Relationship of leaf and fruit transpiration rates to the incidence of spongy tissue disorder in two mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars.
Shivashankara K. S., Mathai C. K.
Author Affiliation: Tree Physiology Laboratory, Division of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bangalore 560 089, India.
Scientia Horticulturae 82 : 317-323
Abstract : The relationship of leaf and fruit transpiration rates with the incidence of spongy tissue in mango cultivars Dashehari (not susceptible to spongy tissue) and Alphonso (susceptible to spongy tissue) was investigated. Leaf transpiration rates were similar in both the cultivars, but the fruit transpiration rates were significantly higher in cv. Dashehari. Artificially induced variations in fruit transpiration rates using perforated polyethylene covers and vaseline coating of fruits also resulted in significant changes in the incidence of spongy tissue in cv. Alphonso. The significant and negative relationship observed between the fruit transpiration rate and spongy tissue suggests that the lower fruit transpiration rates in cv. Alphonso are a varietal specific trait, which results in slower movement of water and minerals to the fruits from soil leading to the development of spongy tissue.