Abstract
Water scarcity in semi-arid regions limits sustainable guava production, requiring efficient resource management. This study (2023–2025) evaluated four mulching treatments—no mulch, straw mulch (SM), plastic mulch, and organic compost mulch—combined with three irrigation levels (100%, 75%, and 50% ETc). Key indicators included soil moisture, water use efficiency (WUE), yield, fruit quality, and economic returns. SM and OCM improved soil moisture (20–22%) and WUE (up to 5.8 kg/m³). Full irrigation with SM achieved the highest yield (16.5 t/ha), while moderate deficit irrigation (MDI) with SM balanced productivity (15.9 t/ha) and profitability (BCR 2.7). Severe deficit irrigation reduced yields by 35–40%. OCM + MDI enhanced fruit quality (TSS 14.2 °Brix). Overall, SM under MDI is recommended as a sustainable strategy for guava in water-limited environments.
