Fruit growth and abscission of the mango (Mangifera indica L.) Zihua.
Chen HouBin, Huang MeiYan
Author Affiliation: Tropical & Subtropical Fruit Research Laboratory, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, China.
Journal of South China Agricultural University 16 : 73-77
Abstract : The pattern of fruit growth in the mango cv. Zihua was double sigmoid. There were 4 periods of fruit development, namely, a period of initial limited growth (Stage 0), a period of rapid increase (Stage I), a period of delayed increase (Stage II), and a second period of rapid increase and maturity (Stage III). The duration of Stage 0 was correlated with the date of anthesis. The durations of the other stages were 39, 7, and 49 days, respectively. Size increases occurred mainly during stage I, fruits attaining 88% of the length at maturity, while DM mostly accumulated in Stage III. The fibrous stony pericarp hardened in Stage II. Fruits abscised within about 5 weeks after flower shedding, the main wave occurring in the first 2 weeks. Fruits matured in 95-138 days. Some factors affecting fruit growth and abscission are discussed.