References on Mango

Morsy M. H., El-Bana A. A.

Author Affiliation: Hort. Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.
Annals of Agricultural Science (Cairo) 3 : 1259-1272

Abstract : Ascorbic acid, cholecalciferol and vitamin B complex were applied to 2-week-old seedlings of mango cv. Alphonse (at 50 ppm for the first 2 sprays and at 100 ppm for the last spray) within 14 weeks. Cholecalciferol and ascorbic acid significantly increased stem length and thickness, number of leaves, leaf area, and specific leaf weight. A slightly insignificant increase in plant height and total leaf area was observed in plants treated with vitamin B complex. The antioxidants at 100 ppm were sprayed to 18-month-old plants 6 times at 2-week-intervals starting from the first week of April (1999) or first week of March (2000). Stem height and thickness, number of leaves, and total leaf area increased under all treatments, especially cholecalciferol. All treatments increased dry matter content, although vitamin B complex was the least effective. Plants treated with cholecalciferol and ascorbic acid showed increased dry matter partitioning to leaves and stems. Cholecalciferol and ascorbic acid enhanced plant growth and shoot:root ratio, but reduced root:shoot ratio. Botryodiplodia theobromae was isolated from blight-infected leaves of Alphonse grown in Minia Governorate, Egypt. The pathogen produced soft spots on leaves, which turned brown and irregularly shaped with yellow haloes. The pathogen invaded surfaces through wounds; uninjured tissues remained the least affected. The antioxidants at 25, 50 and 100 ppm inhibited mycelial growth, sporulation and spore germination in B. theobromae in vitro. Cholecalciferol at 100 ppm completely inhibited mycelial dry weight and sporulation. The antioxidants, sprayed to plants 2 days before pathogen inoculation, also controlled leaf blight disease in plants. Complete protection was obtained with 100 ppm cholecalciferol.