Floral induction in axillary buds affected by pruning at panicle emergence in mango trees cv. Irwin grown in plastic house in Japan.
Sasaki K., Inoue H., Utsunomiya N.
Author Affiliation: Experimental Farm, Kinki University, Yuasa, Wakayama, 643-0004, Japan.
: 301-306
Abstract : The effects of pruning at panicle emergence on floral induction in axillary buds were studied in 7-year-old Irwin trees grown in a plastic house at Wakayama, Japan. On 7 March and 7 April, shoots on which the terminal panicle had emerged were treated by removing the panicle and pruning at 6-7 cm and 12-13 cm below the base of the panicle. Most treatments induced flower initiation in the axillary buds in each portion, even in the proximal portion of pruned shoots. More panicles were formed with pruning in March than in April. The intensity of floral initiation was greater on shoots comprising 3 growth flushes. Axillary panicles emerged and flowered at about the same time irrespective of pruning time and degree of pruning. The ratio of flower type differed little among all panicles. These results indicate that axillary panicles are produced by pruning well-developed shoots during cool season in mango cv. Irwin.