Mango flower
Mango, belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, is a major tropical fruit. The flowering in mango starts when the development process of the plant switches from vegetative to reproductive phases. Mango flowering serves as a pivotal physiological milestone, marking the onset of fruit production. The initial initiation phase is the foundational step for manifesting mango blossoms. This process is closely aligned with shoot initiation, where induction occurs based on prevailing conditions during initiation.
Flowering is not observed in newly formed shoots. The initiation of floral induction occurs after leaves have fully expanded and acquired a dark green coloration. Buds on shoots aged more than 8 weeks are capable of triggering the flowering process. This intricate process involves the influence of an unidentified floral stimulus named florigen, which originates in matured leaves.
Research on mango trees has substantiated the presence of a florigenic promoter (FP), a substance continuously synthesized in mango leaves, which stimulates flowering. Remarkably, this FP can traverse distances of up to 100 cm in subtropical climates and 52 cm in tropical conditions via translocation.
Several factors influence flowering, including the translocation of the florigenic promoter (FP), a compound synthesized in leaves and transported through the phloem to buds, where it triggers flowering. Plant growth regulators (PGR) also play a role in mango flowering.
The process by which plants induce mango flowers is highly dependent on temperature. The cold months of winter are when flowering is induced. In particular, this process occurs at an inductive temperature of around 18°C during the day and 10°C at night.
Once flower initiation begins, the optimal temperature is approximately 28°C during the day and 22°C at night. It’s important to note that warm temperatures, such as 30°C during the day and 25°C at night, lead to vegetative development rather than floral initiation. Additionally, temperatures near 30°C can hinder the floral initiation of induced buds in mango plants.
Severely low temperatures can negatively impact flowers, causing deformities and pollen mortality. Furthermore, the timing of the flowering phase is influenced by geographical factors. For every degree of latitude, whether moving north or south, there is a four-day delay in the flowering process. Likewise, an elevation increase of 125 meters leads to a corresponding four-day delay in flowering. These aspects highlight the responsiveness of flowering patterns to both temperature and geographic conditions, underscoring the importance of considering these variables when comprehending and forecasting plant development.
The inflorescence of mango flowering is known as panicle which has many branches and is huge. Depending on the cultivar, each panicle may have anywhere from 300 to 3000 hermaphrodite and male flowers. The Perfect flower ranges from 1.25 –81% and <1% flowers converted into fruit. Full blossom occurs 25 to 30 days after the initiation of the panicle. Around 60% of the flowers open before 6 a.m., while the remaining bloom throughout the day. Anther dehiscence, the process of releasing pollen, happens within an hour after the flowers open.
This sequence highlights the temporal aspects of mango flowering, with the development of a significant number of flowers during the early morning hours, and the timely release of pollen for reproductive purposes, leading to the development of variable-sized, shaped, colored, and weighted drupe fruits.
The mango’s flowering and fruiting patterns display extensive variation due to varietal distinctions and diverse agro-climatic conditions. As a highly cross-pollinated crop, mango trees bear both male and hermaphrodite flowers. These polygamous trees feature perfect and hermaphroditic flowers on the same inflorescence, and the entire process, encompassing shoot initiation, floral differentiation, and panicle emergence, unfolds predominantly during the night and early morning hours, with a brief flowering duration.
Mango Flowering Season
Mango flowering season usually begins in December and lasts until February. However, fruit growth starts in January and lasts until May, depending on when flowers bloom. Mango blossom initiation is critically dependent on lower temperatures, between 15-20°C during the day and 10-15°C at night, along with lots of sunshine.
Factor Affecting Mango Flowering Season.
Mango trees’ flowering seasons are influenced by several variables, which are important in regulating the quantity and timing of blossoms. Among these are:
Climate
Temperature and weather patterns have a significant impact on mango blossoming. For the tree to flower, it needs a stretch of cool, dry weather followed by a warm time.
Chill Hours
To trigger flowering, mango trees frequently require a specific number of chill hours or cumulative chilly temperatures.
Rainfall
For mangoes to flower, there must be a sufficient and even distribution of rainfall. Rainfall that is either too little or too much might hurt flowering.
Varietal Differences
The responses that distinct mango cultivars display to environmental stimuli result in differences in the patterns of blooming.
Nutrient Availability
Flowering is greatly influenced by the availability of vital nutrients, especially potassium and phosphorus.
Pruning procedures
By stimulating the growth of new branches and flower bud development, appropriate pruning procedures can influence flowering.
Control of Pests and Diseases
Keeping pests and diseases under control guarantees the tree’s general health, which enhances the tree’s capacity to flower.
Mango Flower Induction
Flowering in mangoes is certainly under environmental control, most probably photoperiod. They also reported that mango trees responded to temperature variations more critically than to photoperiods as evidenced by the different times of flowering at different places in India.
