Abscission and ethylene production in mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit cv. Tommy Atkins.
Nunez-Elisea R., Davenport T. L.
Author Affiliation: IFAS, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031, USA.
Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 96 : 185-188
Abstract : Rates of fruit drop were monitored in the field for 96 days from 1 April. More than 90% of total fruit drop occurred within the first 4 weeks and final fruit set was 0.61%. Percentages of fruited panicles remained constant for the first 3 weeks, decreased sharply to 40% by the 6th week and ended at 11.7% at harvest. Of the mature fruits 42% were seedless. Samples of seeded and seedless fruits collected during the high drop period showed different abscission patterns in the laboratory. All seeded fruits separated within 72 h after harvest, whereas 22% of the seedless fruits were still attached 95 h after harvest. Abscission of seeded fruits was accompanied by a rise in ethylene production, whereas parthenocarpic fruits abscised without any increase in ethylene concentration.