Department of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Madras.
The morphology and biology of the three varieties of guava have been studied in detail. Two flowering seasons viz., September-October and January-March, were observed in all three varieties during the period of investigation. The various stages of opening of the flower were recorded and in general it took nearly 30 days for the tiny bud to develop and open into flower.
Flowers of all the three varieties opened in the morning hours. The pollen grains remained viable for four hours under natural conditions. The pollen tube growth, both on the stigma and in artificial media was studied. The stigma becomes receptive with in 2 or 3 hours after opening and remains so upto 48 hours after opening.
