Effect of air temperature on mango tree yield and fruit quality.
Espínola Sobrinho J., Menezes J. B., Souza T. H., Melo F. C., Leitão M. M. V. B. R., Machado F. L. C.
Author Affiliation: Superior School of Agriculture of Mossoró, 84-312-2100, Mossoró, RN, Brazil.
: 189-194
Abstract : A study was conducted at the MAISA S/A farm, in Mossoró County, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, to analyse the relationship between the global solar radiation-related air temperature and the yield of mango (cv. Tommy Atkins) tree, taken as reference the exhibition areas NW, SW, SE, and NE of the canopy. For production analysis, five plants were considered, one chosen for installation of the temperature sensor. Readings were taken with the help of a micrologger 21X, programmed for acquiring data every second. Portion SE of the canopy yield the highest production (59.11 kg/tree), followed by SW (55.82 kg/tree), NE (50.59 kg/tree), and NW (45.41 kg/tree). The most productive areas were the ones that received larger incidence of solar radiation and higher temperatures. Forty-one percent of the fruits presented export quality. The average weight of the fruits varied from 0.38 to 0.44 kg for sides SE and SW, respectively. The air temperature around the fruits presented an average of 30.7 and 24.7°C for daily and night values, respectively, for all portions on the canopy. A maximum value of 39.3°C and a minimum value of 18.8°C in the sides SW and NW were registered.