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This paper discusses the role of mango canopy architecture in mango productivity and orchard management and considers potential increases on production of high density orchards through improved canopy architecture. Lower tree height, reduced vigour and smaller more open canopies are recognised as important aspects of high density orchards. However, vigour management, light relations, flowering and crop load of high density orchards needs to be better understood if we are to developed sustainable highly productive canopy training and pruning systems that are easy to maintain at high planting densities.

Productivity in temperate tree crops such as apple has been lifted several fold by research focusing on optimising a combination of canopy components including light relations, vigour control, tree architecture and crop load. This paper outlines the research behind the Small Tree High Productivity Initiative (STHPI) which is focused on improving productivity of mango, avocado and macadamia. Preliminary results from work we are undertaking for each of the above canopy components in mango will be outlined. A rootstock screening trial to identify vigour managing, high productivity rootstocks is being undertaken and we present a comparison of the best performing lowmedium vigour rootstock varieties compared to control Kensington Pride (KP) rootstock at six months old. Comparisons between Keitt, NMBP 1243 and Calypso scion varieties with regard to tree diameter, height and canopy growth at different orchard densities and training systems will also be presented. Preliminary results from an orchard light relations study indicate that mango yields continued to increase with light interception up to 50% and reached a maximum of 20-30 t/ha at 68% light interception in KP trees approximately 25 years old. In a crop load trial, inflorescence thinning in a Calypso orchard did not significantly reduce yields when up to 90% of inflorescences were removed but did when 95% of inflorescences were removed as trees were unable to compensate by adjusting fruit set, size and yield. Inflorescence thinning beyond 80% increased the number of fruit set per panicle and thinning up to and including 90% of inflorescences increased fruit weight from 340g to > 400g per fruit. This project is still in its initial stages, however early indications suggest there may be opportunities to improve early orchard yields through optimising light interception in an orchards life; potentially through the use of higher densities; and that rootstocks and tree training methods, once identified, may help in the management of vigour. It is also hoped to obtain a better understanding of how crop load influences the balance between vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting, alternate bearing and fruit quality.

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