The effect of calcium and magnesium chelate sprays at flowering on fruit quality and physiological disorders in mango.
Oosthuyse S. A.
Author Affiliation: HortResearch SA, P.O. Box 3849, Tzaneen 0850, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 17 : 29-32
Abstract : Two sprays of either Calcimax (Ca), Magmax (Mg) or a mixture of Calcimax + Magmax (1.5 litre of each product/100 litre H2O) were applied to flowering mangoes (cultivars Sensation and Tommy Atkins) growing in an orchard in South Africa. Yield and fruit size were not affected by treatments, but Calcimax increased internal breakdown in Tommy Atkins and bacterial black spot in Sensation fruits. Differences in disease incidence (besides bacterial black spot), lenticel damage, ground skin colouration, total soluble solids content or pH of fruits in relation to treatment were not apparent in either cultivar. In Tommy Atkins, Magmax apparently enhanced taste, and Calcimax reduced taste appeal. The inability of Calcimax to reduce internal breakdown was ascribed to a distortion of the nutrient balance within fruits.