Influence of defoliation and deblossoming on the vegetative and reproductive growth of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. 'Gola'

The study was undertaken to determine the influence of defoliation and deblossoming on the vegetative and reproductive growth of guava (psidium guajava l.) cv. 'gola' tree. twenty guava trees of uniform size and age with five treatments replicated four times were selected for the experiment. defoliation and deblossoming was done manually at different levels [0% defoliation + 0% deblossoming,100% defoliation + 100% deblossoming,50% defoliation + 50% deblossoming,0% defoliation + 50% deblossoming,and 0% defoliation + 100% deblossoming] by using pruning scissor in the last week of april. the data regarding number of leaves,leaf drop percentage and fruit growth was taken at 15 days interval during the whole study period,while leaf age was recorded at the end of the experiment. fruit yield was determined at harvest separately for summer as well as winter crop. defoliation and deblossoming significantly affected the number of leaves and leaf drop percentage. maximum numbers of leaves were recorded in the trees subjected to 100% defoliation + 100% deblossoming. minimum leaf drop was observed in the trees subjected to 50% defoliation + 50% deblossoming. leaf age was found to be significantly higher in trees treated with 0% defoliation + 50% deblossoming level in contrast to other treatments. fruit set % was significantly higher in the control trees during summer crop. the interactions for fruit length,diameter and size between different levels of defoliation and deblossoming,and fruit growing period were significantly higher during summer crop than winter crop. trees subjected to 0% defoliation + 50% deblossoming exhibited higher fruit length,diameter and size than other treatments. in conclusion,defoliation and deblossoming had a significant impact on the vegetative and reproductive growth of guava cv. 'gola'. the results suggested that the defoliation has negative impact on the reproductive growth of guava and deblossoming can be used effectively without defoliation to encourage the winter crop.