Floral malformation, yield and fruit quality of Mangifera indica L. in relation to ethylene.
Zora Singh, Dhillon B. S.
Author Affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141?004, India.
Journal of Horticultural Science 65 : 215-220
Abstract : A 3-year study of malformation, using the cultivar Dusehri, revealed significantly higher levels of ethylene (46, 145, 67 and 34%) in malformed panicles than in healthy ones at development stages (I) fully swollen buds, (II) bud inception, (III) full grown panicles prior to full bloom, and (IV) full grown panicles at full bloom, respectively. Similarly, the shoots bearing malformed panicles showed significantly higher levels of ethylene (110, 90, 106 and 104%) than shoots bearing healthy panicles at the 4 respective developmental stages. Leaves borne on shoots bearing malformed panicles had significantly more ethylene (198, 10, 79 and 159%) than leaves on shoots bearing healthy panicles at all 4 stages. In a 2-year trial, exogenous sprays of ethephon at 400 p.p.m. at the bud inception stage were more successful in reducing floral malformation (8.9 and 10.2%) than ethephon sprays at 300 or 500 p.p.m. or water control sprays. Highest yields were obtained following application of ethehon (400 p.p.m.) at bud inception. This treatment also increased fruit weight, pulp:stone ratio and total sugars in the fruit.