Effect of post-bloom aqueous spray application of GA3, NAA, and CPPU on fruit retention, fruit size, and yield in Tommy Atkins and Heidi mango.
Oosthuyse S. A.
Author Affiliation: Merensky Technological Services, PO Box 14, Duivelskloof 0835, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 15 : 31-33
Abstract : Three-year-old trees of the mango cultivars Tommy Atkins and Heidi were sprayed once (when fruits were pea-marble size) with (1) 40 p.p.m. GA3, (2) 40 p.p.m. NAA, (3) 40 p.p.m. GA3 + 40 p.p.m. NAA or (4) 40 p.p.m. GA3 + 10 p.p.m. CPPU [forchlorfenuron] with the aim of enhancing fruit retention and reducing fruit size. The GA3 + CPPU spray was the only treatment to significantly enhance fruit retention and reduce fruit size in both cultivars. On average, the number of fruits retained was increased by 63 and 39% and fruit weight was reduced by 25 and 27% in Tommy Atkins and Heidi, respectively. Yield/tree was not significantly affected by any of the spray treatments in either cultivar.