Effect of water stress on flowering and yield of 'Kensington Pride' mango (Mangifera indica L)

Abstract

It is generally agreed that a period of quiescence reinforced by low winter temperatures (mean < 16°C) is a prerequisite for floral induction in mango. In tropical climates, mean daily temperatures seldom fall below 16°C. This paper reports on the effect of water stress imposed after summer growth, on flowering and yield of mango in the dry-tropic of Australia. Three irrigation treatments were imposed on 15-year-old 'Kensington' mango trees: 1) irrigation throughout the year, 2) irrigation withheld from maturation of the first vegetative flush following harvest until 90% of buds were anatomically floral, and 3) irrigation withheld from maturation of the first vegetative flush following harvest until 70% of inflorescences had emerged. Withholding irrigation significantly increased the number of terminals that flowered by 20.5%. Tree yields were increased by 17% through withholding irrigation in two of three years.