Influence of pollen on physicochemical characteristics of selected guava (Psidium guajava L.) genotypes

An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of pollen on physicochemical characteristics including fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, the number of seeds/fruit, seed weight, total soluble solids, acidity, reducing sugar, total sugar and vitamin C of selected guava (Psidium guajava L.) genotypes at UBKV, under the Terai zone of West Bengal. Three types of crosses viz., restricted crossing, restricted selfing and open pollination were made by utilizing one Red Fleshed genotype as pollen donor plant and five white fleshed genotypes as fruit giving plant. Among the five guava genotypes L-49 recorded the best results in all type of cross and Doodh Khaja showed a very poor effect on crossing. Under Self pollination L-49 and Baruipur showed the best results and Pant Prabhat showed a poor result due to effect of pollen. Fruits obtained from restricted cross pollination were the best for fruit quality parameters namely TSS, Vitamin C and Total sugars. Hence it was inferred that planting of Red Fleshed genotype as polliniser in a mixed guava orchard may be utilized as a strategy for the improvement of horticultural traits in guava.