Ecophysiology of mango (Mangifera indica L.) under high density planting system in Muthalamada area
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Date
2020
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Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara
Abstract
The experiment on “Ecophysiology of mango (Mangifera indica L.) under
High Density Planting System in Muthalamada area” was conducted in a farmer’s orchard
in Muthalamada located in Kollengode block panchayath of Palakkad district during
October 2018 to May 2020.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the response of different varieties
of mango to climatic conditions prevailing in Muthalamada area and study the
phenological cycles of growth and production. Four varieties namely, Alphonso,
Banganapalli, Imam Pasand and Sindhooram, which were extensively cultivated by the
farmers of Muthalamada were selected as the material for study for the study.
Five trees each from the four varieties under study, maintained under high
density planting system were selected at random for the study. The varieties in the orchard
were of four years of age and were maintained under good management practices.
Observations on tree characters, inflorescence characters, phenological stages, leaf
nutrient status, physiological and biochemical characters and yield were recorded. In
addition to these, observations on meteorological data, soil nutrient status and incidence
of pests and diseases were recorded during the period under study and correlation studies
were done to evaluate the effects of parameters on the flowering and yield of the varieties.
Among the four varieties, early flowering was noticed in the variety
Banganapalli, followed by the varieties Imam Pasand, Alphonso and Sindhooram. Fruit
set was observed in all the varieties except Imam Pasand. Among the three varieties which
had fruited, the variety Alphonso recorded the maximum fruit weight (274.62 g) and the
variety Sindhooram recorded the maximum fruit yield (11.27 kg).
Correlation coefficient analysis was carried out to identify the factors which
influenced the flowering and fruiting behaviour in Muthalamada region. The level of
potassium content in the leaves was significantly correlated with earliness in flowering
with a correlation coefficient of -0.769 and flowering duration exhibited a positive
correlation with leaf C:N ratio and boron content with a significant correlation coefficient
of 0.509 and 0.530. The inflorescence length and width showed a significant negative
correlation with the carbohydrate: nitrogen ratio, magnesium content and boron content
in the leaves.
The physiological parameter transpiration rate was negatively correlated with
the number of days taken from pruning to flowering with a significant correlation
coefficient of -0.520. The time taken (days) to attain flowering was having a significant
positive correlation with leaf proline content before flowering and canopy air
temperature. This suggested that the trees tend to flower earlier under higher canopy
temperatures and proline content in the leaves.
It was observed that the weather parameters in Muthalamada region
influenced the flowering behaviour in the varieties. The earliness in flowering and
flowering duration were positively correlated with average maximum temperature before
flowering and the heat units accumulated by the resting bud with a significant correlation
coefficient of 0.869 and 0.973 respectively. This indicated the effect of higher
temperatures in stimulating flowering. Earliness in flowering showed a significant
negative correlation to the average rainfall obtained from pruning to flowering, which
indicated the requirement of low rainfall for flowering.
The inflorescence length and width were having negative correlation with
average minimum temperature and average rainfall with a significant correlation
coefficient of -0.690 and -0.775 respectively. This indicated that the inflorescence attains
better length and width under higher daily minimum temperatures and rainfall. Flowering
duration exhibited positive correlation with average maximum and minimum
temperatures. It also exhibited a significant positive correlation with the heat units
accumulated.
The accumulation of proline before flowering was positively correlated to the
average maximum temperature and heat units accumulated. A strong negative correlation
was observed between leaf proline content and average rainfall. This suggested that the
accumulation of proline is associated with higher temperatures and lower rainfall regimes.
Overall perusal of the results indicated that the earliness in flowering in
Muthalamada area is due to the influence of the weather conditions prevailing in the
region and the growing degree days required by the varieties. The variety Sindhooram
was superior in terms of yield but was comparatively late to the other varieties.
Considering the earliness in fruit maturity, the variety Banganapalli fetches maximum
price and is the most profitable variety for this region.
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