Seasonal effects on floral biology and fruit set of mangoes in a warm temperate region of Western Australia.
Issarakraisila M., Considine J. A., Turner D. W.
Author Affiliation: Horticultural Science Programme, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
: 626-635
Abstract : The reproductive biology of cv. Kensington Pride was studied at Gin Gin (latitude 31° 20?S.), an area considered to be marginal for mango production. Flowering starts in early spring (Sep.) and continues throughout Nov. at Gin Gin. The ovaries, styles and anthers of early flowers were found to be much smaller than those of the later ones. The sex ratio did not change with time but the number of aborted ovules was higher in the early part of the season and this correlated with the reduced style length in these flowers. Pollen viability was very low initially at 6%, rising to 60-80% as flowering progressed. Fruit set and its timing varied from year to year according to climatic changes and physiological constraints.