ISHS Acta Horticulturae 632: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Citrus and Other Subtropical and Tropical Fruit Crops: Issues, Advances and Opportunities
FLOWER BUD INDUCTION, FLOWERING AND FRUIT-SET OF SOME TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUIT TREE CROPS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CITRUS |
| Authors: | L. Gene Albrigo, V. Galán Saúco |
| Keywords: | Temperature stress, water stress, avocado, mango, litchi, longan |
| Abstract:
Yields of fruit tree crops are determined primarily by flowering intensity and subsequent fruit set from those flowers. The processes related to flowering and fruit set are discussed in this mini-review particularly for tropical-subtropical behavior of citrus with some references to subtropical avocado and more tropical mango, litchi, and longan fruit crops. The flower bud induction process is followed by differentiation and flower expansion preceding anthesis. The subsequent fruit set process usually involves 2 major drop periods, one at bloom and another some weeks later when crop load is reduced as excess fruitlets are shed. Climatic conditions (cool temperatures or water stress), bud age and tree vigor are usually associated with the flower bud induction process, whereas climatic stress and internal limitations from lack of pollination, adverse hormonal levels or competition for carbohydrate and/or nutrients may lead to unsuccessful fruit-set (physiological drop). Current knowledge of these processes is discussed. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
