GUAVA is grown in Sindh and Punjab. Being a tropical tree, it adapts to soil and climatic conditions. It is third after citrus and mango in terms of area and production.

The area increased from 55 to 64 thousand hectares during 1995-96 to 2001-02 and the production from 442 thousand tons to 539 thousand tons. Yield is low at 10-12 tons/ha thus widening the gap between potential and actual yield due to poor management and post-harvest losses.

Majority of growers do not follow the proper use of farm yard manure( FYM), inter-culturing, fertilizer application, sprays and irrigation. Post-harvest losses are about 20 to 40 per cent of the production and include improper handling, immature fruit harvesting, and inadequate transport and storage facilities.

The tree grows best with an annual rainfall below 40 inches in June to September. It can thrive on soil from alluvial to lateritic but is sensitive to water logging. Suitable soils are deep, friable and well drained. Its cultivation should not be extended in saline or alkaline soils.

Guava is generally propagated by seeds, root suckers, root-cutting, layering, and gootee. Propagation through budding is not very successful.

Planting is usually done in June-July and October-November. The land is thoroughly ploughed. Pits of 60 X 60 X 60cm are dug at a space of 6m to 7m. The pits are filled with a mixture of tank slit, well rotten compost or FYM and top soil in equal proportion to which one kilogram of super phosphate is added at the commencement of monsoon. Space between plants is generally 20-25ft.

Nutritional requirements keep plants healthy and productive. Soil fertility needs to be maintained. Manure is applied in a ring which is dug around the base of the tree - 30cm away from the main trunk at a depth of 8-10cm followed by irrigation.

Plant draws heavily on soil nutrients and removes a substantial amount, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus and potash from the soil. In guava, fruits are borne on current season’s growth. Manure and fertilizer encourage growth. A balanced supply of NPK increases the yield. The NPK at a ratio of 2:1:1 in two equally split doses one in January and other in August are recommended according to plant’s age and soil conditions. It sometimes suffers from zinc and iron deficiency. Spraying the tree with 7gm per litre of ZnSo4 and 46.5gm FeSo4 improves yield and quality. There is a little use of fertilizer in guava orchards.

Guava is a bushy tree therefore pruning is done regularly. During early years pruning is done to let the tree attain an open centre for a reduced height and strong productive branches. Mature shoots are pruned to reduce excessive vegetative growth. Three to four branches from the main trunk are allowed to develop in such a way that sunlight reaches the centre of the tree.

Water management is important but little scientific information is available. Immediately after planting young samplings need irrigation with an interval of 2-3 days and grown up trees with an interval of 10 days.

The plant population is not systematic or regular. Growers, who erected their orchard about 15 years ago, planted 67 trees/acre in Sindh and 65 in Punjab. Growers have now realized the importance of space and have decreased the number of trees to about 55 in Sindh and 52 in Punjab.

The variable costs consist of land management practices including ploughing, planking and levelling, crop inputs, the FYM, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, irrigation and the cost of labour for interculturing and pruning. The variable costs vary from farm to farm and from one producer to another, because some producers use hired labour and others engage permanent.

Harvesting at the right stage of maturity is necessary to achieve a long shelf life and improved quality. The fruit when turned from greenish to yellow is picked. Individual hand picking is suggested to avoid damage. Harvesting by shaking the tree is discouraged as the ripe fruit is delicate to handle.

Handling starts from picking to packing. Immediate handling gives a longer period for marketing and retailing. Grading starts before packing. Three grades; Special, A, and B are made. Un-graded fruits do not achieve high price. The fruits are packed in layers in crates and paddy straws are placed in between each layer. Each layer is packed alternately placing the beak of one guava in between the shoulders of two.

Truck loads of guava go to inter-regional wholesale markets by road. Rail transport is not reliable while air movement is used for export. Loss during transport is minimal.

Lack of market information limits the growers to make timely decisions. Harvesting and marketing should be guided through information. The traditional channel of information is personal contact with the commission agents in the wholesale markets.

Guava production is a complex process and a function of several variables. Knowledge of resource inputs for grower is essential for desirable changes in operation at micro level, and for policy makers to formulate plans for improvement. Production practices such as planting material, space, soil type and irrigation have considerable impact on yield.

Major production inputs such as pesticide sprays, fertilizer, FYM and use of labour for management practices are under utilized, affecting guava production. Guava producers lack knowledge in the use of inputs such as sprays and fertilizer. Proper dose of chemical fertilizer and timeliness use of chemical sprays are essential to achieve better production. Some social factors also play important role in guava production.