The Stem Age Required for Floral Induction of Synchronized Mango Trees in the Tropics

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

The quantitative floral inductive role of the age of the last vegetative flush was investigated in replicated trials of two cultivars of mango (Mangifera indica L.), Keitt and Tommy Atkins, growing in tropical conditions of Cundinamarca State in Colombia. Empirical observations have indicated that stems must be in rest for sufficient time, generally 4 to 5 months, to be induced to flower in the absence of cool temperatures. Twelve trees per cultivar were tip-pruned to stimulate a synchronous flush of vegetative growth at the beginning of the experiments. The first of four sets, each consisting of three replicate trees among the 12, were sprayed with 4% potassium nitrate on a 2-week schedule beginning 2 months after the pruning date. Biweekly sprays continued in this first set until a growth response was observed, whereupon the set was retired from further observations, and the second set of three synchronized trees began receiving biweekly spray treatments until they initiated a growth flush. The schedule continued through the four successive sets of trees until the age of stems necessary to induce a flowering response was determined. Treatment applications were quantified using a one-m-square quadrate to determine the numbers of resting stems and vegetative and /or reproductive shoots contained within. KNO3 sprays applied 3 months after the pruning date stimulated initiation of vegetatively induced shoots in both ‘Keitt’ and ‘Tommy Atkins’ trees. Synchronous generative shoot initiation in ‘Keitt’ trees occurred in ≈75% and 100% of the stems after KNO3 sprays applied 5 and 6 months after the pruning date, respectively. Tommy Atkins, a cultivar that is more difficult to induce to flower than ‘Keitt’, had 18% of shoots flowering after the 5-month application and 100% flowering after the KNO3 application 6 months after the pruning date. None of the non-treated orchard trees flowered during this time. Stem age was the key factor correlated with flowering. The experimental trees, which were naturally habituated to experience two flowering periods per year, each within separate sections of tree canopy, were stimulated to produce one annual synchronized flowering event throughout the tree canopy as a result of the treatments.