Nutrient levels in malformed and healthy tissues of mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Abstract

Samples of malformed and healthy panicles of mango (Mangifera indica L.) as well as leaves and shoots bearing them were collected at different stages of development (fully swollen buds, bud inception, fully grown panicles prior to full bloom and at full bloom) over two consecutive years and were analysed for their macro-and micronutrient status. In addition, malformed and healthy seedlings were collected and analysed. Malformed panicles were found to be significantly higher in N at all the developmental stages except at bud inception. Phosphorus and K also tended to accumulate in malformed panicles at later stages of their development. In general, malformed panicles exhibited lower levels of P, K and Ca than healthy panicles. The differences in levels of Mg and S in malformed and healthy panicles were not significant. All micronutrients were in much lower concentrations in malformed panicles except for Mn which appears to accumulate in malformed panicles particularly at the early stages of development. The leaves on the shoots bearing malformed panicles also showed a tendency to accumulate N, while P, Mg and S were always higher in leaves on shoots bearing healthy panicles. The leaves on shoots bearing healthy panicles had lower levels of Fe, Cu and Mn, whereas levels of Zn and B tended to be higher in leaves on shoots bearing malformed panicles. The nutrient concentration differences between the two kinds of shoots were generally nonsignificant (P = 0.05), except for K and S which were significantly lower in shoots bearing malformed panicles. The shoots bearing malformed panicles showed significantly (P = 0.05) higher levels of almost all nutrients compared with shoots bearing healthy panicles. Vegetative malformation was found to be associated significantly (p = 0.05) with higher amounts of all nutrients except Ca which was significantly higher in healthy seedlings. The present study, therefore, seems to point to lower Ca as one of the pre-disposing factors causing malformation in mango.

Minimizing Mineral Nitrogen Fertilizers Losses to Mango Trees Using Urea-formaldehyde Slow Release Fertilizer and Nitrobein Biofertilizer Under New Valley Conditions

“…Intensive fertilization is required to minimize nutrient deficiencies that might induce alternate bearing or stoichiometric stress, which restrict mango productivity. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient that may affect many parameters of mango tree productivity, such as vegetative growth (Raj and Rao, 2006), alternate bearing (El-Motaium et al, 2019), photosynthesis (Urban et al, 2008), quality of shoot bearing and panicles (Singh et al, 1991), embryo abortion (Singh, 2005), fruit color and anthracnose disease (Nguyen et al, 2004). Deficient nitrogen conditions may depress the vegetative and reproductive development of mango trees, whereas excess nitrogen may be harmful because excess vegetative growth impairs floral differentiation (Pinto et al, 2007).…”

Nitrogen uptake and macronutrients distribution in mango trees (cv. Keitt) under three N fertigation treatments

“…Intensive fertilization is required to minimize nutrient deficiencies that might induce alternate bearing or stoichiometric stress, which restrict mango productivity. N is an essential nutrient that may affect many parameters of mango tree productivity, such as: vegetative growth (Raj and Rao, 2006; Stassen and van Vuuren, 1997), alternate bearing (El-Motaium et al, 2019), photosynthesis (Urban et al, 2008), quality of shoot bearing and panicles (Singh et al, 1991), embryo abortion (Singh, 2005), fruit color (Bally, 2007; McKenzie, 1994; Nguyen et al, 2004), and anthracnose disease (Nguyen et al, 2004). Deficient N conditions may depress the vegetative and reproductive development of mango trees, whereas excess N may be harmful because excess vegetative growth impairs floral differentiation (Davenport, 2003, 2009; Pinto et al, 2007; Ramírez and Davenport, 2010).…”

Cytology of infection of Fusarium mangiferae Britz in different malformed reproductive parts of mango

“…The disease affects vegetative shoots and floral panicles resulting in phyllody and hypertrophy (Singh and Dhillon 1990a;Ploetz 1994). Various aetiologies, including viral (Das et al 1989), nutritional (Prashad et al 1965;Singh et al 1991) and hormonal (Singh and Dhillon 1987, 1988, 1990b, have previously been claimed in the literature. A novel experiment by Freeman et al (1999) unequivocally proved the causal relationship between Fusarium subglutinans (Wollenweb.…”