Relationship between leaf nutrient concentrations and cropping or fruit quality in mango.
Oosthuyse S. A.
Author Affiliation: HortResearch SA, P.O. Box 3849, Tzaneen 0850, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 17 : 1-5
Abstract : Multiple regression analysis was applied to leaf, yield and fruit analysis data obtained from 5 mango cultivars (18 trees/cultivar) growing at 2 sites in South Africa in 1996. Cultivars Zill, Tommy Atkins, Sensation, Heidi and Kent were included. Leaf nutrient concentrations were collectively stipulated as independent variables, and yield and quality related attributes were individually stipulated as dependent variables. Leaf N, P, K, Mg, Mn and Zn contents influenced the number of retained fruits. Leaf Zn and Mg contents influenced fruit size, and these nutrients and K influenced fruit quality. In certain instances, fruit disease incidence and leaf nutrient concentrations were correlated. It was concluded that nutrient balances or quantitative associations between mineral nutrients are of real importance in the consideration of tree nutrient status. This has the implication that many quantitative associations may be conductive to the development of fruit of good quality.