Physical and biochemical changes in guava ( Psidium Guajava L. ) during various stages of fruit growth and development

(Figure 2). The major increase in fruit growth could

3). Increase in TSS during ripening might be due to

be attributed to the increase in cell size whereas; slow

depolymerisation of polysaccharides and conversion

growth in between 60 to 90 days after fruit set was

of fruit starch to sugars. Data showed the significant

perhaps due to faster development of seed during

variation among genotypes for total soluble solids

this period that attributed to slow growth of the

(TSS) content. The results at 105 days of fruit set

pulp. Results of the present investigations are in close

revealed that the highest TSS content was present in

conformity with the findings of Dhillon et al. , (1987)

RCG-1 (9.83%) followed by RCG-3 (9.55%) showing

and Mercado-Silva et al. , (1998) they reported double

at par each other while, lowest content was exhibited

sigmoid growth curve in guava fruit. The analysis

by RCGH-4 (8.75%). However at 120 DAFS,

at 120 days revealed the significant superiority of

significantly highest TSS content was observed in

RCGH-4 (6.38 cm) for the traits over others. The

RCG-11 (11.08%) and RCGH-1 (10.76%) showing at

second best genotype that followed RCGH-4 in fruit

par each other and significantly superiors over other

diameter was RCGH-1 (6.11 cm). RCG-1 (5.15 cm)

genotypes followed by RCG-1 (10.29%), RCGH-7

revealed the lowest fruit diameter followed by at

(10.25%), Lucknow-49 (10.0%), Allahabad Safeda

par values of RCG-2 (5.19 cm). Analysis at 127 days

(9.95%) and RCGH-4 (9.92%) exhibiting at par values

also revealed the significant superiority of RCGH-4

within themselves. Significantly lowest content was

(7.01 cm) for the traits over others. RCG-1 (5.29 cm)

present in Sangam (9.22%) followed by Lalit (9.43%)

revealed the lowest fruit diameter followed by RCG-

and RCG-2 (9.62%) showing at par values. On 127

2 (5.34 cm) both were at par with each other.

days of fruit set, RCG-11 revealed the highest TSS

content (12.19%) and found significantly superior

Total Soluble Solids

over rest of the genotypes. The next best performers

A gradual increase in total soluble solids (TSS)

were RCGH-1 (10.91%) and RCGH-7 (10.55%)

was observed in all the genotypes throughout

exhibiting at par each other while, RCG-1 (10.34) and

development and ripening stage of the fruits (Figure

Lucknow-49 (10.30%) showing at par with RCGH-

Figure 2. Fruit growth pattern (diameter) of guava genotypes

79