Research advance on the flowering mechanism of mango

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.), belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, is the most important fruit in tropical and subtropical regions. Good flowering and flowering at the right time is of great importance for mango fruit sets and yield. Flowering in mango is a complex process which involves many factors and varies greatly from year to year depending on climatic conditions. Based on literature and our study in recent years, the flowering mechanism of mango was discussed including cultivation management, external environmental factors, internal physiology and molecular mechanism. Low temperature, water stress, potassium nitrate (KNO3) and plant regulator ethephon and paclobutrazol (PBZ) can promote flowering. The tree age, leaf age and endogenous hormonal levels also affect mango flowering. Numerous studies have confirmed that the florigenic signal was synthesized in mango leaves and long-distance transported into the apex to induce mango flowering. Low temperature is the main factor controlling the flowering of mango under subtropical conditions, while the age of the last flush is the key factor for mango flowering in the low-latitude tropics. In this review, we provide a summary of recent discoveries of flowering physiology and molecular mechanisms in mango.