Architectural approach of the mechanisms of canopy growth and flowering of mango trees.
Goguey T.
Author Affiliation: Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Département des Production Fruitières et Horticoles, BP 5035, 34032 Montpellier cedex, France.
: 124-131
Abstract : Alternate flowering and low inflorescence numbers at flowering cause low yields (3-7 t/hectare) of mangoes in West Africa. A new approach based on architectural analysis was investigated using the polyembryonic cultivar Tête de Chat. Applied to seedlings, the architectural analysis allowed the identification and characterization of 5 types of axes. Although they represent 30-40% of the tree branches, the delayed proleptic (reiterated) axes, DRAs, bear >60% of the fruits. These axes are weak, poorly-leaved, and stem from buds elaborated well before the growth of the flushes or units of extension that produce them. The other axes are more involved in the vegetative development of the tree. The distance in space (position in the tree) and in time (different functions, sometimes deferred) of the activity of the meristems corresponded to specific functions of repeated complexes. The alternate bearing appears to be an expression of the particular functions of these meristems, and not aberrations of flowering and vegetative mechanisms. It is concluded that the types of axes and the general organization of mangoes into 3 subunits (architectural units, early reiterated sympods and delayed reiterated axes) allows consideration of agronomic practices which will increase the yields of grafted mango trees.