Flower induction for producing off-season mango in Thailand.

R. Junthasri, P. Nartvaranant, S. Subhadrabandhu and P. Tongumpai

Department of Horticulture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2000.v02i01.21

Key words: application methods, application rates, buds, canopy, climatic factors, cultivars, flowering, foliar spraying, fruit drop, fruit set, inflorescences, mangoes, orchards, paclobutrazol, thiourea
Abstract: The technique in producing off-season mango has been adopted in Thailand since 1986. Paclobutrazol, a plant growth retardant, was used in combination with thiourea for producing as well as breaking of flower buds. The studies on application methods showed that soil drenching of paclobutrazol is more effective for the induction of flowering in mango as compared to foliar spray. The rate of paclobutrazol application depended on the size of tree canopy as well as on mango cultivars. For most cultivars, the rate of paclobutrazol applied is generally determined by multiplying the diameter of tree canopy (expressed in meter) with 1.0-1.5 g of active ingredients of paclobutrazol. At 120 days after the application of paclobutrazol, 0.5% thiourea is usually sprayed to some cultivars for breaking of buds. Using this method, inflorescences are visible within 2.5 to 4 months after the paclobutrazol application depending on cultivar. However, the success in producing off-season mango is also dependent on other factors suc



Journal of Applied Horticulture