Guava Pests and Diseases: Identification and Effective Management

Guava Pests and Diseases: Identification and Effective Management

Guava (Psidium guajava) is a highly nutritious fruit crop grown across India and widely consumed for its taste and health benefits. However, guava production faces serious threats from various pests and diseases that affect yield, fruit quality, and farmers’ income. Early identification and proper management practices are essential to protect guava orchards and ensure profitable cultivation.

Major Pests of Guava

1. Fruit Fly (Bactrocera spp.)

Damage: Maggots feed inside fruits, causing rotting, premature fruit drop, and reduced market value.

Symptoms: Brown patches, oozing of gummy substance, fruits turning soft and decaying.

Management:

  • Collect and destroy infested fruits.
  • Use methyl eugenol traps or pheromone traps to attract and kill adult flies.
  • Spray recommended insecticides at fruiting stage.

2. Mealybugs (Maconellicoccus hirsutus)

Damage: Suck sap from tender shoots, leaves, and fruits, causing yellowing, curling, and fruit drop.

Symptoms: Cotton-like masses on plant parts, sticky honeydew secretion, and sooty mold growth.

Management:

  • Prune and burn infested twigs.
  • Release natural predators like Cryptolaemus montrouzieri.
  • Spray systemic insecticides for severe infestation.

3. Thrips

Damage: Suck sap from young leaves and flowers, leading to curling, scarring, and poor fruit set.

Management:

  • Maintain orchard hygiene.
  • Spray neem oil or recommended contact insecticides.

4. Scale Insects

Damage: Attach to stems, leaves, and fruits, sucking plant sap and weakening trees.

Symptoms: Yellowing leaves, reduced vigor, sooty mold on honeydew.

Management:

  • Scrub off infested branches.
  • Use horticultural oils or systemic insecticides.

Major Diseases of Guava

1. Wilt (Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.)

Damage: Most destructive disease leading to tree mortality.

Symptoms: Yellowing and drooping of leaves, drying of branches, roots rotting, and eventual death of the tree.

Management:

  • Avoid waterlogging.
  • Apply Trichoderma and Pseudomonas bio-agents in the soil.
  • Use resistant varieties and maintain proper orchard sanitation.

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2. Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides)

Damage: Affects fruits, flowers, and leaves, reducing quality and yield.

Symptoms: Dark sunken spots on fruits, flower blight, and premature fruit drop.

Management:

  • Prune diseased twigs and destroy infected plant parts.
  • Spray protective fungicides during flowering and fruiting stages.

3. Algal Leaf Spot (Cephaleuros virescens)

Symptoms: Circular, reddish-brown, velvety spots on leaves and fruits.

Management:

  • Improve air circulation through pruning.
  • Spray copper-based fungicides.

4. Guava Decline / Dieback

Symptoms: Drying of twigs from tip backwards, fruit drop, and gradual decline of the tree.

Management:

  • Regular pruning of affected branches.
  • Soil application of bio-fungicides and balanced fertilizer use.

Integrated Pest & Disease Management (IPDM) Tips

✅ Maintain orchard sanitation – remove diseased fruits and prune infested branches.
✅ Use pheromone and sticky traps for monitoring and reducing pest populations.
✅ Apply biological control agents like Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, and predatory insects.
✅ Avoid excess irrigation and ensure proper drainage to prevent wilt.
✅ Rotate sprays of insecticides and fungicides to prevent resistance.

Conclusion

Effective management of guava pests and diseases is essential for achieving higher yields and better fruit quality. By integrating cultural, biological, and chemical practices, farmers can protect their orchards and increase profitability. Agri-input solutions like bio-fungicides, insect traps, and crop protection products play a key role in sustainable guava production.

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