Allahabad Safeda

Fruit Appearance: This is the most famous white-fleshed variety. The fruits are typically medium to large in size, round or oval in shape.

Skin: The skin is thin, smooth, and yellowish-white when ripe.

Flesh: The pulp is creamy white, soft, juicy, and very sweet with a pleasant aroma. It has fewer seeds compared to some other varieties, and the seeds present are relatively soft.

Tree Characteristics: The trees are medium in height (around 5.8-6.5 meters), vigorous, with spreading branches and dense foliage, forming a dome-shaped crown. They are prolific bearers.

Keeping Quality: It has good keeping quality, making it suitable for transport and market.

Uses: Primarily consumed fresh as a table fruit due to its excellent taste and texture. It's also suitable for processing into jams, jellies, and preserves.

Cultivation: Widely cultivated across India due to its high yield and adaptability to various soil types.

Propagation: Vegetative methods like air layering (stooling) and budding/grafting are preferred to ensure true-to-type plants with consistent quality.

Planting:

Time: Best planted during the monsoon season (August-September) or February-March.

Spacing: Standard spacing is often 6m x 6m (approximately 112 plants per acre). High-density planting (e.g., 5m x 5m or even closer with pruning) is also being adopted for higher initial yields.

Pits: Dig 1m x 1m x 1m pits and fill them with topsoil, compost/FYM, and basal fertilizers.

Pruning & Training: Essential for shaping the tree, promoting new fruiting wood (guava fruits on current season's growth), and managing canopy density. Regular removal of dead, diseased, or crossing branches.

• Watering: Water the young plants regularly, especially during the first year. Mature trees require less frequent watering but still need consistent moisture.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer (NPK ratio of 8:4:12) quarterly to encourage healthy growth and fruit production.Mulching: Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree to conserve moisture and control weeds.

• Pruning: Remove dead, diseased, or damaged fronds to maintain tree health and appearance. Prune fruit stalks once the fruits have been harvested to encourage new growth.
• Pest Control: Inspect the tree regularly for pests like mealybugs, scale insects, and mites. Apply appropriate insecticides or biological control methods as needed.
• Disease Prevention: Monitor the tree for signs of fungal or bacterial infections. Implement proper sanitation and cultural practices to minimize the risk of disease.