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GUAVA

Local/Malay Name : Jambu Batu
Scientific Nama : Psidium guajava L

THE TREE

The guava is an evergreen tree reaching a height of 3 - 10m. The trunk is slender with a greenish-brown scaly bark which peels off in thin flakes. The white flowers are either solitary or in groups of two or three, arising from the leaf axils of younger branches. The fruit is round, ovoid or pear- shaped berry, 5 cm or more in diameter and 4 - 12cm long. It has a thin greenish-yellow skin and a flesh of varying thickness which may be white, yellow-pink or red. The outer layer of flesh is a finely granular pulp; the inside is softer pulp with many small hard seeds. Some varieties are seedless. The flavour is variable and is distinguished by a characteristic and penetrating musky aroma of varying intensity.

Guava, a native of tropical America is well distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics.
In Malaysia important guava growing areas are located in the states of Perak, Johore, Selangor and Negri Sembilan. Other states of lesser importance are Malacca, Kelantan, Trengganu, Perlis, Kedah, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak.

POPULAR CLONES

SOIL AND WEATHER REQUIREMENTS

The guava is a hardy plant which grows in most soil types. In Malaysia, guavas have been grown in the sandy tin tailing area and has adapted fairly with addition of organic matter. Loam and alluvial types of soil is most ideal.

Although the guava can tolerate low moisture condition, availability of water constantly will promote fast growth and leaf flushes. A warm, humid condition is most optimum for guavas.

PROPAGATION

Guava is easily grown from seeds but seedling trees are variable in fruit quality and take longer to fruit. Propogation is largely by vegetative means and the most satisfactory method is budding. In budgrafting the stock plants are first sown from seeds directly into individual polythene bags. After they have attained pencil size the stock plants are ready for grafting. The grafted seedling is ready for transplanting 2 - 3 months later.

The planting distance is usually 3m x 3m. Planting holes of 0.6m x 0.6m x 0.6m are dug and into each hole is incorporated organic manure and Christmas Island Rock Phosphate (CIRP). Shade is provided for the young plants immediately after planting and watering is done regularly during dry weather until the trees are well established.

FERTILIZER

For the first two years a composition of N:P:K in the ratio of 15:15:15 is recommended and from the third year onwards a composition of N:P:K:Mg in the ratio of 12:12:17:2+TE.

WEEDING

The trees are circle-weeded every three months during the first three years. This can be done manually, by motorised grass cutter or herbicide.

PRUNING AND TRAINING

Guava needs constant training and pruning to provide the desired tree shape for ease of management and for the health of the tree and to maximise fruit production. The tree is usually trained 3 to 4 months after field planting. The open heart, open center, or cup-shaped pruning and training system is the best.

PESTS AND DISEASES

A number of pests attack the guava such as the fruit fly, thrips, mealy bugs, scale insects, spider mites, aphids etc. Fruit flies are most important group of pests which attack guava. They are attracted to the maturing fruit where they deposit their eggs. The eggs hatch and develop within the fruit, causing a break down of the fruit tissue. Control measures are field hygiene, bagging, use of poisoned baits and appplication of insecticides such as lebaycid.

Fruit scabs affect immature fruits by causing a corky brown layer all over the fruits. This will cause the fruits to be unattractive and unmarketable.
Parasitic algae causes rust-like blemishes on the fruit surface. When the algae disappears, dark necrotic blemishes are left on the fruit surface.
Suitable fungicides and pruning will help to reduce these diseases.

HARVESTING

In Malaysia guava is available throughout the year although not always in the same quantities.

Budded guava fruit within a year of planting. From flowering the fruits take about three months to mature. Young fruits are bagged when about one and a half month old. This not only protects them from fruit fly attack but also improves their colour and protects them from abrasion during fruit development.
Guava fruits are harvested when they change colour from green to light green. This change in colour occurs 90 - 150 days after flowering, depending on the cultivar. The fruits are harvested manually, using pruning shears. Harvesting intervals should not exceed 3 - 4 days or otherwise losses from over- ripe fruits occur.

YIELD

The yield may start at 10 tonnes per hectare in the third year of production and increase to 30 tonnes per hectare after the tenth year.

USES

Fresh consumption Processed products: juice, jam, jelly and candy.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

PRODUCTION / EXPORT

In 1992, 74,250 tonnes of guava was produced but there was no export of the fruit during 1992.