GUAVA - WHAT IS IT

What is Guava Fruit
The scientific name of guava fruit is Psidium Guajava from family Mytaceae. In Malaysia, guava called Jambu Batu (batu means as 'Stone'). Total area planted with guava in Malaysia about 1,225 hectare with annual production estimated 20.200 metric tones.  although it is native to Mexico, guava are grown in many tropical countries as commercial fruits. Due to demand, guavas now cultivated at tropical and subtropical area. The fruit shaped is round or ovary depend to species with long from 3 to 14cm. The leathery skin usually change from green to yellow when ripe. Guava fruit generally have a pronounced and typical fragrance,. Guava flesh may sweet or sour. The flesh colour from white to deep pink with depend on species.  How many of us know how to manage guava trees and able to produce quality guava fruits?.

Varieties of Guava Fruit
Below is some of varieties in Malaysia (Please click here for further related articles):
The most popular guava variety grown in Malaysia are GU8 (Kampuchea variety) followed by GU16 (Lo Han or Giant Variety). See above photo for Lo Han variety.
GU4, GU5, GU7, Jambu Biji, Laknaw, Hongkong pink, Red Malaysian, Taiwan and Vietnamese. The guava rind differ from pink to red. Guava species GU4, GU5, GU7, Jambu biji and Hongkong pink where diameter from 4.8 cm to 6.7 cm and thinner rind from 0.5-1.5cm is smaller and thinner then guava Vietnamese , its rind diameter from 10 to 11cm and thickness from 1.9 cm to 2.5 cm. There are two peak season for fruit harvesting which is January to March and October to December. The guava fruits grown huge at state Perak, Johor, Selangor and Pahang.

 How to grow Guava?
The guava thrives in both humid and dry climates tropical regions. The tree are evergreen with as height a 33ft. It had white colour fragrant flower. The tree is mocarp and bloom thought the year in rich soils with high in organic. The planting distance between 10-12 feet in the rows on the bed. The sprinkler was used at initial stage of planting with low impact sprinkler head. From my observation on the branching system seems that the Clone Giant Guava had lateral Branching System compared to other Clones like GU 8 which the branching system partially erected and lateral. The flowering system better due to its capability of producing flower without pruning as in other clones. Two flowers appear in 1-2 feet distance on the vigorous branching system . Both farmers only pruned for initial stage for Formation Pruning . The growth rate of this new variety claimed to be slower than GU 8 Clone so that the pruning activity less comparatively. The tree maintain at 5-6 feet height at balance canopy. The 2 years old tree able to produce 40-50 fruit per tree after selected only 2-4 fruit per branch.

Manuring activity was done according to the advise of the founder in Batu Pahat by applying Imported Yara Miles Fertilizer (Expensive ) and claimed it was the best to ensure they will get Giant Size Guava. Organic fertilizer applied every 2 months at 2-4 kg per tree due to the lack of organic matter in clayey ex paddy farm soil. Foliar fertilizer applied regularly to ensure the guava tree vigorous and more flower formation and produce quality fruits. Liming was practiced every 4-6 months. Weeding by manual and chemical in early stage of planting but after two years the do not apply any weedicide. The most common problem in guava farm is Fruit Fly attack (Bactocera spp) and both farmers using Methyl Eugenol control attractant in early stage about 5-6 unit with farm per hectare located at the farm border. Mr Chan does not apply the pheromone trap nowadays due to his claim it attract more fruit fly to his farms. They both used a group of dog to deal with human trespassing and get rid of monkeys or wild boar (if any).

Why Guava Fruit Benefits to Body
The health benefits of guava include treatment of dysentery, weight loss, diarrhea diabetic, skin care, high blood pressure and eye care. Please read detail Health benefits of Guava Fruit to Body .Below shown the nutrition in guava fruit of nutritional Value per 100gm that contains Energy 48 kcal
Protein 10 gm, Fat 1.1 gm, Fiber 0.2 gm, Calcium 37.0 gm
Phosphorus 33gm, Iron 1.2gm, Sodium 48.9 gm, Vitamin A 60 mg, Vitamin B1 0.1 mg, Vitamin B2 0.05 mg, Acid Ascorbic  and Vitamin C 1.1 mg. Guava are best eaten Fresh!. Bye.

EAT GUAVA...KEEPS HEALTHY...
GROW GUAVA....ALWAYS HAPPY....
BUY GUAVA ..NOT COSTLY...
READ GUANA...KEEPS HUNGRY....

By,
M Anem,
Senior Agronomist,
Guava Commercial Farm,
Bukit Rambai, Melaka,
Malaysia
(January 2014)