Effect of a fertilizer application before pruning or at pruning time on growth of new shoots and leaf chlorophyll levels of 'Nam Dok Mai' mango.
Surachot N., Phavaphutanon L., Krisanapook K.
Author Affiliation: Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
: 478-484
Abstract : A study was conducted in Thailand to determine the effect of fertilizer application before and at pruning on the growth of new shoots and chlorophyll levels of new leaves of mango cv. Nam Dok Mai. Mango trees were pruned during the regular flowering season in December. NPK chemical fertilizer grade 15-15-15 was applied for 14 days before pruning and at pruning time at 1 kg/plant. Budbreak occurred within 2 weeks after pruning. Both fertilizer application dates recorded no difference in terms of time to budbreak and budbreak percentage. Eighty-nine percent of pruned branches produced vegetative buds, while 11% of pruned branches produced flower buds. Fertilizer application before pruning resulted in more new shoots, but the weight of new shoots were less than those treated with fertilizer at pruning time. The number of new leaves per pruned branch, leaf area, length of new leaves and new shoots, new shoot dry weight, and chlorophyll levels of developing leaves were not significantly different between the two fertilizer application dates.