Effect of cobalt ions on floral malformation, yield and fruit quality of 'Dusheri' mango (Mangifera indica L.).
Zora Singh, Lakhvir Singh
Author Affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141?004, India.
Journal of Horticultural Science 68 : 535-540
Abstract : A 4-year study of malformation in mango revealed that a single foliar application of 1000 p.p.m. cobalt sulphate prior to flower bud differentiation in the first week of Oct. successfully reduced flower malformation by 93, 94, 87 and 84% in each year, respectively, as compared with the earlier recommended treatment with NAA (100 p.p.m.) and with unsprayed control trees. The single foliar spray of cobalt sulphate was more effective in reducing flower malformation than a double spray. This treatment also increased fruit yield in all years. The foliar application of cobalt improved fruit weight, size, and the TSS:acid ratio and total sugars in the fruit. Flower malformation appeared to be unrelated to Co toxicity or deficiency.