EFFECTS OF THE LEAF: FRUIT RATIO ON GROWTH AND PARTITIONING OF WATER AND DRY MATTER IN MANGO FRUIT

Abstract

Effects of the leaf: fruit ratio on water and dry matter accumulation in mango peel, pulp and stone were analysed. Measurements were performed on girdled branches (10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 leaves per fruit). Results showed a strong positive effect of the leaf: fruit ratio on fruit growth and on water and dry matter partitioning between the three components. The strongest accumulation was observed in the fruits from the 100 and 150 leaves per fruit treatments. A unique relationship between water and dry matter accumulation in each component was observed irrespective of the treatment. Thus, the corresponding equation for the pulp and dry mass measurements of whole fruit allow describing the evolution of the pulp dry matter content for the different treatments. (Resume d'auteur)