Effect of pruning intensity and growth regulators on fruit quality of guava under high-density planting

Abstract:

A guava orchard planted at high density can look impressive—until the canopy closes and fruit quality crashes. This research tested whether targeted pruning combined with gibberellic acid (GA³) sprays could restore fruit size and sweetness in a high-density guava (Psidium guajava cv. Allahabad Safeda) block at Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Seven treatments—three pruning intensities (light, medium, heavy), two GA³ concentrations (50, 100 ppm), a combined medium pruning + GA³ 50 ppm, and an unpruned control—were evaluated over two fruiting seasons (Rainy 2022 and Winter 2022–23). The combined treatment produced the highest fruit yield (29.6 kg tree^-1), 61% above the control, and improved TSS to 12.4 °Brix (vs. 9.8), vitamin C to 48.7 mg 100 g^-1 (vs. 34.2), and average fruit weight to 224 g (vs. 187 g). Heavy pruning alone reduced yield by stimulating excessive vegetative regrowth. These results show that moderate canopy management paired with exogenous gibberellin can unlock the productivity potential of high-density guava without sacrificing fruit quality.