Evaluation of guava varieties for growth, yield and quality attributes in Malwa Plateau conditions of Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

The performance of different varieties/germplasm of guava was assessed under Malwa Plateau conditions of Madhya Pradesh, viz., Dharidar, Chittidar, Apple colour, Rewa-72, Lucknow-49, Allahabad Safeda, Gwalior- 27, Surkhi, Anakapalli, Godhliwala, Chaitpur, Nasik, Dharwar, Lal Guda, Smooth Green, Chitabuwala, Abuwala, Supreme Side Malta, China Red and China White. Observations with respect to growth parameters were taken during the month of June-July where as fruit characters were recorded at the time of harvesting in December-January. The plant height was maximum in Dharidar (2.99 m) and minimum in China White (1.43 m). Canopy spread of the tree in North-South and East-West directions varied from 0.93-1.30 m and 0.81-1.20 m, respectively. The range of leaf size in terms of length and width was from 5.13-15.34 cm and 1.65- 6.74 cm, respectively in different varieties. Maximum fruit size was observed in Allahabad Safeda (8.79 cm × 8.44 cm) and minimum in China Red (3.57 cm × 3.56 cm). However, fruit weight varied from 31.0 to 235.0 g depending on cultivar and it was maximum in Allahabad Safeda (235.0 g) and minimum in China Red (31.0 g). Total pulp content was maximum in Allahabad Safeda (97.74%) and minimum in China Red (85.91%). The seed content was maximum in China red (14.09%). Besides, there were significant variation with regards to yield, vitamin-C, TSS and acidity in different cultivars. However, overall performance of the different cultivars that Allahabad Safeda, Lucknow-49, Rewa-72, Dharidar, Apple Colour and Gwalior-27 are promising for cultivation in Malwa Plateau conditions of Madhya Pradesh.