Thinnig out of fruits cv. Rica in Juazeiro, BA, Brazil

Abstract

A study was made on guava (Psidium guajava L.) at Juazeiro, BA, Brazil, using the Rica cultivar, to determine the ideal number of fruits per plant in order to assure best fruit quality for in natura consumption. A randomized complete block design with five treatments (plants with 200, 300, 400 and 500 fruits and a control with no fruit thinning, five replicates and three plants per plot) was used. The following parameters were studied: yield per plant (kg), yield (t/ha) and mean weight of fruits (g). The highest yield (76.5 kg/ha) was obtained when the plant yielded 500 fruits/harvest. A statistical significant difference regarding mean weight of fruits was observed in fruits classified as "first grade" (above 120 g). The highest yield per unit area was found when the plant yielded 500 fruits/harvest.