Effect of cobalt, cadmium and nickel as inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis on floral malformation, yield and fruit quality of mango.
Zora Singh, Lakhvir Singh, Arora C. L., Dhillon B. S.
Author Affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141?004, India.
Journal of Plant Nutrition 17 : 1659-1670
Abstract : Co and Cd at 0, 250, 500, 1000 or 150 p.p.m. and Ni at 0, 100, 200 or 400 p.p.m. were applied as foliar sprays prior to flower bud differentiation in the first week of Oct. to mango cv. Langra. Cobalt sulphate (1000 p.p.m.) or cadmium sulphate (1500 p.p.m.) significantly reduced floral malformation by 65-71% and increased the fruit yield by 35-37%. The physical characteristics of the fruit were not affected significantly at the lower spray concentrations but higher Co and Cd concentrations had adverse effects. Fruit total and non-reducing sugars were decreased by the higher rates of Co and Ni applied, but %TSS or reducing sugars were unaffected. Foliar sprays of the sulphates of Co, Ni and Cd increased their respective concentrations in the leaf tissue without causing any phytotoxic symptoms. Applying 1000 p.p.m. cobalt sulphate in the first week of Oct. prior to flower bud differentiation gave the best results.