In Andhra Pradesh Guava is cultivated in an area of 10451 Ha with an annual production of 10647 M. Tonnes. It is mostly grown in the districts of Ranga Reddy, Krishna, Ananthapur, West Godavari, Mahaboobnagar, East Godavary, Prakasham, Guntur etc.

SOILS

Almost all soils are suitable for guava cultivation. However deep loam soils with good drainage are highly suitable pH 4-5-8.

VARIETIES

Allahabad Safeda, Lucknow 49, Safed Jam, Arka, Mrudula.

PROPAGATION

Vegetative by ground layers.

PLANTING

Planting is done in June-July or October-November. The land is thoroughly ploughed. Pits of 60 * 60 * 60 cm size are dug in summer at a spacing of 6 to 7 mts. on either side. The pits are filled with a Mixture of tank slit, well rotten compost or FYM and top soil in equal proportion to which 1 Kg. of Super Phosphate is added at the commencement of monsoon Layers taken from good pedigree trees should be planted to obtain good crop.

MANURES AND FERTILIZERS

S.No	Age of the tree Yrs.	Nitrogen	Phosphorus(in gms) per plant	Potash
1.	1-3	50	25	75
2.	4-6	100	40	75
3.	7-10	200	80	150
4.	11 & above	300	120	150

INTER CULTIVATION

The root suckers should be removed frequently. The tree should be pruned and trained to good shape and with strong branches. Good crop can be obtained if the trees are given Bahar treatment (i.e) with holding of water for about a month and then irrigating the trees after the application of manures and fertilizers.7

TRAINING & PRUNING

Guava is a bushy type of tree. Lateral branches upto a height of 2-3 ft. from ground level should be pruned. 3-4 strong branches should be allowed to grow from the main trunk. Further 2-3 strong laterals should be allowed to develop from the main branches. The branches should be allowed to develop in such a way that sunlight should be able to penetrate to the center of the tree.

To encourage new shoots and maintain balanced framework light pruning can be done annually during April by pruning 20-30 cm. of past seasons shoots. All dead, diseased and criss - cross branches should be pruned off.

CROP REGULATION

Guava normally prodeces flowers and fruits twice in a year. Sometimes it flowers and fruit thrice in a year. Continuous bearing result in reduction of yield with small size fruits. Hence for commercial cultivation it is advisable to take only one crop in the main season (Mrig bahar crop) during which the quality of fruit is also good.

In order to get the crop of Mrig bahar it is necessary to regulate the flowering, by following one of the 3 methods.

1. By restricting Irrigation :
   
   Irrigations are with held from February to middle of May. This results in the shedding of leaves and the tree goes to rest. The basin of the tree are dugup, manured and irrigated in June. After about 20-25 days the tree putforth profuse flowering and fruit mature in winter.
   
2. By Exposing the roots :
   
   In heavy soils the upper soil around the truck is carefully removed (about 45-60 cm. radius) after the harvest of the crop so that the roots are exposed to sun resulting in shedding of leaves. The tree goes to rest. After about 3-4 weeks the roots are covered with soil. Manuring and Watering is followed. This results in profuse flowering and fruiting.
   
3. Deblossoming :
   
   Deblossoming is done by spraying NAA at 50 ppm. Deblossoming can also be done manually. By deblossoming or thinning the Amber Bahar flowers, the trees become work potential to produce profuse flowering and fruiting in Mrig Bahar (June- July).