Guava (Psidium guajava L.): An Exotic Tree Fruit with Potential in the Southeastern United States

Abstract

The 1990 census of the United States revealed a substantial increase in the ethnic diversity of the American population. Federal dietary guidelines recommend that American consumers double their intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. For quite some time, the ethnic diversity of the population and the associated food patterns have been exposing Americans to a panorama of exotic produce from overseas as well as from selected domestic sources (Greene, 1992). The specialty produce industry in the United States is hardly more than 30 years old, but the niche market for these fresh food items is the fastest growing segment of the produce industry (Vietmyer, 1984). Over the last decade, the consumption of produce has increased steadily, whereas the demand for exotic specialties grew exponentially. Consumer awareness of the nutritional value and health benefits of exotics and adventurism to try fascinating and unusual produce and other edibles raise the demand for exotic fruits, vegetables, and other horticultural commodities (Ritchy, 1978). Displays of exotic horticultural specialties are now becoming a mainstay in supermarkets, with specialty themes ranging from the islands of Asia, Latin America, and the tropics, among others. Shipments of tropical produce and goods rose from 2000 t in 1980 to 70,000 t in 1990, and to 680,000 t in 1991, while more than 1,000,000 t of specialty crops were shipped during 1992 and after (Greene, 1992). Americans not only are more health-conscious but also demand more diverse and ethnically flavored foods. With population shifts, changes in diet, and the persistent fascination of Americans with novelty items, the demand for specialty fruits and vegetables likely will continue to rise through the 1990s and beyond. Domestic production to satisfy ethnic demands for exotic or nontraditional horticultural commodities necessitates developing the technologies to grow these crops locally. To accomplish this objective, there is a definite need for systematic horticultural research to generate the required information for cultivation and management of these crops. Ongoing small-or large-scale research projects at several institutions indicate ample enthusiasm among the horticultural community. These trends demonstrate that an overview of current research efforts on these commodities is appropriate at this time. This workshop precisely served that purpose through a structured open forum for researchers in various

Freezing Tolerance and Cold Acclimation in Guava (Psidium guajava L.)

“…Guava (Psidium guajava L.), which belongs to the Myrtaceae family, is a small evergreen tree (Morton, 1987a;Yadava, 1996). Guava can tolerate a wide range of frost-free environments and flourishes in both humid and dry climates at elevations between sea level and 2100 m (Yadava, 1996).…”

“…Guava (Psidium guajava L.), which belongs to the Myrtaceae family, is a small evergreen tree (Morton, 1987a;Yadava, 1996). Guava can tolerate a wide range of frost-free environments and flourishes in both humid and dry climates at elevations between sea level and 2100 m (Yadava, 1996). It exceeds most of the tropical and subtropical fruit trees in adaptability as a result of its chilling, drought, and salinity tolerance and can produce fruits continuously throughout the year in climates suitable for production (Yadava, 1996).…”

“…In recent years, the American market demand for exotic fruits, like guava, has been increasing, mainly because of increased immigration from Asia, Latin America, and other warm-climate countries (Yadava, 1996). With a long harvest period, guava can be a potential alternative, high-value cash crop in the United States (Yadava, 1996).…”

“…In recent years, the American market demand for exotic fruits, like guava, has been increasing, mainly because of increased immigration from Asia, Latin America, and other warm-climate countries (Yadava, 1996). With a long harvest period, guava can be a potential alternative, high-value cash crop in the United States (Yadava, 1996). Guava plants are cultivated in many countries, including India, Brazil, South Africa, Venezuela, Cuba, the Philippines, and New Zealand (Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service, 1999); however, the majority of guava cultivation in the United States is limited only to a few favorable locations in California, Florida, and Hawaii (Yadava, 1996).…”

“…With a long harvest period, guava can be a potential alternative, high-value cash crop in the United States (Yadava, 1996). Guava plants are cultivated in many countries, including India, Brazil, South Africa, Venezuela, Cuba, the Philippines, and New Zealand (Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service, 1999); however, the majority of guava cultivation in the United States is limited only to a few favorable locations in California, Florida, and Hawaii (Yadava, 1996). The major limitation with expanding guava cultivation to further north in the United States is its low cold tolerance (Yadava, 1996).…”