The secretory ducts of mango fruits: a defense system effective against the Mediterranean fruit fly.
Joel D. M.
Author Affiliation: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Israel Journal of Botany 27 : 44-45
Abstract : A 3-dimensional reconstruction of the duct system of mango fruit exocarp showed a network of ducts, branching and anastomosing in all directions. The duct contents were irritant. Only mango cvs with poorly developed duct systems are attacked by Ceratitis capitata, and it is suggested that the duct system has a defensive function. In studies on 18 cvs, including 3 susceptible to attack, the mean number of ducts crossed by a random line in a transverse section of the exocarp was found to be larger than 1 in the resistant varieties, and smaller than 1 in the susceptible varieties. This fact can be used as a simple criterion to distinguish between resistant and non-resistant fruits.