ISHS Acta Horticulturae 773: XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Citrus and Other Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Crops
SUSTAINABLE GUAVA PRODUCTION IN WEST BENGAL, INDIA |
| Authors: | S.K. Mitra, M.R. Gurung, P.K. Pathak |
| Keywords: | cultivar, propagation, nutrition, crop regulation |
| Abstract:
Guava is the third most important fruit crop of West Bengal state after mango and banana. It is cultivated in an area of about 14 thousand ha with average productivity of 15.2 tons per ha. The main guava growing areas in West Bengal are 24-Pargana (South), Nadia, Midnapur, Burdwan and Hooghly. Many named cultivars are available in the Research Stations and University, however, growers prefer ‘Allahabad Safeda’, ‘Khaja’ (Bengal Safeda), ‘Kafri’, ‘Teli’, ‘Bhagalpur’ and ‘Baruipur’. ‘Khaja’ (Bengal Safeda) is the most preferred cultivar because of high yield, superior in quality, attractive shape and size of fruit and respond to flower regulation treatment by bending of shoots. The usual practice is to accommodate 275 plants per ha. In the first year after planting, several intercrops in the rainy season (amorophophallus, colocasia, brinjal, coriander leaf) and in winter season (cabbage, pumpkin, bitter gourd) are grown which earns about Rs. 150-200 thousand per ha (US$ 3500-4500). From third year onwards a net profit of about Rs. 250 thousand per ha (US$ 5500) is very common from guava orchards in this region. Most of the growers prefer winter season crop and regulate flowering by bending of shoots in the month of August-September. Critical leaf nutrient standards, integrated nutrient and weed manage¬ment protocol have been standardized. Winter fruits are usually wrapped individually with polyethylene bags to protect from fruit fly infestation and attractive color development. | |
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