Studies on the Foliar Application of Nutrients and Plant Growth Regulators in Sardar Guava (Psid1Um Guajava L.) I-Effect on Yield and Fruit Quality

The fruits of maximum size were obtained with the application of urea + ZnSO4 + ethrel + NAA. However, the spraying of borax or K2SO4 proved equally effective. The fruit weight was maximum with borax treatment. The fruit yield was highest with the application of borax + ethrel + NAA. However, the spraying of urea or borax proved equally effective in this respect. The highest cost: benefit ratio of 1: 43.46 was obtained with the spraying of borax followed by 1: 42.06 with urea application. The TSS and sugars in fruits were highest under K2SO4 treatment. However, application of urea or borax proved equally effective. The maximum reduction in the acidity content of fruits was found under urea + ethrel treatment. It was followed by borax application. The plants treated with borax produced the fruits with maximum ascorbic acid content. The pectin content of fruits was not affected by treatments. It may be concluded that the application of borax (0.2 per cent) or urea (2 per cent) proved to be of practical importance because of their beneficial effects on yield and physico-chemical character of fruits with higher cost: benefit ratio.