INITIAL PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OF GUAVA FRUITS IN IRRIGATED AND DRY ENVIRONMENT IN THE CENTRAL WEST REGION, SAO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract

The fruits of guava (Psidium guajava L.) are highly appreciated not only for aroma and flavor, but also for nutritional value, being a rich source of vitamin C. They are consumed in natura and also very used in agroindustry. The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of guava genotypes in irrigated and non - irrigated environments, about the initial production and fruit quality. The planting was carried out in february 2016, at 2.0 x 4.5 m spacing, with seedlings formed by cuttings, coming from commercial nursery. The plants were conducted in the espalier system, with regular prunings for fruiting. It was used a complete block randomized design with 6 treatments in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, with 3 varieties and 2 production environments (irrigated and non-irrigated). The evaluated genotypes were Tailandesa, Pedro Sato e Século XXI. Productive variables (yield per plant and fruit mass) and qualitative variables (pH and total soluble solids content) were analyzed in the first two crop cycles. The yield and mass of the fruits of the evaluated genotypes were not affected by the additional irrigation of the plants. The irrigation decreased the acidity and the total soluble solids content of the fruits. The 'Tailandesa' guava tree was the one that presented the best productive performance for cultivation in the region of Vera Cruz, SP.