Effect of defoliation, decapitation and deblossoming on fruit bud differentiation in guava (Psidium guajava L.)

Abstract

Complete removal of leaves, along with decapitation of shoot was found to be very effective in relation to flower bud differentiation (FBD), while ringing with partial or complete defoliation along with decapitation of shoots was not able to promote FBD. Decapitation of shoots in the presence of leaves formed flower buds with the extent of 44 to 63% and 37.0 to 54.0% in Sardar and Allahabad Safeda, respectively. February, March and April; July, August and September; October, November and December shoots defoliated in May, October and January formed flower buds two months later than the control shoots. Principal component analysis revealed that the time of shoot emergence was the decisive factor for FBD in 1, 2 and 3 months old shoots. The defoliated shoots put forth terminal extension or axillary growth, while in undefoliated ones only terminal growth took place. There is a strong indication that in guava, leaves play favourable role in flower bud formation.