The Taming of Psidium guajava: Natural and Cultural History of a Neotropical Fruit

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava L., Myrtaceae) is a Neotropical fruit that is widely consumed around the world. However, its evolutionary history and domestication process are unknown. Here we examine available ecological, taxonomic, genetic, archeological, and historical evidence about guava. Guava needs full sunlight, warm temperatures, and well-distributed rainfall throughout the year to grow, but tolerates drought. Zoochory and anthropochory are the main forms of dispersal. Guava’s phylogenetic relationships with other species of the genus Psidium are unclear. A group of six species that share several morphological characteristics are tentatively accepted as the Psidium guajava complex. DNA analyses are limited to the characterization of crop genetic diversity within localities and do not account for possible evolutionary and domestication scenarios. A significant amount of archeological information exists, with a greater number and older records in South America than in Mesoamerica, where there are also numerous historical records. From this information, we propose that: (1) the guava ancestor may have originated during the Middle or Late Miocene, and the savannas and semi-deciduous forests of South America formed during the Late Pleistocene would have been the most appropriate ecosystems for its growth, (2) the megafauna were important dispersers for guava, (3) dispersal by humans during the Holocene expanded guava’s geographic range, including to the southwestern Amazonian lowlands, (4) where its domestication may have started, and (5) with the European conquest of the Neotropics, accompanied by their domestic animals, new contact routes between previously remote guava populations were established. These proposals could direct future research on the evolutionary and domestication process of guava.

Development of single nucleotide polymorphism markers and genetic diversity in guava (Psidium guajava L.)

“…• Knowledge about germplasm origins and genetic relatedness, in conjunction with reliable molecular resources and better agronomic practices, is necessary to support breeding efforts and facilitate broader adoption of orphan crops such as guava, which have increasingly important roles in light of climate change adversities and in diversifying diets and food systems. and South America (Arévalo-Marín et al, 2021). Its evolutionary and domestication history is poorly understood, and several hypotheses regarding guava's origin are still under debate (Aranguren et al, 2008;Arévalo-Marín et al, 2021;Hastorf, 2006;Landrum, 2021;Nakasone & Paull, 1998;Pearsall, 2008;Risterucci et al, 2005).…”

“…Guava ( Psidium guajava L., Myrtaceae; 2n = 2x = 22) is a fruit crop species native to tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico, Central and South America (Arévalo‐Marín et al, 2021). Its evolutionary and domestication history is poorly understood, and several hypotheses regarding guava's origin are still under debate (Aranguren et al, 2008; Arévalo‐Marín et al, 2021; Hastorf, 2006; Landrum, 2021; Nakasone & Paull, 1998; Pearsall, 2008; Risterucci et al, 2005).…”

“…Guava ( Psidium guajava L., Myrtaceae; 2n = 2x = 22) is a fruit crop species native to tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico, Central and South America (Arévalo‐Marín et al, 2021). Its evolutionary and domestication history is poorly understood, and several hypotheses regarding guava's origin are still under debate (Aranguren et al, 2008; Arévalo‐Marín et al, 2021; Hastorf, 2006; Landrum, 2021; Nakasone & Paull, 1998; Pearsall, 2008; Risterucci et al, 2005). Important guava producers in the world include Mexico, Brazil, China, Egypt, and India, with more than 2 million tons per year (Altendorf, 2018).…”

“…Psidium guava is part of the P. guajava complex, together with P. guineense (closest relative to P. guajava ; Salywon, 2003), Psidium guyanense , Psidium nutans , Psidium rostratum , and Psidium rutidocarpum . Based on recent archeological and species richness evidence, it is believed that guava ancestor originated in the savannas and semi‐deciduous forests of South America during the Miocene followed by a geographic expansion during the Holocene by humans and local megafauna (Arévalo‐Marín et al, 2021; Clement, 1989; Iriarte et al, 2020; Landrum, 2017; Neves & Heckenberger, 2019; Piperno, 2011).…”

Structure of a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest in the National Forest of Ipanema, Brazil: Contributing to the Floristic Knowledge of a Poorly Studied Protected Area

“…Two of the species we sampled have been considered exotic: Psidium guajava and Aralia excelsa. However, considering phylogenetic, fossil, archaeological and cultural data, it is most probable that P. guajava originated in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) and/or Humid Chaco [31] . Psidium guajava is a shade-tolerant species with a wide geographic range in different soil types [32] and considered an invader in many regions [33,34] .…”