Effect of Planting Density on Growth Parameters and Fruit Yield in Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda Cultivated under Mild Humid Conditions of Coorg

A study was carried out in 'Allahabad Safeda' guava (Psidium guajava L.) to standardize the effect of planting densities on growth parameters viz., scion girth, plant height, and spread (East - West and North - South), canopy area, canopy volume and fruit yield over a ten years period. The trial was laid out with five planting densities viz., 6x3, 6x4, 6x6, 8x4, 8x3m accommodating 555, 416, 277, 312 and 416 plants/ha respectively with four replications having sixteen plants per treatment in a randomized block design during 1988-89 season. The grafted plants on seedling ischolar_mainstock were planted and the yield data were recorded from 1992 to 1997. The results indicated that the scion girth was significantly higher in 8x3 or 8x4m configurations. There were no significant differences among treatments for plant height. The plant spread across East-West direction was however significant in 8x3m. The fruit yield in Mrig bahar was significantly higher as compared to that of Hasth bahar in terms of fruit number and weight. Land Use Index (LUI) values exceeding 50% had bearing on the productivity of different configurations. The productivity was nearly double in 6x3m where, the planting density was twice as much in recommended spacing (6x6m) by sixth year of planting after which, yield levels declined. Thus, it was concluded that a spacing of 6x3m having 555 plants/ha, gives the highest productivity in 'Allahabad Safeda' guava by sixth year of planting under North Coorg conditions.