The stunted fruit disorder - a physiological anomaly in mango (Mangifera indica L.) caused by a fluorine pollutant.
Zhang C. L., Huang H. B.
Author Affiliation: Department of Land Resources and Environment Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, China.
Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 73 : 513-516
Abstract : The stunted mango fruit disorder (SFD) is characterized by small-sized fruits, stiffened pulp tissue and failure to ripen at harvest. A cabinet fumigation trial with potted fruiting mango trees was carried out to investigate the cause of this disorder. Treatment with hydrogen fluoride (12 or 24 µg HF m-3) succeeded in inducing the typical symptoms of SFD, while treatment with sulphur dioxide (800 µg SO2 m-3) failed. Inhibition of cell expansion growth was observed in SFD fruits. The cells of affected fruits were much smaller than those of normal fruits at the same growth stage. Although reduction of photosynthesis in leaves was seen under both HF and SO2 fumigation treatments, it did not seem to limit fruit growth. The leaf and fruit F or S contents increased in HF or SO2 fumigation treatments. It is suggested that F pollutant in the smoke emitted from brick kilns or aluminium factories must be the direct cause of SFD.