Effects of pruning on flowering, yield and fruit quality in mango (Mangifera indica)

Abstract

The effects of 7 pruning treatments were studied in 2 mango cultivars (‘Keitt’ and ‘Tommy Atkins’) in the Hoedspruit region of the Northern Province of South Africa. Trees that received panicle pruning (during full bloom) treatment at the point of attachment were observed to be induced for synchronised re-flowering, and also attained early fruit set and more fruit per panicle than the other panicle pruning treatments. Trees on which renewal pruning (early in the season when fruits were on the tree) as well as postharvest pruning treatments were applied, have been observed for development of adequate number of productive inflorescences per season in an early-maturing cultivar, Tommy Atkins. Postharvest pruning treatments also resulted in significant increase of postharvest vegetative growth in both cultivars. Promising improvement in yield could be expected after the second season from panicle pruning in Tommy Atkins. The fruit quality, especially with regard to total soluble solids (TSS), was also greatly improved due to the applications of renewal and postharvest pruning treatments. Inflorescence removal together with apical whorl of leaves subtending the inflorescence had adverse effects for the various parameters studied in both cultivars.