Effect of gibberelin on setting and growth of non-pollinated parthenocarpic fruit in mango.
Ogata T., Tamura H., Hamada K., Hasegawa K.
Author Affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan.
: 597-604
Abstract : Some nubbins (small seedless fruit containing only flat empty endocarp) can remain parthenocarpically until the harvest on an inflorescence in Mango (Mangifera indica L.). In this study, we tried to improve the bearing and growth of non-pollinated mango nubbins with gibberellin (GA) in order to endow the marketable value on them. Twelve trees of 'Irwin' mango were cultured in a heated greenhouse kept at the minimum temperature over 15°C; the pollination was restricted by isolation of trees from natural insect pollinators through the anthesis. Five non-pollinated fruit on an inflorescence, surviving after primary physiological flower and fruit drop, were treated with 1 ml-solution containing gibberellin (0 to 500 ppm GA3) and prohexadione (0 to 100 ppm-prohexadione-Ca) with a painting brush on the fruit surface. Nubbins were easy to drop, and had smaller fruit size and lower fruit weight than those of seeded fruit, however, GA recovered fruit setting and growth of nubbins apparently depending on the concentration and frequency of treatment. There were no significant effects of GA on flesh firmness, total soluble solids content and skin color of fruit. Prohexadione didn't induce any observable influences on setting, growth and quality of fruit.