Abstract: Complete removal of leaves, along with decapitation of shoots, promoted flower bud differentiation (FBD), while ringing with partial or complete defoliation along with decapitation of shoots did not promote FBD. Decapitation of leafy shoots also promoted FBD, increasing from 44 to 63% and 37 to 54% in Sardar and Allahabad Safeda, respectively. Defoliation of same age shoots (1-3 months old) at different times of the year influenced FBD. In many cases, defoliation did not promote flowering compared with controls. Principal component analysis revealed that the time of shoot emergence was the decisive factor for FBD in 1-, 2- and 3-month-old shoots. Defoliated shoots put forth terminal extension or axillary growth, while in undefoliated ones only terminal growth took place. There is a strong indication that in guava, leaves play a favourable role in flower bud formation.
