Guava Cultivation in India — Allahabad Safeda and Commercial Production

Guava (Psidium guajava), known as Amrood, is one of India's most important tropical fruits. India is the world's largest producer. Uttar Pradesh (especially Allahabad/Prayagraj), Maharashtra (Nashik), Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar are major producers. The Allahabad Safeda variety is India's most famous commercial guava. LEADING VARIETIES Allahabad Safeda: White-fleshed, mild sweet flavor, excellent for fresh market; most commercially important in North India. L-49 (Lucknow 49 / Sardar): Yellow-fleshed, thick rind, good shelf life — best for distant markets. Arka Mridula: High yield, seeds less; developed by IIHR Bangalore. Lalit: Red-fleshed (lycopene-rich), good for processing; popular in western India. CLIMATE AND SOIL Tropical and subtropical climate; grows from sea level to 1500m altitude. Temperature 15-30 degrees C optimal. Tolerates frost slightly (up to -3 degrees C) but young plants need protection. Prefers well-drained loam to sandy loam; pH 5.5-7.5. Tolerates slightly saline conditions. PLANTING Spacing: 6m x 6m (standard); 3m x 3m (high-density; 1111 plants per ha). Best planting time: Monsoon onset (July-August) for rainfed; or February-March with irrigation. Pit size: 60cm x 60cm x 60cm; fill with topsoil + 20kg FYM + 500g superphosphate. IRRIGATION Young trees (1-3 years): Irrigate every 7-10 days in summer, 15 days in winter. Mature trees: Critical irrigation at fruit development stage. Total: 8-10 irrigations per year. Drip irrigation: Saves 40-50% water; improves fruit size and sugar content. NUTRITION Annual fertilizer per mature tree: FYM: 40-50 kg. Nitrogen: 450-600g (in 3 splits). Phosphorus: 300g. Potassium: 450-600g. Boron and Zinc sprays (0.3% each) improve fruit quality and prevent fruit cracking. TRAINING AND PRUNING Modified central leader system: Maintain 4-5 primary branches. After harvest, cut back fruiting shoots to 30cm to stimulate new growth. Remove crossed, dead, and diseased branches. MAJOR PESTS Fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis): Most serious; use methyl eugenol traps + malathion bait. Guava mealy bug: Spray Chlorpyriphos 2ml/L in June-July. Guava wilt (Fusarium): No cure; remove and burn affected trees; replant with resistant variety. YIELD AND HARVEST Yield begins in 2nd-3rd year; full yield by 5th-6th year. Mature orchard yield: 30-50 kg per tree per year (standard). Farm gate price: Rs 10-30 per kg (Allahabad Safeda). Processing: Guava is excellent for jam, jelly, juice, and nectar — value addition triples income.