No abstract

Canopy management and high-density plantations are directly linked to get higher yield and life of guava orchards. High-efficiency irrigation systems make it possible for dense plantations. A two consecutive-year pruning experiment (2021-22 and 2022-23) was conducted on the seven-year-old guava orchard under a drip irrigation system. It was hypothesized that if the size of the canopy and planting geometries impact yield then there must be significant results regarding fruit production and the quality of guava plants. Three prominent guava cultivars Large Surahi, Small Surahi, and Golden were planted with 5 planting geometries ultra-high dense (1 m x 2 m), high dense (1.5 m x 3 m), and dense (3 m x 3 m). Canopies of all the plants in the planting geometries were pruned to 4 feet, 5 feet, and 6 feet height. It was observed that the highest yield per acre was observed in Large Surahi with a planting geometry of 1 x 2 m, while the lowest was observed in Golden with a planting geometry of 1 m x 2 m. Large Surahi and Golden plants planted in ultra-high dense, high dense, and dense geometry expressed significantly higher yields. Plants under 1 m x 2 m could not gain proper size in all cultivars. So, 1 m x 2 m planting distance (accommodating 5000 plants per ha) expressed maximum yield with proper pruning. However, its fruit size was small and low quality. However, 1.5 m x 3 m expressed maximum good quality yield.

Canopy management and high-density plantations are directly linked to getting higher yields and life of guava orchards. High-efficiency irrigation systems are pivotal for dense plantations. A two consecutive-year pruning experiment (2021-22 and 2022-23) was conducted on the seven-year-old guava orchard under a drip irrigation system. It was hypothesized that if the size of the canopy and planting geometries impact yield, then guava plants must have significant results regarding fruit production, quality, and water productivity. Three prominent guava cultivars Large Surahi, Small Surahi, and Golden were planted with 5 planting geometries ultra-high dense (ULHDP) (1 m x 2 m), high dense (HDP) (1.5 m x 3 m), and dense (DP) (3 m x 3 m) plantations. Canopies of all the plants in the planting geometries were pruned to 1.22 m, 1.52 m, and 1.83 m height. It was observed that the highest yield per acre was observed in cv. Large Surahi with a planting geometry of ULHDP (1 m x 2 m), while the lowest was observed in cv. Golden in ULHDP (1 m x 2 m). cv. Large Surahi and cv. Golden plants planted in ultra-high dense, high dense, and dense geometry expressed significantly higher yields. Plants under ULHDP (1 m x 2 m) could not gain proper size in all cultivars. So, ULHDP (1 m x 2 m) planting distance (accommodating 5000 plants per ha) expressed maximum yield with proper pruning. However, its fruit size was small and low quality. However, HDP (1.5 m x 3 m) expressed maximum good quality yield.