ISHS Acta Horticulturae 509: VI International Symposium on Mango
EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON FLOWERING AND YIELD OF ‘KENSINGTON PRIDE’ MANGO (MANGIFERA INDICA L) |
| Authors: | I.S.E. Bally, M. Harris, A.W. Whiley |
| Keywords: | mango, deficit irrigation, stomatal conductance |
| Abstract:
It is generally agreed that a period of quiescence reinforced by low winter temperatures (mean ≤ 16°C) is a prerequisite for floral induction in mango. In tropical climates, mean daily temperatures seldom fall below 16°C. This paper reports on the effect of water stress imposed after summer growth, on flowering and yield of mango in the dry-tropic of Australia. Three irrigation treatments were imposed on 15-year-old ‘Kensington’ mango trees: 1) irrigation throughout the year, 2) irrigation withheld from maturation of the first vegetative flush following harvest until 90% of buds were anatomically floral, and 3) irrigation withheld from maturation of the first vegetative flush following harvest until 70% of inflorescences had emerged. Withholding irrigation significantly increased the number of terminals that flowered by 20.5%. Tree yields were increased by 17% through withholding irrigation in two of three years. | |
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