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.