Studies on crossing behaviour and hybridization in guava

Interpretation:The commercial guava cultivars though having high yield potential, lack the traits of commerce.In other words, development of high yielding guava variety having coloured skin and flesh, with low seed content/soft seeds and better shelf life is need of an hour.The present study on hybridization was undertaken using commercial varieties like Allahabad Safeda, Shweta and the varieties with potential traits likeArka Kiran, Purple guava and Lalit.Among different crosses, the maximum fruit length (51.25 mm), fruit width (48.70 mm) and fruit weight (71.84 g) were recorded in Allahabad Safeda x Shweta.The lowest number of seeds per fruit (171), minimum seed weight per fruit (1.070 g), seed hardness (13.86 Kg cm ) and highest total soluble solids (7.45 Brix) were recorded in Allahabad Safeda x Arka Kiran, whereas, the Allahabad Safeda x Purple guava fruits had significantly higher vitamin C (180.14 mg per 100 g fruit) content.To conclude, the optimum time of crossing involving potential guava germplasm has been standardized.Sufficient number of hybrids as a result of different cross combinations have been obtained, which are likely to have potential traits.