Pruning and paclobutrazol affect the growth and production of young mango 'Tommy Atkins' trees.
Medina-Urrutia V. M.
Author Affiliation: INIFAP-Campo Experimental Tecomán, Apartado Postal #88, CP 28100, Tecomán, Colima, Mexico.
Proceedings of the Interamerican Society for Tropical Horticulture 38 : 50-55
Abstract : The influence of pruning (in July) and paclobutrazol (PBZ) application (to soil or foliage) on growth, flowering, yield and fruit size was investigated in young mango cv. Tommy Atkins trees planted at high density (4 × 4 m). Pruning trees to 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0 m high increased shoot numbers compared with unpruned trees. Similar vegetative responses were observed in pruned + paclobutrazol-sprayed trees. Soil applications of PBZ (10 ml a.i. in 3 litres of water applied to each tree in July) increased flower numbers and enhanced early flowering compared with control trees. Soil PBZ application, with or without pruning to 2.5 or 3.0 m high, resulted in higher early and total yields than no treatment, pruning-only treatments, or pruning + foliar PBZ application. In unpruned trees, soil PBZ application reduced shoot length compared with controls and in pruned trees, soil application reduced shoot length compared with foliar application, especially in the 2nd and 3rd flushes.