Requirement for mature leaves during floral induction and floral transition in developing shoots of mango.
Nunez-Elisea R., Davenport T. L.
Author Affiliation: Tropical Research and Education Center, Florida University, IFAS, Homestead, FL 33031, USA.
: 33-37
Abstract : Studies were made of the growth responses of deblossomed branches of the mango cultivar Keitt to defoliation and/or girdling. Apical panicles on branches comprising up to 20 individual stems were removed to stimulate axillary bud growth. Defoliated, girdled branches produced only vegetative shoots whereas leafy, girdled branches produced panicles. Delaying defoliation of girdled branches increased flowering. Non-girdled defoliated branches produced a high proportion (65%) of transition shoots that were initiated as vegetative shoots and gradually converted to terminal inflorescences.