Effects of the leaf:fruit ratio on growth and partitioning of water and dry matter in mango fruit.
Léchaudel M., Jannoyer M., Génard M.
Author Affiliation: CIRAD-Flhor, Station de Bassin Martin, BP 180, 97455 Saint Pierre Cedex, Ile de La Réunion, France.
: 429-433
Abstract : An experiment was conducted during 2000-01 to study over a single season, in Reunion Island the effects of five leaf:fruit ratios (10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 leaves per fruit on girdled branches) on the growth of mango (Mangifera indica cv. Lirfa) fruits, as well as the water and dry matter accumulation in peel, pulp and stone. A strong positive effect of the leaf:fruit ratio on fruit growth and on water and dry matter partitioning between the three components was observed. The strongest accumulation was observed in the fruits from the 100 and 150 leaves per fruit treatments. A unique relationship between the water and dry matter accumulation in each component was observed irrespective of the treatment. An equation calculating the pulp dry matter content based on the fruit dry weight is presented.