Effect of drip irrigation and polyethylene mulching on fruit yield and quality of guava cv. Allahabad Safeda under meadow orcharding

A field experiment was conducted during 2009–2012 with an objective of improving yield and quality of guava under drip irrigation and polyethylene mulching in ultra high density planting (2.0 m × 1.0 m). The experiment plot of guava (four-year-old) was irrigated with a drip irrigation system having two emitters per plant of two LPH capacity based on four irrigation levels (40, 60, 80 and 100%) of pan evaporation (PE) replenishment and one ring basin irrigation method (control). UV stabilized black polyethylene mulching (100 μ thickness) was done during October-November (2009). Higher fruit number (27.3), fruit weight (107.3 g) and fruit yield (16.92 kg m⁻³) were recorded by application of irrigation at 80% PE (T3) per day per plant coupled with black polyethylene mulching. Maximum water saving (47.52%) was recorded through drip irrigation and polyethylene mulching as compared to control (unmulched basin irrigation). Fruit yield varied from a maximum value of 16.92 kg m⁻³ canopy volume in drip irrigation 80% PE level with black polyethylene mulching as compared to minimum in control (8.21 kg m⁻³). Drip irrigation coupled with polyethylene mulching resulted in better quality of fruits in terms of increased TSS (12.1°Brix), total sugars (6.61%), ascorbic acid (169.2 mg 100 g⁻¹) and reduced acidity (0.27%) as compared to the minimum TSS (10.1°Brix), total sugars (6.12%), ascorbic acid (159.6 mg/100 g) and increased acidity (0.34%) in control.