An experimental system to study mango flowering using containerized trees propagated by air-layering.
Nunez-Elisea R., Davenport T. L., Calderia M. L.
Author Affiliation: Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031, USA.
Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 104 : 39-41
Abstract : A method was developed to consistently induce floral differentiation in mature trees of cv. Tommy Atkins by exposure to chilling. Trees were propagated by air-layering branches of adult, field-grown trees. Rooting of girdled branches was induced within 12 weeks using 2% NAA in lanolin paste. Rooted air-layers were pruned and completely defoliated upon potting to regenerate the canopies. Mature, fully-expanded vegetative shoots were obtained within 10 weeks of pruning. Trees with developmentally uniform canopies were exposed to a chilling treatment of 18/10°C (day/night temperature) and a 12-h photoperiod. Defoliation of shoot tips stimulated initiation of apical buds. Bud break of nearly all stimulated buds occurred after 7-8 weeks of chilling. More than 80% of buds differentiated floral primordia. Bud meristematic activity during chilling was required for floral differentiation. Chilling induced flowering of containerized trees regardless of the time of year.