Promotion of flowering and fruit set in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Haden, with paclobutrazol.
Ferrari F. D., Sergent A. E.
Author Affiliation: Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Apdo. 4579, Maracay 2101, Venezuela.
Revista de la Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Central de Venezuela 22 : 9-17
Abstract : In a trial in Maracay, Venezuela, on 5-year-old mango cv. Haden trees on Criollo rootstock, paclobutrazol was applied to the soil at 0.0, 5.0, 10.0 or 15.0 g a.i./tree in July 1993 or at 2.5 g a.i./tree in October 1993. Compared with controls, the 10.0- and 15.0-g treatments accelerated flowering by 122 days, the 5.0-g treatment did so by 92 days and the 2.5-g treatment by 46 days. All paclobutrazol application rates significantly increased the percentage of reproductive shoots compared with control trees and also extended the flowering period. Panicle development from subapical and axillary buds was observed at the end of the flowering period in all paclobutrazol treatments, but axillary panicle development was not observed in control trees. Total fruit weight was significantly increased by the higher paclobutrazol application rates, although average individual fruit weight was lower than in controls.