Accumulation of reserve substances in Mangifera indica L. during flower initiation.
Chacko E. K., Ananthanarayanan T. V.
Author Affiliation: Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore-560 080, India.
Zeitschrift fur Pflanzenphysiologie 106 : 281-285
Abstract : Bark analyses made at the time of flower initiation showed considerably greater accumulation and metabolism of carbohydrates (particularly sucrose), proteins and amino acids and an almost 4-fold enhancement in the specific activities of amylase and protease in mature (10-year-old) mango trees as compared with juvenile (3-year-old) non-flowering trees. These differences may be explained as follows: in juvenile trees vegetative growth flushes are more frequent, alternating with root growth, so that the current photosynthates and other metabolites are used for growth rather than for storage. In mature trees, however, surplus photosynthates are accumulated in storage organs, such as the bark and roots, for subsequent redistribution and use at flower initiation. Data are tabulated.