The energy demand of fruit production and its effect on fruit size in Sensation.
Davie S. J., Walt M. van der, Stassen P. J. C.
Author Affiliation: Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Private Bag X11208, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 15 : 18-20
Abstract : Mango cv. Sensation trees sometimes set excessively large numbers of fruits, only a few of which reach maturity. In a trial carried out in 1994 on 16-year-old trees, estimates of fruit set were made in Sep., then in Nov. the following treatments were applied: (1) all fruits removed, (2) 50% of fruits (the smallest ones on each branch) removed, (3) all one-year-old growth removed by pruning on every other branch (removing 50% of fruits) or (4) no treatment (control). The removal of 50% of the fruits on the tree by pruning or hand thinning (i.e. treatments 2 and 3) increased fruit size without reducing yield. Data on the starch status of the trees between Nov. and Apr. are also presented.