Effect of trunk girdling on the number of fruit retained by bearing Haden mango trees.
Oosthuyse S. A.
Author Affiliation: Merensky Technological Services, PO Box 14, Duivelskloof 0835, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 11 : 55-56
Abstract : The trunks of 4-year-old mango trees, cv. Haden, on Sabre rootstocks, were ringed at monthly intervals from mid-Apr. (4 months before panicle emergence) until the fourth week of Oct. (2 months after panicle emergence). After the period of fruit drop the fruit numbers retained were increased by ringing before or at the time of panicle emergence, but ringing after panicle emergence had no significant effect. Lateral shoots developed below the rings 3-6 weeks after ringing. An alternative to the conventional method of topworking is suggested, in which primary scaffold branches are ringed and the desired scion cultivar is grafted onto the lateral shoots that subsequently develop below the rings.