Vegetative and reproductive growth aspects of mango growing in a Mediterranean climate in Western Australia.
Issarakraisila M., Considine J. A., Turner D. W.
Author Affiliation: Institute of Agricultural Technology, Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
: 56-63
Abstract : Aspects of vegetative and reproductive growth of mango cv. Kensington growing in a marginal area (7.4°C minimum and 19.6° maximum in winter) of Western Australia were investigated during 2 growth seasons. Vegetative growth only occurred when the mean monthly temperature rose above 15°, and inflorescences emerged when the mean monthly temperature was 12°-17°. The probability of a terminal shoot flowering was related to whether that shoot had undergone a period of vegetative growth in the season before flowering. Fruit set was also affected by the vigour of individual shoots, as measured by the number of vegetative flushes (0-3) in the season before flowering. Subsequent vegetative growth was influenced by the current crop load and the vigour of shoots, as measured by the number of vegetative flushes (1-3) in their last growing season. The number of terminal shoots in the canopy increased gradually as the trees aged, although the proportion of new shoots (shoots with ?1 flush in the current season) decreased. The manipulation of growth and yield of mangoes in a marginal climate is discussed.