Crop regulation in guava through fertilizer grade urea

Different concentrations of fertilizer grade urea were applied foliarly on whole tree of guava cv. Allahabad Safeda (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) at 50 per cent bloom stage (30th April). Second stage was repeated after 10 days i.e. 10th May. The pattern of abscission varied considerably with different concentrations. Leaf and flowers abscission occurred after two days of urea spray. The effect was apparent after 5 days of spray where most of the foliage showed marginal burn and the flowers either dropped or dried. Maximum abscission occurred during 10 to 15 days of applied urea concentrations. Urea at 20 per cent increased the rate of abscission of leaves and flowers i.e. 96.12 and 100 per cent within 15 days of spray. Similarly, urea at 15% induced abscission by 81.27 and 92.31% of leaves and flowers. The application of 15 and 20 per cent urea virtually eliminated rainy season fruit yield. However, trees received 5% of urea had produced 30.13 kg/tree fruit during rainy season. Among different concentrations of urea sprays, significant enhancement in fruit yield was recorded over the control (Untreated trees). The maximum increased in yield of 81.54 Kg/tree was recorded with 10 percent urea during winter season closely followed by 15, 5 and 20 percent. The control trees had only 21/Kg/tree during winter season. Overall, the maximum fruit yield was recorded with 10 percent urea spray during winter season followed by 15 percent of urea concentration.