Uptake, distribution and requirements of macro elements in 'Sensation' mango trees.
Stassen P. J. C., Grove H. G., Davie S. J.
Author Affiliation: Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Private Bag X1 1208, Nelspruit, 1200, South Africa.
: 365-374
Abstract : Various guidelines exist with regard to the nutrition of mango trees. There is nevertheless still uncertainty with many producers as to the optimum application time for specific nutrient elements and how the plant utilizes these elements for growth and development. In this study, models of element uptake and distribution patterns were established using bearing 2-year-old mango trees in sand culture. It was also expanded to 6- and 18-year-old trees under field conditions (South Africa). The initial work was done with Sensation as the model. Similar tendencies can however be expected with other mango cultivars. It is suggested that nutritional requirements be expressed in terms of the mass (kg) of fruit produced. If yield information is unreliable then it should be based on the stem circumference (cm) of representative trees in the orchard. Leaf and soil analyses can be used to adjust these guideline quantities where necessary.