EFFECTS OF FRUIT THINNING ON ‘SENSATION’ MANGO (MANGIFERA INDICA) TREES WITH RESPECT TO FRUIT QUANTITY, QUALITY AND TREE PHENOLOGY

Abstract

Different fruit thinning methods were tested on 'Sensation' mango trees over two seasons in a trial conducted in Northern Province, South Africa. The objective of the study was to select the best thinning intensity and method based on different parameters. Thinning was carried out in October prior to the occurrence of excessive natural fruit drop. When fruits were thinned to one and two fruits per panicle, fruit number, weight and yield per tree at harvest were all increased. When 50 % of the panicles were thinned there was an increase in the fruit retention potential of the trees as well as in the size and quality of the fruit produced. Large fruits were, however, prone to certain physiological problems. Chemical thinning with Corasil.E produced very small fruits with an increased percentage of 'mules' (fruit without seed). Trees subjected to severe thinning intensities showed earlier recovery of starch reserves and better vegetative growth than the control.

Effect of number and criteria of young fruitsin locoon yield of mango

“…The presence of different competitive capacities among fruits can result in the variation of fruit weight in a panicle. Yeshitela et al [5] confirmed this fact in mango by claiming that fruit should be thinned in every panicle.…”

“…Yeshitela et al showed that fruit thinning influenced the weight per fruit of 'Sensasion' mango [5]. The highest weight per fruit was reached when there was only one fruit maintained per panicle.…”

“…Fruit thinning can also serve to increase individual fruit weight, reduce branch breakage, support plant vigor, reduce fluctuations in production, and make pest and disease control easier. When mango fruits were thinned to one or two per panicle, fruit number, fruit weight and yield per tree at harvest were all increased and trees subjected to thinning showed earlier recovery of starch reserves and better vegetative grow than the control [5].…”

Subchronic safety evaluation of hot-water extract from thinned immature mangos (Mangifera indica ‘Irwin’): 90-days oral toxicity study in rats

“…The size and quality of mango fruits are increased if a large number of fruits is thinned during the immature stage [ 9 ]. However, thinned immature mangos do not undergo ripening [ 8 ], making them unsuitable for consumption as raw fruits.…”

“…When most of the fruits are thinned during the immature stage, the size and quality of the remaining mango fruits are increased (mature/unripe after thinning stage; Fig. 1 C) [ 9 ]. Fruit that is harvested when immature will soften, but it will not develop a pleasing flavor indicating that the ripening process will not salvage immature mango fruit [ 8 ].…”