EFFECT OF SOIL-MOISTURE STRESS ON WATER RELATION BY PLANT AND CROPPING BEHAVIOR IN GUAVA (PSIDIUM-GUAJAVA)

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.