G. Singh et al., EFFECT OF SOIL-MOISTURE STRESS ON WATER RELATION BY PLANT AND CROPPING BEHAVIOR IN GUAVA (PSIDIUM-GUAJAVA), Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 67(7), 1997, pp. 303-306
Effect of soil-moisture stress on relative water content, proline accu
mulation in leaf, fruiting behaviour and fruit quality was studied in
'Allahabad Safeda' and 'Sardar: guava (Psidium guajava L.): Stress was
exerted on trees by withholding water from January to June, and the n
on-stressed control trees were watered at an interval of 10-15 days, d
epending on the evaporation. The abscission of flowers was noticed whe
n relative water content reached 60.20% in 'Allahabad Safeda' and 53.4
0% in 'Sardar' guava. A trend was also noticed in the quantity of leaf
proline according to the degree of water stress. The metabolic activi
ty in the plants was maintained better even at low RWC in 'Sardar' tha
n 'Allahabad Safeda'. 'Sardar' appeared more tolerant than 'Allahabad
Safeda'. Water-deficient trees had significantly lower yield during ra
iny season in both the varieties. However, 'Allahabad Safeda' responde
d more to soil moisture stress for regulation of flower to harvest and
better fruit yield during winter season than 'Sardar'. In 'Sardar' in
addition to soil-moisture stress a chemical that can inhibit the grow
th may also be essential to regulate cropping.