Flowering malformation in relation to vegetative growth of 'Taimour' mangoes.
Shawky I., Zidan Z., El-Tomi A., Dahshan D.
Author Affiliation: Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Egyptian Journal of Horticulture 7 : 1-8
Abstract : Eighteen year-old trees of the mango cv. Taimour produced 3 successive growth flushes, in the spring, summer and early autumn. Summer shoots were the most abundant and produced the most inflorescences, which fruited in the following year. Panicles on the spring shoots were the most susceptible to flower malformation, followed in decreasing order by the summer and early autumn shoots. The main floral axes of the malformed panicles were shorter and thicker than those of normal ones. Shoots bearing malformed panicles were shorter and thicker than those bearing normal panicles. The malformed panicles showed a greater branching habit, a high ratio of male to perfect flowers, and very low pollen viability.ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:Trees produced 3 successive flushes in spring, summer and early autumn. Panicles on spring shoots were the most susceptible to flowering malformation. The main floral axes of malformed panicles were shorter but thicker than those of normal ones. Shoots bearing such panicles were shorter but wider than normal ones. Early symptoms were difficult to detect during early stages of panicle development but later became more pronounced. The affected panicles also exhibited a more branching habit, a high ratio of male to perfect flowers and extreme low viability of pollen which in turn prevented fruiting.