Effect of Foliar Application of Micronutrients and Plant Growth Regulators on Quality of Guava (Psidium Guajava L.) Cv. Lalit

AbstractLalit guava known for its distinct sweetness and vibrant red color is a favored variety among growers for its exceptional flavor and nutritional qualities. A field experiment was carried out during the year 2020–2021 on seven-year-old red guava trees at a farmer’s orchard located in Semmangalam, Anathur, in the Villupuram district. The study aimed to identify the most suitable treatment for improving fruit quality in guava. The trial followed a Randomized Block Design with ten treatment combinations of T1 (Control), T2 (Boric acid@ 0.4% + GA3 @ 150 ppm), T3 (Chelated Zinc @ 0.5% + GA3 @ 150 ppm %), T4 (Boric acid @ 0.4% + Chelated Zinc @ 0.5% + GA3 @ 150 ppm), T5 (Boric acid @ 0.4% + NAA @ 100 ppm), T6 (Chelated Zinc @ 0.5% + NAA @ 100 ppm), T7 (Boric acid @ 0.4% + Chelated Zinc @ 0.5% + NAA @ 100 ppm), T8 (Boric acid @ 0.4% + SA@ 100 ppm) and T9 (Chelated Zinc @ 0.5% + SA@ 100 ppm), T10 (Boric acid@ 0.4% + Chelated Zinc @ 0.5% + SA@ 100 ppm).each replicated three times. For optimal quality parameters such as total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars, TSS/acid and minimal acidity, T4 (Boric acid @ 0.4% + Chelated zinc @ 0.5% + GA3 @ 150 ppm) exhibited superior results compared to the control. In contrast, T7 (Boric acid @ 0.4% + Chelated Zinc @ 0.5% + NAA @ 100 ppm) was found to be most effective in enhancing the ascorbic acid and pectin content when compared to the untreated control.