Changes of total non-structural carbohydrates within shoots of 'Nam Dok Mai' mango after paclobutrazol application.
Phavaphutanon L., Krisanapook K., Pichakum A., Jutamanee K.
Author Affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsan, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
: 559-565
Abstract : Relationship between total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) within shoots, leaf flushing and flowering of Nam Dok Mai mango after paclobutrazol application was evaluated in Thailand. Following a paclobutrazol drench in June 1997, vegetative growth of treated trees was completely inhibited. Paclobutrazol induced off-season flowering in September 1997, while the control, non-treated trees still grew vegetatively producing another 2-3 flushes. On-season flowering occurred in late November 1997 on both treated and control trees, with lower flowering density on treated trees. Changes in shoot TNC was correlated with leaf flushing and flowering; TNC decreased significantly during leaf flushing and flower emergence. As vegetative growth was inhibited by paclobutrazol, shoot TNC tended to accumulate faster prior to off-season flowering. Changes in TNC in leaves and stems of current year shoots were greater than in 1-year old shoots. A significant decrease in TNC in 1-year-old stem sections was correlated with leaf flushing. Due to poor fruit set of both off- and on-season crops, the relationship between shoot TNC and fruit set was not clearly established.