Paclobutrazol and water stress in the flowering and production of mango (Mangifera indica) 'Tommy Atkins'.
Fonseca N., Castro Neto M. T. de, Ledo C. A. da S.
Author Affiliation: EMBRAPA Mandioca e Fruticultura, Rua Embrapa, s/n, C.P. 07, CEP 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil.
Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura 27 : 21-24
Abstract : The flowering and fruit production of mango cv. Tommy Atkins trees were evaluated in semi-arid area of northeastern Brazil (Petrolina, Pernambuco) during 2000-01 in response to paclobutrazol (PBZ) application to the soil (1 ml/plant) under irrigation and to the leaves (at 0.5 and 1.0 ml in one application and split into 2 fractions) without irrigation. The control treatment involved one foliar application of water followed by water stress. The percentage of flowering per plant were recorded at 68-91, 131-179 and 190-216 days, whereas the number of fruits and production per plant were determined at 180-203, 267-287 and 299-337 days after the application of PBZ. The water stress treatment without PBZ application resulted in efficient flowering induction and fruit production, comparable to those obtained with the application of PBZ to the soil under irrigation and to the leaves without irrigation. The second evaluation time was superior to the first and third evaluation times in terms of flowering and production per plant. The PBZ application in soil advanced in 23 days the flowering of the plant in the second evaluation time in relation to the application of water stress. The study proposes that water stress has a potential to flowering induction and may replace the stress caused by PBZ application in mango trees under tropical semi-arid conditions.