Chemical regulation of tree size in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso. II. Effects of growth retardants on flowering and fruit set.
Kurian R. M., Iyer C. P. A.
Author Affiliation: Division of Fruit Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta, Bangalore 560?089, India.
Journal of Horticultural Science 68 : 355-360
Abstract : The effects of soil drenching with paclobutrazol (2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 g/tree) and foliar sprays of Cycocel [chlormequat] (4000 or 8000 mg/litre) or Alar [daminozide] (1500 or 3000 mg/litre) on 9-year-old mango trees were assessed for 2 successive years by comparison with untreated trees. Treatments were applied once or twice just prior to vegetative flushing. Early and profuse flowering were a striking response to paclobutrazol treatments. Cycocel and Alar slightly increased flowering in the first year and reduced flowering in the following year. Treatments variously resulted in condensed panicles, an enhanced proportion of hermaphrodite flowers and a reduction in pollen fertility. Fruit set was promoted by 2.5 g paclobutrazol/tree. Fruit retention was not promoted by any of the treatments, but the highest paclobutrazol rate had a detrimental effect on both fruit set and retention.