Effect of spray application of KNO3, urea and growth regulators on the yield of Tommy Atkins mango.
Oosthuyse S. A.
Author Affiliation: Merensky Technological Services, PO Box 14, Duivelskloof 0835, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 13 : 58-62
Abstract : Ten-year-old mango cv. Tommy Atkins trees (previously deblossomed to induce uniform flowering) were sprayed with Wuxal-boron (150 ml/100 litres H2O), KNO3 (4 kg/100 litres H2O), low biuret urea (1 kg/100 litres H2O), NAA (40 p.p.m.), CPPU [forchlorfenuron] (10 p.p.m.) or GA3 (40 p.p.m.) in various combinations, during flowering or just before fruit drop. Alternatively, trees were subjected to panicle pruning (newly developing panicles were headed just above the second or third branch from the point of panicle attachment; the other panicles were headed back severely) during flowering. KNO3 application was the only treatment applied during flowering which significantly increased fruit retention, average fruit mass, yield and economic returns. Of the treatments applied after flowering, CPPU + GA3, NAA or NAA + GA3 significantly increased fruit retention, yield and economic returns. Increases in returns were in the range 19-33%.