Role of metal chelates in integrated management of mango (Mangifera indica) malformation.
Gireesh Chand, Pandey M. K., Chakrabarti D. K.
Author Affiliation: Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh 224 229, India.
Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 72 : 613-615
Abstract : Three chelating agents, mangiferin (13,6,7-tetrahydroxanthane-C2-?-D glucoside), ethylene diamine tetrahydroxy acetic acid (EDTA) and amino acid, were tested for their micronutrient (Cu2+ and Zn2+) mobilizing capacity in mango (Mangifera indica cv. Amarpali) shoots and concomitant effects on the development of floral mango malformation incited by Fusarium moniliforme var. subglutinans [Gibberella fujikuroi var. subglutinans]. Mangiferin, a natural metabolite of mango, was the best chelating agent, followed by amino acid and EDTA. The amount of Cu2+ and Zn2+ in the buds of trees, from which malformed shoots and panicles were not eradicated, increased after micronutrient treatment, but its consumption compared with that of buds of pruned trees was decreased. Cu2+ reduced the fungal population and increased Zn2+ concentration, while the latter helped in the normal development of the buds and increase in flowering. The minimum disease incidence and maximum flowering were recorded upon treatment with mangiferin Cu2+ chelate and aminocel (containing both Cu2+ and Zn2+), respectively. To manage mango malformation, the use of a mixture of Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions with mangiferin as a chelating agent after the removal of malformed shoots and panicles is recommended.