Quality Guava Production For Export

Abstract

 

Guava (Psidium guajava L.; family Myrtaceae) is one of the most important fruit crops grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions of India. Earlier guava was mostly exported to Gulf countries and its export was highest in the year 2015-16 i.e., 1913.73 MT but decreased to 1229.75 MT in 2017-18 because of luxurious use of chemical fertilizers. Extreme use of chemical fertilizers creates many problems with soil productivity, enhances erosion & nutrient losses, surface and groundwater pollution. There is an option for high production of export-quality fruits by optimizing use of fertilizers which is an alternate agriculture system known as integrated nutrient management (INM). INM implies the maintenance or adjustment of soil fertility and nutrient supply at an optimum level for sustaining guava productivity through possible sources of nutrients in an integrated manner.

 

Key words: INM, Guava, Nutrient, Vermicompost and Biofertilizer

 

Introduction

 

Since the beginning of the 17^th century, guava crops being grown in India. It has increased in popularity amongst fruit growers due to its greater adaptation in a variety of soils and agro-climatic areas, low cost of growing, prolific bearing, and being extremely lucrative with fruit nutritional properties. In addition, nutrients are crucial for crop yield. In past decades’ guava was exported to many countries, its export was highest in the year 2015-16 i.e., 1913.73 MT but now a day’s export has been decreased to 1229.75 MT in 2017-18 (APEDA, 2021; Figure 1) because of luxurious use of chemical fertilizers. Moreover, its production and productivity are increasing but its export is affected by the use of chemical fertilizers (Figure 2 and 3). The reason is, importing countries have their own importing policies and want chemical-free fruits for their people’s health. Hence to boost export, good agricultural practices (GAP) are a must and to achieve standard quality fruits for export, care about the use of optimum level of fertilizer is a must.

 

Optimum use of manure and fertilizers has a positive impact on the productivity of commercial guava cultivation in various agro-climatic regions. 

 

 

What is Integrated Nutrient Management?

 

The basic concept of integrated nutrient management (INM) is the adjustment of plant nutrient supply to an optimum level for sustaining the desired crop productivity. It involves a proper combination of chemical fertilizers, organic manure and biofertilizers suitable to the system of land use and ecological social and economic conditions.

 

 

Figure 3: Increase in production of guava (NHB, 2021)

 

In this the INM system behind a massive and clear objective to manage and sustain agricultural productivity and improve the farmer’s profitability through the judicious and efficient use of all sources of nutrients viz., chemical fertilizers, organic manures, green manures, and compost including vermicompost, crop residues and bio-fertilizers. 

 

However, this does not mean adding everything is considered practical and an efficient blend of diverse nutrient sources is required amounts which can produce optimum yields and maintain soil fertility and soil health on a sustainable basis. The INM system helps to restore and sustain crop productivity and also assists in checking emerging micronutrient deficiencies (Figure 4). Further, it brings economy and efficiency to the use of fertilizers.

 

Figure 4: Plant growth on optimum dose of nutrient supply

The major components of INM which could be used as replacements for chemical fertilizers are discussed below:

 

1.  Vermicompost

 

Vermicomposting is an eco-friendly natural fertilizer prepared from biodegradable organic wastes and free from chemical inputs. It is rich in beneficial microflora such as N fixers, P- solubilizers, cellulose decomposing micro-flora etc. It contains earthworm cocoons which increases the population and activity of earthworm in the soil and also contains valuable vitamins, enzymes and hormones like auxin, gibberellins etc. that enhances the decomposition of organic matter in the soil, soil structure, texture, aeration, and water-holding capacity and prevents soil erosion. It also improves the nutrient status of soil both macro-nutrients and micronutrients, the water retention capacity of soil because of its high organic matter content and promotes better root growth and nutrient absorption. Vermicompost has very high porosity, aeration, drainage and water-holding capacity. 

 

The nutrient profile of Vermicompost: N 1.6 %, P 0.7 %, K 0.8 %, Ca 0.5 %, Mg 0.2 %, Fe 175.0 ppm, Mn 96.5 ppm, Zn 24.5 ppm, Cu 5.0 ppm, C: N ratio 15.5.

 

2. Bio-fertilizers

 

Bio-fertilizers are a substance which contains living microorganisms, which when applied to soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. Biofertilizers add nutrients through the natural processes of Nitrogen fixation, solubilizing phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth-promoting substances. As it is a living thing, it can symbiotically associate with plant roots. Involved microorganisms could readily and safely convert complex organic material into simple compounds so that plants can easily take them up. It increases crop yield by 20-30% and replaces chemical nitrogen and phosphorus by 25% in addition to stimulating plant growth. Biofertilizers are able to fix 20–200 kg N/ha/year, solubilize P in the range of 30–50 kg P₂O₅ ha/year and mobilize P, Zn, Fe, Mo to a varying extent and help to build up the lost microflora and play important role in increasing crop productivity. Examples: Azospirillium, Phosphate Solubilized Bacteria PSB (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Aspergillus and Penicillium), Rhizobium, Allorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Blue Green Algae and Frankia, Azotobacter, Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae, PGPRs etc.

 

Fertilization in Guava

 

In guava, FYM 50 Kg and one Kg in each of N, P and K per tree in two split doses during March and October should be applied. To increase the yield, spray Urea 1 % + Zinc sulphate 0.5% twice a year during March and October. To correct the boron deficiency (reduction in size of leaves and fruit cracking and hardening) spray 0.3% borax during flowering and fruit set stage. Micronutrients spray for controlling bronzing of leaves. A combined spray should be given containing ZnSO₄, MgSO₄ and MnSo₄ @ 0.5% and CuSO₄ and FeSO₄ @ 0.25 % + Teepol @ 1 ml per 5 lit of solution on various stages viz., new flush, one month after, flowering and fruit set stages. 

 

 

Conclusion

 

INM could be adapted for better growth and development of fruit crops with GAP guidelines to produce export-quality fruits. The optimum use of fertilizers can improve our earnings, enhance export and can save our environment in this climate change era with reducing the risk of pollution hazards.