Guava

Guava is one of the cherished fruit crops of India. It is considered to be one of the exquisite, nutritionally valuable and remunerative fruit. Besides its high nutritive value, it bears heavy crop every year and gives handsome economic returns involving little inputs. But, of late, this crop has exhibited a paradigm shift in the production system, from subsistence farming to commercial production. The traditional system of cultivation has often posed problems in attaining desired levels of productivity due to large tree canopy. Hence, a need arose to improve the existing production system, besides increasing its productivity. The evergreen fruits, in general, are regarded as not responding to pruning. However, a number of observations made in guava has conclusively proved the effectiveness of this important operation in maintaining the sustained fruit yield and keeping the plant well within, manageable limits. The efforts have been made to deal in full details on guava wherever deemed to be necessary. This book covers comprehensively the efficient propagation technique (wedge grafting), commercial cultivars, high density planting, meadow orcharding, tree canopy architecture, modification of existing tree canopy, cropping pattern, crop regulation, fertigation and irrigation scheduling, use of mulching in relation to moisture conservation, post harvest management, value addition, integrated insect pest and disease management, marketing, key points for profitable guava cultivation, etc. The author with his rich experience in guava, has covered the subject matter from theoretical and practical angles in a way that even the beginners in guava orcharding will find it useful. Author avoided deep technical aspect to make this information more handy and of practical use in the field. In addition, to its usefulness for the professionals, students and teachers, this book will be of great help to the gardeners.