Floral biology and fruit set in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars: "Carabao", "Pico" and "Kancha Mitha".
Pimentel R. B., Coronel R. E., Espino R. R. C.
Author Affiliation: University of the Philippines at Los Baņos, Laguna 3720, Philippines.
Philippine Journal of Crop Science 9 : 47-51
Abstract : The floral structure and flowering habit of the 3 cultivars were similar but their fruits differed in size, form, shape and colour. Most flowers started opening at night and continued during the day. Maximum anthesis in Carabao was from midnight to 2.00 h, and from 2.00 h to 4.00 h for both Pico and Kancha Mitha. Anther dehiscence was maximum for both Carabao and Pico from 9.00 to 10.00 h, and from 10.00 to 11.00 h in Kancha Mitha. Stigma receptivity of the 3 cultivars started 18 h before anthesis and continued 72 h after anthesis, being optimum on the day of anthesis. The apical portion of the panicle had the highest percentage of perfect flowers compared with the middle and basal portions. Perfect flower percentages were 55, 48 and 18 for Carabao, Pico and Kancha Mitha, respectively. The long duration of flower opening in Carabao and Pico indicated that both exhibit a high degree of self-pollination. In contrast, Kancha Mitha, which has a short duration of flower opening, is cross-pollinated. The blooming period of the panicle in Carabao, Pico and Kancha Mitha lasted for 15, 14 and 11.4 days, respectively. Fruit set in open-pollinated flowers was markedly lower than in self-pollinated ones. Fruits of Carabao and Pico reached maturity in 120 days and of Kancha Mitha in 86 days from budbreak.