up to 4 weeks of storage. Fruit subjected to Ca(NO3)2 treatments were intermediate in quality attributes between that of the control and EFF-treated fruit.

Economic Analysis of Post-Harvest Loss and Marketing Efficiency in Guava (cv. Allahabad safeda) in Karnataka

Post-harvest losses (PHL) in guava (cv. Allahabad safeda) were estimated at the field and retail levels in Karnataka, and impact of this loss on marketing efficiency was studied. Results indicated that the total PHL was 13.29% consisting of field-level loss (9.17%) and retail level loss (4.12%). The producer's share was 51.52% and PHL, when included as an item of cost, reduced the share to 45.80%. PHL also reduced marketing efficiency index from 1.06 to 0.88, thereby indicating the importance of PHL and scope for minimizing it to improve the efficiency of the marketing system in guava.