How Pruning Affects Guava Harvest Quality and Yield Throughout the Seasons

Greg Howard
2nd August, 2024

How Pruning Affects Guava Harvest Quality and Yield Throughout the Seasons

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University found that strategic pruning improves guava yield and quality
  • Pruning in spring led to the highest fruit yield in the June-August quarter, while autumn pruning favored the March-May quarter
  • The best fruit quality, with high TSS, sugars, and vitamin C, was achieved with 45 cm pruning in the March-May quarter
Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a popular fruit in tropical and sub-tropical regions, known for its nutritional benefits. However, producing high-quality guava fruits consistently throughout the year has been challenging due to varying weather conditions. A recent study conducted by researchers at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University aimed to address this issue by investigating the effects of different pruning techniques on the seasonal availability and quality of guava fruits[1]. The study focused on four pruning treatments: no pruning (0 cm), 15 cm, 30 cm, and 45 cm from the shoot-tip. These treatments were applied once a year during three different periods: spring (early March), monsoon (early June), and autumn (early September). Over two consecutive years (2019-2020 and 2020-2021), the researchers collected data on the number of fruits, fruit yield per plant, and various biochemical traits such as total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, total sugars, vitamin C content, and specific gravity. The data were grouped into four quarters: March-May, June-August, September-November, and December-February. The findings revealed that pruning significantly improved both the yield and quality of guava fruits compared to non-pruned plants. Specifically, the study found that the June-August and September-November quarters had the highest yields, while the March-May quarter produced fruits with the best quality. Spring pruning led to the maximum harvestable fruits in the June-August quarter, whereas autumn pruning favored the March-May quarter. This indicates that strategic pruning can enhance off-season harvests without compromising the main season yield and fruit quality. Previous research has also highlighted the importance of pruning in guava cultivation. A study found that pruning in spring and autumn resulted in higher yearly yields, with spring pruning being more effective for wet season production and autumn pruning for dry season production[2]. The same study also noted that 30 cm and 45 cm pruning lengths were optimal for vegetative and reproductive growth, with 30 cm pruning producing the highest number of flowers and fruits[2]. These findings are consistent with the current study, which also observed superior yields and fruit quality with 30 cm and 45 cm pruning treatments. The current study further detailed that fruits harvested in the March-May quarter under 45 cm pruning had notable TSS, sugars, vitamin C, and specific gravity, indicating superior quality. However, fruits from the June-August quarter were of inferior quality, regardless of the pruning treatment. This aligns with the earlier study's observation that fruits harvested in the March-May and December-February quarters were of better quality compared to those harvested in other periods[2]. By applying these pruning techniques, guava farmers can achieve a more consistent and high-quality yield throughout the year. This is particularly beneficial for regions with fluctuating weather conditions, as it allows for better planning and resource allocation. The study's findings provide a practical guide for enhancing guava production, especially during the lean seasons, thereby ensuring a steady supply of high-quality fruits in the market. In summary, the research conducted by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University demonstrates that strategic pruning can significantly improve the yield and quality of guava fruits. By adopting the recommended pruning techniques, farmers can enhance off-season harvests without sacrificing the main season yield, thereby addressing the challenges posed by fluctuating weather conditions in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The study builds on previous findings and offers a comprehensive approach to optimizing guava production year-round[2].

FruitsAgriculturePlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Dataset explaining the comparative seasonal crop load and harvest quality of guava upon pruning strategies.

Published 31st July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2024.110733

Related Studies

2) Pruning techniques affect flowering, fruiting, yield and fruit biochemical traits in guava under transitory sub-tropical conditions.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30064


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