Boron fertilization and its relation to the production of seedless fruit in mango 'Ataulfo'.
Hernández-Maruri J. A., Castillo-González A. M., Pérez-Barraza M. H., Avitia-García E., Trejo-Téllez L. I., Osuna-García J. A., García-Mateos R.
Author Affiliation: Campo Experimental San Luis-INIFAP, Carretera San Luis-Matehuala, km 14.5, Soledad de Graciano Sánchez, San Luis Potosí, C.P. 78430, Mexico.
Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agrícolas 6 : 1757-1768
Abstract : Mexico is the fourth largest producer of mango (Mangifera indica L.) in the world. The Ataulfo cultivar has commercial importance because of its larger shelf life compared to other cultivars; but it has the disadvantage of producing seedless fruits that have no value for export. In order to determine whether the application of boron to soil can reduce the formation of seedless fruit and, improve the nutritional status of the tree, soil applications of boron were made (Solubor) 25, 50 and 100 g of B per tree, after three months after harvest in an orchard eight years old in Tepic, Nayarit. The percentage of seedless fruit, the nutrient concentration in leaves, inflorescences and fruits were evaluated. The nutritional analysis foliar before application of said treatments trees presented nitrogen deficiency. Doses of 50 and 100 g of B decreased by 45 and 35%, respectively, the number of seedless fruit and improved concentration of Ca and B on the plant, and that of B in shoots with inflorescences and leaves at the end of fruit development. The inflorescences concentrated N, P, K and Mg. Ca and B were concentrated in the leaves. The seeds accumulated more N, P, K, Ca and Mg than the pulp with epidermis. The fruit with seeds outscored the seedless in the concentration of N, P and Mg, while the latter concentrated more Ca.