Effect of water stress on flowering and yield of 'Kensington pride' mango (Mangifera indica L)

It is generally agreed that a period of quiescence reinforced by low winter temperatures (mean less than or equal to 16 degrees C) is a prerequisite for floral induction in mango. In tropical climates, mean daily temperatures seldom fall below 16 degrees C. This paper reports on the effect of water stress imposed after summer growth, on flowering and yield of mango in the dry-tropic of Australia. Three irrigation treatments were imposed on 15-year-old 'Kensington' mango trees: 1) irrigation throughout the year, 2) irrigation withheld from maturation of the first vegetative flush following harvest until 90% of buds were anatomically floral, and 3) irrigation withheld from maturation of the first vegetative flush following harvest until 70% of inflorescences had emerged. Withholding irrigation significantly increased the number of terminals that flowered by 20.5%. Tree yields were increased by 17% through withholding irrigation in two of three years.