Association of Agrometeorologists

Physico-chemical properties of guava fruits as influenced by solar radiation penetration in plants canopies

J. S. BRAR, SOM PAL SINGH and J. S. BAL

The study was conducted to observe the solar radiation distribution in different parts of 7- year’s old guava plants and its subsequent effect on fruit quality. The interception of solar radiation decreased markedly with the depth of plant canopy from top to bottom as well as with increase in plant density. More than 3/4th of incoming radiations were found to be intercepted by upper one meter periphery of guava plants irrespective of plant spacing. The fruit quality in terms of size, weight, TSS, vitamin C and overall palatability reduced significantly with the depth of plant canopy and decrease in plant spacing. The upper canopy fruits particularly of widely spaced plants were better than others. Winter season fruits were double in weight and more palatable as compared to rainy season fruits.

Guava, fruit size, solar radiations, quality