Floral induction in axillary buds of mango (Mangifera indica L.) as affected by temperature.
Zhu Z. H., Sheen T. F.
Author Affiliation: Fengshan Tropical Horticultural Experiment Station, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Scientia Horticulturae 31 : 81-87
Abstract : Three-year-old Haden trees were de-blossomed by pruning the stems 5 cm below the base of distal panicles and exposed to 3 temperature regimes (31/25, 25/19 and 19/13°C) in 8 treatments under a 12-h photoperiod. Axillary flower induction was greatest on trees subjected to the low-temperature treatment of 19/13° for 2 or more weeks. The subsequent temperature following 1-week exposure to 19/13° also influenced the number of axillary buds that developed. A negative relationship was noted as the number of axillary buds increased when the temperature decreased. The flowering percentages of plants treated at 19/13, 25/19 and 31/25° were 87, 60 and 0, respectively, when the temperature was held constant. It is suggested that the physiological conditions of the plants may also be a critical factor in the flowering induction sequence of mango.