The role of training systems in maintaining higher density mango orchards.
Fivaz J., Stassen P. J. C.
Author Affiliation: Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 16 : 32-35
Abstract : A study was carried out on Sensation trees on Sabre rootstocks (planted in 1990 at a spacing of 7 × 3 m) at Nelspruit to test different training systems that could be beneficial when intensive mango orchards reach the over-shadowing stage. Open vase, palmette, central leader, closed vase and a standard pruning system were compared with unpruned controls. The principles of the different systems are discussed. Results are presented to indicate how these systems affect tree volumes and influence tree spacing. The effects on the yield of 6-year-old trees after the second year of training are presented. Control trees had the highest yields per tree and per ha, but central leader trees had the highest yields per m³ of tree volume. Projected yields/ha with the central leader system were almost equal to those of controls if the planting density were increased further (from 667 to 1000 trees/ha) for the central leader system.