Pruning to Improve Flowering and Fruiting of ‘Crystal’ Guava

Abstract

Pruning is one of the techniques to improve plant growth and production. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of pruning on vegetative and generative growth, and fruit quality of 'Crystal' guava. The experiment was conducted from September 2016 to April 2017 at Cikabayan Research Station of Bogor Agricultural University, Dramaga, Bogor, Indonesia (-6.550780, 106.714531). The experiment used completely randomized design with six replications. There were three treatments i.e. a) pruning by leaving 4 pairs of leaves, b) pruning by leaving 8 pairs of leaves, and c) control (without pruning). Pruning was applied after shoot leaves grew fully. The result showed that pruning significantly increased the total number of shoots and generative shoots. Pruned plants produced more flower and fruit than un-pruned ones. Pruning by leaving 4 pairs of leaves tended to produce higher number of flower and fruit than those by leaving 8 pairs of leaves. Fruit weight and internal fruit quality were not affected by pruning. CONCLUSIONPruning had significant effect to the increase of total number of shoots and generative shoots. Pruned plants produced more flower and fruit than un-pruned ones. Pruning by leaving 4 pairs of leaves tended to have higher number of flower and fruit than by leaving 8 pairs of leaves. Fruit weight and its quality were not affected by pruning.

The diversity of ‘kristal’ guava (Psidium guajava) fruit quality in response to different altitudes and cultural practices

“…The Indonesian population prefers the latter fruits for they are sweeter and more tasteful compared to the former fruits which are highly acidic. As shown by previous studies, the content of TSS and TA were not significantly influenced by pre-harvest treatment such as pruning (Susanto et al 2019;Lakpathi et al 2013). On the other hand, the level of fruit maturity predominantly influenced these two variables.…”

“…The chemical quality of the guava fruit could be assessed based on total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acid (TA) of the fruit juice (Susanto et al 2019). The highest TSS was found in low altitude fruit with intensive cultural practices; however, it was not significantly different compared to the fruit from moderate altitude with or without intensive culture.…”

“…A study by Basu et al (2007) showed that unpruned trees produced fewer shoots, lower crop production, and subsequently lower fruit weights than fruit from pruned trees. The best pruning technique for 'kristal' guava plants was previously reported by Susanto et al (2019) who recommended leaving only four pairs of leaves. This pruning practice led to better performance of the guava plants than leaving eight pairs of leaves and without pruning.…”

“…This pruning practice led to better performance of the guava plants than leaving eight pairs of leaves and without pruning. Pruning by leaving four pairs of leaves produced 102.3 flowers, pruning by leaving eight pairs of leaves produced 86.6 flowers, while without pruning produced 52.2 flowers (Susanto et al 2019). Besides, pruning removed the diseased leaves, dead leaves and branches, water sprouts, and overlaying leaves inside the tight canopy (Gilman and Black 2011).…”

“…'Kristal' guava fruit is highly preferred to other Indonesian fruits due to its delicious crunchy taste, seedless and nutritious content, i.e., rich in antioxidants, natural fiber, and vitamin C (Jiménez-Escrig et al 2001;Susanto et al 2019;Guntarti and Hutami 2019). These properties give 'kristal' guava high potential to substitute the imported subtropical fruits, such as, pears and apples.…”