Production of reproductive shoots requires initiation of growth during exposure to cool, inductive conditions. The resting buds of plants, which had been exposed to cool temperatures (18˚C day /10˚C night) for more than three weeks and then transferred to a warm temperature regime (30˚C day / 25˚C night) before initiation occurred, typically produce vegetative growth. Here are six methods by which mango flower can be induced:
Smudging
- Ethylene has been identified as the active agent responsible for flowering during smudging (Dutcher 1972).
- Smudging can induce flowering only if the shoot is in condition to flower.
- Smudging entails burning moist organic material such as grass or leaves slowly under the tree canopies and the resulting smoke induces flowering.
Potassium nitrate (KNO3) spray
- Potassium nitrate, especially in combination with urea, produced good results on flowering and yield parameters.
- Spray 20g Potassium Nitrate in 1 liter of water. Spray a solution of potassium nitrate on the mango tree leaves.
- Spray before flowering time.
- Spray only on 10-years and older trees.
- A single application stimulated flowering within three weeks after treatment, and maximum response was observed at about four weeks.
- KNO3 was effective in stimulating the emergence of mango inflorescences more than 30 days in advance in Manila mango.
- Foliar application of KNO3 stimulated flowering of mango (Yeshitela et al., 2004).
- It is possible that KNO3 increased cell division and enlargement in the meristematic zone (Protacio, 2000).
- To determine if foliar nutrient application was beneficial, KNO3 at 40g / liter and urea at 40g / liter of were applied before flowering on 15 November 2007.
Ethylene
- The ethylene-generating agent, ethephon, applied at 0.5 ml/liter, induced flowering within six weeks after treatment.
- Applying one month before the usual flowering date led to a 40-55 percent increase in the flowering process (Nunez-Elisea et al. 1980).
Stressing the tree
- Stressing the tree by slashing or adding salt.
Paclobutrazol
Paclobutrazol induces flowering in mangoes by inhibiting gibberellic acid synthesis, a plant hormone that promotes vegetative growth. By suppressing gibberellic acid production, paclobutrazol redirects the plant’s energy towards reproductive processes, such as flower bud initiation. This leads to a shift in the plant’s hormonal balance, favoring the development of floral buds over vegetative growth. Consequently, mango trees treated with paclobutrazol exhibit an increased likelihood of flowering, facilitating improved fruit production.
Soil application of the growth retardant paclobutrazol was reported to reduce tree growth and induce precocious flowering, fruit set, fruit retention, and increase yield in bearing mango trees.
July application of paclobutrazol at 7.5 g/L or 10.0 g/L significantly advanced harvest by 22 days over control and produced 4.7-fold higher yield and bigger fruit over control.
Paclobutrazol @ 1.25 to 10 g.a.i/tree one of the commercialized methods to manipulate flowering by post-harvest application to the soil significantly promotes flowering and fruiting in the following year in Dashehari and Banganapalli came from India (Kulkarni, 1988).
Research shows that the use of paclobutrazol during July, August, and September inhibited vegetative growth and prompted early and abundant flowering.
Ammonium nitrate
Concentrations of 20g / liter ammonium nitrate were sufficient to promote early flowering in some of the mango varieties. Similar results between ammonium and potassium nitrate indicate that the nitrate ion is the active portion of the molecule.
Nutrient Management for Better Mango Flower.
Effective nutrient management is crucial for optimizing mango flower development. Balancing key elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is essential to induce and support flowering. This ensures that the mango trees receive the right nutrients at the right stages, promoting robust flower initiation and enhancing overall floral quality.
Farmyard Manure (FYM)
- Organic fertilizer rich in organic matter
- Improves soil structure and water retention.
- Apply 50kg FYM per plant in three split doses to support nutrient release.
Azospirillium (Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria)
- Nitrogen-fixing bacteria enhance nitrogen availability.
- Applying 250g per plant in three split doses supports nitrogen fixation.
Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO4)
- Vital micronutrients for proper flowering and fruit setting.
- The application of 23g per plant in three split doses ensures a steady supply.
Nitrogen (N)
- Nitrogen, a vital element for plant growth and development, becomes counterproductive when in excess, impeding mango flowering by promoting vegetative growth instead of the initiation of flowering.
- This imbalance can affect other essential nutrients like phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), crucial for the flowering process.
- Excessive nitrogen not only delays flowering but also raises the susceptibility to pest infestation due to heightened vegetative growth. Essential for robust vegetative growth.
- Apply 500g of Nitrogen or 1100g of Urea per tree in three split doses.
Phosphorus (P)
- For mango trees to begin flowering and bearing fruit, phosphorus is essential. To encourage the start of flowers, apply phosphorus fertilizer during the pre-flowering period.
- Essential for flowering, fruiting, and root development.
- Apply 250g of P2O5 or 600g of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) per tree.
