The influence of Multi NPK 12-2-44 on the flowering capacity of 'Carabao' mango.
Golez H. G., Zamora N. F.
Author Affiliation: National Mango Research and Development Center (NMRDC), San Miguel, 5045 Jordan, Guimaras, Philippines.
: 108-115
Abstract : Flowering in 21-year-old mango trees of cultivar Carabao increased with increasing concentrations (1, 1.5 or 2%) of applied Multi NPK. Flowering was high 14 days after induction, and continued to increase 7 days later. The highest flowering (80.8%) occurred on trees sprayed with 2.0% Multi NPK, and the lowest (50.6%) occurred on trees sprayed with 3.0% Multi NPK. Control trees did not flower. The different treatments did not significantly affect the final size of the panicles (length and width), or the number of flowers/panicle. However, trees sprayed with Multi NPK had more axillary and multiple panicles, and more hermaphrodite flowers. Fruit set increased as applied Multi NPK was increased up to 2.5%. However, a slight decrease in the number of fruits retained/panicle was observed when NPK was applied at >2.5%. The highest fruit set/panicle values were 2.24 and 2.27, obtained using 2.5% Multi NPK and Super blum, respectively. It is recommended that low concentrations of Multi NPK (1.0-1.5%) should be applied during late induction (December-April), and that higher concentrations (2.0-2.5%) should be used during early induction (July-November).