THINNING OUT OF FRUITS CV RICA IN JUAZEIR O, BA, BRAZIL

A study was made on guava (Psidium guajava L.) at Juazeiro, BA, Brazil , using the Rica cultivar, to determine the ideal number of fruits per plant in order to assure best fruit quality for in natura consumption . A randomized complete block design with five treatments (plants with 200, 300, 400 and 500 fruits and a control with no fruit thinning, fi ve replicates and three plants per plot) was used. The following param eters were studied: yield per plant (kg), yield (t/ha) and mean weight of fruits (g). The highest yield (76.5 kg/ha) was obtained when the p lant yielded 500 fruits/harvest. A statistical significant difference regarding mean weight of fruits was observed in fruits classified as ' 'first grade'' (above 120 g). The highest yield per unit area was foun d when the plant yielded 500 fruits/harvest.