Effect of pre-flowering chemicals spray on flowering, yield and quality attributes in Mangifera indica L.

Background: The low production of the mango variety Banganapalli in India can be attributed to a number of factors. Mango varieties have a number of problems, including poor and inconsistent blooming, as well as poor or nonexistent fruit set. A significant contributor to low levels of production is the presence of Banganapalli. In order to alleviate these production issues, there is a significant requirement to make use of compounds that support the growth of flowers and improve fruit set. With this background, the present experiment was conducted to examine the suitable combination of chemicals for the flowering, yield and quality of mango. Methods: The chosen trees were treated with sprays at two distinct phases using the following methods: Urea 1 per cent + NAA 20 ppm (T1), Urea 1 per cent + Salicylic acid 200 ppm (T2), Urea 2 per cent + NAA 20 ppm (T3), Urea 2 per cent + Salicylic acid 200 ppm (T4), KNO3 1 per cent + NAA 20 ppm (T5), KNO3 1 per cent + Salicylic acid 200 ppm (T6), KNO3 2 per cent + NAA 20 ppm (T7), KNO3 2 per cent + Salicylic acid 200 ppm (T8), Water Spray (T9) and Control (T10). Results: The plants treated with KNO3 at a concentration of two per cent and NAA at 20 ppm exhibited the highest levels of total number of flowers per panicle (791.82), hermaphrodite flowers (239.406), percentage of fruit set (0.48), number of fruits per tree (129.22), yield (50.04) and quality parameters viz., total soluble solids (16.77°Brix), titratable acidity (0.30 per cent), ascorbic acid (20.56 mg), total sugar (19.58 per cent), reducing sugar (5.60 per cent) and non-reducing sugar (14.26 per cent) compared to other treatment combinations. Conclusion: In a nutshell, applications of KNO3 at a concentration of two per cent and NAA at a concentration of 20 ppm had a positive effect on the flowering, yield and quality aspects of mango cv. Banganapalli.