Cluster planting favours malformation and influences yield and fruit quality in mango.
Sharma R. R., Singh C. N., Saxena S. K., Pandey S. N., Chhonkar O. P.
Author Affiliation: Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110 012, India.
Annals of Agricultural Research 22 : 49-52
Abstract : Experiments were conducted in New Delhi, India during 1997-99 in 10-year-old mango cv. Amrapali to study the effect of different planting densities on malformation [abnormal development], yield and quality. Planting density of 833 plants/ha had the lowest (44.66%) incidence of floral malformation while planting density of 5000 plants/ha had the highest (64.06%) incidence. Similar trends were observed for fruit weight whereas planting density of 5000 plants/ha had the highest fruit yield/plant. Fruits from less dense plantings were not statistically superior in quality parameters to those of high planting density although the highest pulp (74.3%), TSS (21.9%), total carotenoids (16?760 µg/100 g pulp), ascorbic acid (32 mg/100g of pulp) and lowest acidity (0.12%) was recorded in fruits from planting density of 833 plants/ha.