Effects of pruning and potassium nitrate spray on floral and vegetative bud break of mango cv. Haden.
Rojas E., Leal F.
Author Affiliation: Universidad Centrooccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Apartado 400, Barquisimeto, Venezuela.
: 522-529
Abstract : In 1994, the effects of pruning, potassium nitrate (KNO3) sprays and their combination on the promotion of early flowering were investigated in a 4-year-old plantation of mango cv. Haden (rootstock Criollo) trees in Aragua State, Venezuela. Pruning treatments were: no pruning; pruning on one side of the tree; pruning on top and 2 sides; and pruning on top and 4 sides. Pruning was performed on June 12. KNO3 (0 or 6%) was sprayed on single terminal branches (12/tree) on 21 October or 18 December. Pruning, nitrate levels and time of spray were combined in a 4 × 2 × 2 factorial design with 6 replicates and 1 plant as experimental unit. Vegetative bud break was promoted in the 3-month period following pruning. Flowering was inhibited by pruning, and this inhibition increased as the intensity of pruning increased. KNO3 caused slight promotion of flowering in October, and heavier flowering in December, on unpruned trees. The interaction of pruning and KNO3 on flowering was significant. KNO3 compensated for the adverse effects of pruning on flowering, especially when sprayed on trees pruned either on 1 side of the tree or on the top and 2 sides in December.