Relationship between branching frequency, and growth, cropping and structural strength of 2-year-old mango trees.
Oosthuyse S. A., Jacobs G.
Author Affiliation: Department of Horticulture, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Scientia Horticulturae 64 : 85-93
Abstract : The limited capacity of mango trees to branch during their initial years of development results in insufficient structural strength, slow growth, and poor cropping ability of young trees. To effect branching, vigorous terminal shoots on young Sensation and Kent mango trees were tipped (specific removal of the apical bud by pruning) after each flushing cycle. The number of shoots tipped on each occasion differed between trees. Two seasons after planting, positive linear equations were found to best describe the relationship between number of branching points in the canopy and number of terminal shoots, and the relationship between number of terminal shoots, and number of terminal shoots retaining fruits or number of fruits retained. A direct relationship existed between number of branching points, and branch weight or number of canopy leaves. Logarithmic or multiplicative equations were found to best describe the relationship between number of distally situated branching points and trunk or scaffold branch cross-sectional area. Frequent tipping eliminated the problems associated with poor branching.