Mango responses to flooding in limestone soil.
Larson K. D., Schaffer B., Davies F. S.
Author Affiliation: Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031, USA.
Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 104 : 33-39
Abstract : The effect was determined of soil flooding on the chemistry of 2 South Florida limestone soils, (Krome and Chekika very gravelly loams), and on mineral nutrition, leaf gas exchange, and vegetative growth of mango (cv. Peach). After one week, concentrations of Fe and Mn were greater for anaerobically incubated than for aerobically incubated limestone soils. To determine the influence of soil flooding on mineral nutrition and net leaf gas exchange, trees were grown with (+Fe) or without (-Fe) iron fertilizer in containers in limestone soil, and flooded for 0 (NF), 10 (F10) or 20 (F20) days. Prior to flooding, net photosynthesis (A), total leaf chlorophyll content, and foliar Mn and Fe concentrations were lower for -Fe trees than for +Fe trees. Chlorophyll content and foliar Fe and Mn concentrations increased in flooded trees relative to non-flooded trees, and this increase was greatest for the -Fe trees. Flooding resulted in reduced A; however, 184 days after imposition of flooding, A of the F20, -Fe trees was greater than that of the NF, -Fe trees. In a 3rd experiment, containerized trees were grown in limestone soil and exposed to soil flooding. Trees were harvested prior to flooding, and after 2 and 4 weeks of flooding, for determination of shoot and root DW and shoot DW:root DW ratios. Flooding reduced root growth, but did not affect shoot growth, resulting in an increased shoot:root ratio.