Prayagraj: To revive the Sangam city’s famed guava belt, agricultural scientists have introduced three improved varieties to counter declining production caused by wilt disease, fruit fly infestation and adverse weather conditions.The new varieties — Red Diamond, Awadh Bhushan and Hisar Safeda — are being raised in nurseries at the Industrial Experiment and Training Centre in Khusro Bagh and will gradually be introduced in guava-growing areas of Prayagraj and Kaushambi.Known nationwide for its distinctive Apple Guava (Surkha) and Allahabadi Safeda, the Prayagraj guava belt has witnessed shrinking cultivation and declining exports in recent years as farmers grapple with falling yields and pest attacks.In-charge of the Khusro Bagh centre, Vijay Kishore Singh, said the new varieties are upgraded versions of the guavas traditionally cultivated in the region and have been developed to withstand climatic stress while offering better productivity.He said the Apple Guava variety has been adversely affected by changing weather patterns, resulting in fading colour and reduced production. The new varieties have been selected for their ability to tolerate high temperatures and maintain fruit quality.Among them, Red Diamond has deep red outer skin and red pulp, a higher sweetness level and fewer seeds. Awadh Bhushan, a derivative of the Lucknow Sardar (L-49) variety, has a tougher outer skin and nearly double the shelf life of local guavas, remaining fresh for five to seven days after harvest. Hisar Safeda is an improved version of Allahabadi Safeda with larger fruits and crisp pulp.According to agricultural scientists, all three varieties can sustain good production even at temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius, making them suitable for the region amid rising heat levels.Guava cultivation in Prayagraj division covers around 2,770 hectares with an annual production of about 44,000 tonnes.Surkha guava is cultivated on 335 hectares in Prayagraj and about 2,200 hectares in Kaushambi. Annual production stands at approximately 400 tonnes in Prayagraj and 35,000 tonnes in Kaushambi.
