ISHS Acta Horticulturae 291: III International Mango Symposium
MANGO FLOWERING - STILL AN ENIGMA! |
| Author: | E.K. Chacko |
| Abstract:
Despite the discovery of the presence of a leaf-generated, graft-transmissible 'floral stimulus' almost half a century ago, further advances in our understanding of the internal factors controlling flower bud initiation in mango trees have been surprisingly limited. A number of diverse chemicals which have growth regulating properties in plants have been tested for promoting/inhibiting flower production in mango in different countries, but their effects have been limited to certain cultivars and geographical locations. Plant stress induced by low temperature or drought and branch/trunk girdling is known to check vegetative growth and promote flowering in mango trees. Such treatments also affect stomatal conductance and gas exchange capacity of the leaves. The significance of this to flowering however, is presently unknown. Experimental evidence indicates that maturity of terminal shoots and accumulation of carbohydrate in the shoot apex are in some way associated with the synthesis of the floral stimulus, the absence of which can result in lack of flowering or biennial bearing in many mango cultivars. Further research is required to unravel the relationship between carbohydrate levels, shoot maturity and the synthesis and nature of the floral stimulus in mango leaves. | |
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