Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2001: 3(2): 95-97

Variation in canopy characteristics of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars from diverse eco-geographical regions

Shailendra Rajan; Ram Kumar; Negi, S S

Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Rehmankhera, P.O. Kakori, Lucknow - 227 107, India.

A study was conducted Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, to study foliage density and canopy diffuse non-interceptance in 26 Indian mango cultivars. The indirect measurement of leaf area index (LAI) and diffuse non-interceptance (DNI) was conducted using output of concentric silicon detectors placed at five zenith angles on the sensing head of LAI-2000, which recorded significant variability in foliage density (LAI=1.18-4.48). DNI values also exhibited large variation, which ranged from 0.02 to 0.36. UPGMA cluster analysis of the data revealed that Bangalora, Fazri, Neelum, Vanraj, Dashehari, Alphonso, Lucknow Safeda, and Banganapalli had similarity in tree leaf component. Nisar Pasand, Kishan Bhog, and Bombay Green had compact and dense canopy with more foliage component. Papatio and Fernandin exhibited comparatively less foliage under Lucknow conditions. Prabhashankar and Chausa showed similarity and were closer to compact canopy group. In general, east and north Indian cultivars recorded more foliage component, whereas Fernandin and Papatio canopies exhibited high DNI values. The cultivars recording more DNI produced fruits with better colour.