Nutrient levels in malformed and healthy tissues of mango (Mangifera indica L.).
Zora Singh, Dhillon B. S., Arora C. L.
Author Affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141?004, India.
Plant and Soil 133 : 9-15
Abstract : Samples of malformed and healthy panicles of mango (cv. Dusheri) as well as leaves and shoots bearing them were collected at different stages of development (fully swollen buds, bud inception, fully grown panicles prior to full bloom and at full bloom) over 2 consecutive years and were analysed for macro- and micronutrients. In addition, malformed and healthy seedlings were collected and analysed. Malformed panicles were found to be significantly higher in N at all the developmental stages except bud inception. P and K also tended to accumulate in malformed panicles at later stages of their development. In general, malformed panicles exhibited lower levels of P, K and Ca than healthy panicles. The differences in levels of Mg and S in malformed and healthy panicles were not significant. All micronutrients were in much lower concentrations in malformed panicles except for Mn which appeared to accumulate in malformed panicles particularly at the early stages of development. The leaves on the shoots bearing malformed panicles also showed a tendency to accumulate N, while P, Mg and S were always higher in leaves on shoots bearing healthy panicles. The leaves on shoots bearing healthy panicles had lower levels of Fe, Cu and Mn, whereas levels of Zn and B tended to be higher in leaves on shoots bearing malformed panicles. The nutrient concentration differences between the two kinds of shoot were generally nonsignificant; however, K and S were significantly lower in shoots bearing malformed panicles. The shoots bearing malformed panicles showed significantly higher levels of almost all nutrients compared with shoots bearing healthy panicles. Vegetative malformation of seedlings was associated significantly with higher amounts of all nutrients except Ca which was significantly higher in healthy seedlings. These data suggest that Ca deficiency may be one of the pre-disposing factors causing malformation in mango.