Pruning of sensation mango trees to maintain their size and effect uniform and later flowering.
Oosthuyse S. A.
Author Affiliation: Merenksy Technological Services, PO Box 14, Duivelskloof 0835, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 14 : 1-6
Abstract : Pruning after harvest was evaluated as a measure to maintain the size of mature Sensation mango trees. Trees growing in the Transvaal were either left, or pruned in late Feb. to remove the branches which developed during the preceding season. Prolific and synchronous re-growth was initiated within 13 days of pruning. In the unpruned trees, new shoot development was delayed after harvest, and occurred erratically during Mar., Apr. and May. A greater number of new shoots arose from the pruned than from the unpruned branches. Shoot length was similar, although fewer leaves were produced by the shoots on the pruned branches. Flowering commenced in late June. Pruning gave rise to slightly delayed and more uniform flowering. Starch content in the leaves and stem of new shoots at flowering was higher in pruned than unpruned trees. Neither yield per tree, number of fruits retained per tree, nor average fruit weight at harvest were adversely affected by pruning. The success of pruning was ascribed to adequate canopy recovery and the general ability of the new shoots produced to initiate inflorescences.