Growth, cropping and sturdiness of two-year-old mango trees in relation to branching initiated by pruning.
Oosthuyse S. A.
Author Affiliation: Merensky Technological Services, PO Box 14, Duivelskloof 0835, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 13 : 45-53
Abstract : Mango trees (cultivars Kent and Sensation) were headed 65 cm above ground level 2-3 months after planting to initiate branching. For the next 2 years (until first cropping), vigorous terminal shoots on each tree were tipped when they matured. The number of shoots tipped was varied between trees from zero to many. Positive, linear equations best described the relationship between the number of branching points and the number of terminal shoots, fruit bearing shoots or fruits retained. A slight reduction in average fruit weight, terminal shoot length and number of terminal shoot leaves accompanied the increase in number of branching points. The number of branching points was directly related to framework weight, root weight or total number of leaves. Logarithmic or multiplicative equations best described the relationship between the number of distal branching points and trunk or scaffold branch circumference. The circumference of the most recently tipped terminal shoot was more closely related to the number of leaves on the new shoots which arose after tipping, than to the number or total length of those shoots.