ISHS Acta Horticulturae 455: V International Mango Symposium
WHAT EFFECT DOES THE TIMING OF TREE AND FRUIT MANIPULATION HAVE ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF ‘SENSATION’ MANGOES? |
| Authors: | J. Fivaz, P.J.C. Stassen |
| Keywords: | tree training systems, fruit thinning |
| Abstract:
The yield of late mango cultivars, such as ‘Sensation’, is adversely effected in cooler regions by post harvest pruning. In addition ‘Sensation’ has a problem attaining a fruit size adequate for export. The purpose of the study was to establish the correct pruning time when bearer shoots will be able to harden off sufficiently to provide fruit for the forthcoming season. This pruning operation combined with a degree of fruit thinning must ensure that sufficient yield of marketable fruit to the full potential of the tree, is achieved. At the same time about 50% of the bearer shoots must be cut back in order for them to allow for vegetative regrowth that will harden off sufficiently to bear the following season's crop. In this way a constant annual harvest of the correct size fruit should be obtained. In this paper the yield and fruit size achieved with three pruning treatments (post harvest, October and November - Southern Hemisphere) are compared with unpruned controls. Results recorded in the second season showed that pruning in October gave significantly better yields compared to other treatments. Fruit size for the October pruned trees was significantly larger than the other treatments in the first season and significantly larger than the controls in the second year. | |
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