Effect of plant growth regulators on yield and quality of guava (Psidium guajava L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted during 2024 to evaluate the “Effect of Different Plant Growth Regulators on Yield and Quality Parameters of Guava (Psidium guajava L.)” at the Agricultural Research Farm of Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur (Rajasthan) on loamy sand soil. The experiment comprised eleven treatments including NAA, GA₃, benzyl adenine, CCC, triacontanol, and a control, laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed that application of plant growth regulators significantly influenced yield and fruit quality of guava. Among the treatments, GA₃ @ 150 ppm recorded the maximum number of fruits per tree, highest fresh fruit weight, and maximum fruit yield per tree, which was statistically superior to the control. Quality parameters such as total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, and total sugars were also significantly improved by GA₃ application, followed by NAA @ 200 ppm. Treatments involving CCC showed comparatively lower improvement in yield and quality. Overall, the study concluded that judicious application of plant growth regulators, particularly GA₃ @ 150 ppm and NAA @ 200 ppm, is effective in enhancing yield and improving fruit quality of guava under the given agro-climatic conditions.