Potassium (K)
- Sufficient levels of potassium can boost flowering in mango trees and augment the quantity of both flowers and fruit.
- Crucial for fruit quality, size, and disease resistance.
- Potassium aids in the conveyance of nutrients and water to the fruit, playing a crucial role in its growth and size.
- Application of 250g of Potassium or 400g of Muriate of Potash (MOP) per tree.
Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB)
- Enhances phosphorus availability in the soil.
- Apply 250g per plant in three split doses.
Calcium (Ca)
- Essential for nitrogen uptake and structural maintenance.
- Increased calcium is necessary for fruit consistency and appearance.
Boron (B)
- Micro-nutrients are crucial for mango productivity and fruit quality.
- Apply 2 kg/ha of B (as borax) in the soil to promote increased mango production.
Pollination and Fruit set
One special feature of the mango flower is that the female and male reproductive components are present in the same flower. These flowers rely mostly on external pollinators, such as flies, wasps, and different insects, to carry pollen between blossoms, despite their small size and minimal nectar and pollen output. The process of pollination must be successful for fruit development; otherwise, mango blooms may not bear fruit at all or may bear small, malformed fruits.
It becomes clear that cross-pollination is essential to boosting mango output. It is imperative to recognize that applying insecticides and fungicides should be avoided during the Full Bloom stage. This preventive action is essential because it guarantees the maintenance of insect-mediated pollination and guards against any interference that can result in a lower yield. Comprehending and honoring the intricate equilibrium between mango blossoms and their pollinators during Full Bloom highlights the significance of conscientious farming methods for the highest possible yield of mango fruits.
The pollination and fruit set process in mangoes is a delicate and intricate dance orchestrated by various factors. Anther dehiscence, occurring promptly within an hour post-anthesis, releases pollen with a commendable 90% viability rate. Meanwhile, the stigma, attaining receptivity a day before anthesis and persisting for two days post-anthesis, plays a crucial role in the acceptance of pollen.
Interestingly, the sticky nature of mango pollen results in its adherence not to the stigma but to the ovary base and nectary disc. This intricacy demands the assistance of pollinators, predominantly insects like bees, wasps, and flies. Cross-pollination, an essential requirement for a successful fruit set, is facilitated by these diligent pollinators.
Significant variations are witnessed in fruit set percentages, emphasizing the impact of notable cultivar differences. While self-pollination yields a modest 0-1.68% fruit set, cross-pollination significantly enhances this range, reaching from 6.4 to 23.4%. The reliance on external pollinators, coupled with the precise timing of anther dehiscence and stigma receptivity, underscores the intricate web of interactions necessary for optimal mango fruit development. This intricate process not only showcases the reliance on biodiversity but also highlights the nuances within cultivar-specific pollination dynamics.
Mango Flower Diseases
Anthracnose
- Caused by Colletotrichum gloesporioides.
- The most destructive disease affects mangoes.
- Targets flowers, young fruits, leaves, and young twigs.
- Manifests as black, sunken, irregular lesions on leaves and fruits.
- Thrives in moist conditions and is facilitated by rainfall.
Control measures
- Collect and destroy affected leaves and inflorescence.
- Apply sprays of copper-based fungicides.
Mango flower insect
Mango Hopper
- Tiny insects.
- Extract sap from flowers and young leaves.
- Cause deformation of twigs, leaves, panicles, flowers, and fruitlets.
- Result in significant economic losses.
FAQs
Q1. What is the maturity period of Mangoes?
The maturity period of mangoes varies depending on the mango cultivar and environmental conditions. Typically, mango trees start producing fruit within 3 to 4 years after planting. The time it takes for mangoes to reach maturity from flowering varies, but it generally ranges from 100 to 150 days. However, some early-season varieties may mature in around 90 days, while late-season varieties may take up to 180 days or more. Factors such as climate, temperature, and the specific mango variety play a significant role in determining the maturity period of mangoes.
Q2. How do you grow mangoes fast?
By following these two methods:
- Water application: Optimal Watering Mango trees need consistent watering, especially during dry periods. However, they are susceptible to root rot in waterlogged soil. Use a drip irrigation system to provide a steady water supply without waterlogging.
- Fertilize Regularly: Apply a balanced fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium during the growing season. Feed young trees more frequently to promote rapid growth.
Q3. What is the best indicator of the maturity of mango?
The best indicator of mango maturity is the fruit’s skin color. As mangoes ripen, the green skin transforms into vibrant hues, depending on the variety. Generally, a change from green to yellow, orange, or red signals ripeness. Additionally, a slight softening of the fruit’s flesh near the stem end suggests maturity. The aroma is another key indicator – a sweet, fruity fragrance indicates that the mango is ready to eat. While different varieties have specific characteristics, the combination of skin color, texture, and aroma serves as a reliable guide to determine the optimal maturity of mangoes for harvesting and consumption.
