Abstract
Seasonality in mango production is a major factor contributing to high postharvest losses reported in the value chain. Oversupply during the high season is one of the factors that contribute to the high postharvest losses (≥ 50%) in the supply chain in Kenya. Effective strategies to address seasonality can contribute significantly to postharvest loss reduction. Efficacy of two flower induction chemicals, potassium nitrate (KNO3) and ethephon on reproductive growth parameters and yield components were evaluated on two mango varieties: ‘Apple’ and ‘Ngowe’. KNO3 was applied at two concentrations (2 and 4%), and ethephon (600 and 1000 ppm) then compared to control (water). They were applied to trees which failed to flower/set fruit in 2014 season. There effect was established from reproductive growth parameters: days to flowering, number of panicles per tree, fruit set per 20 panicles, fruit fall and hormonal effect. KNO3 (4%) and ethephon increased percentage flowering in both ‘Ngowe’ and ‘Apple’ and AEZs (Agro-Ecological Zones), significantly (p < 0.05) shortened time to flowering and increased fruit set. The findings show that KNO3 and ethephon can be used to induce flowering/fruiting in mango fruits. These technologies can therefore be applied to induce off-season mango production to address seasonality and reduce postharvest losses during the peak season.
Highlights
Mango is a tropical perennial fruit crop that can flower and fruit all year round
The treatment effect was affected by the agro-ecological zones (AEZs) and variety
In Embu, ‘Apple’ fruits treated with 4% KNO3 and 1000 ppm of Ethephon attained 50% flowering 39 and 36 earlier compared to the untreated control
Summary
In most mango producing regions of Kenya, the trees fruit only once in a year with supply peaking between October and February. The farm price ranges from 2-5 US cents per piece. Most of the smallholder farmers lack appropriate post-harvest handling techniques, leading to significant losses, which affects their profits. These farmers do not have good storage facilities available at the farm level, and this forces them to sell their mango fruits immediately after harvest. Seasonal production of the mangoes is only enough to supply factories for seven months of the year. Some factories are forced to close or operate below capacities during the low mango season
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