Effect of growth regulators, nutrients, seaweed extract and pruning on induction of early flowering in mango (Mangifera indica) cv. Kesar

The research work was carried out in two successive seasons from 2010 to 2012 on 16 years old mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees cv. Kesar in Gujarat under rainfed condition. For induction of early flowering, 13 treatments were given. The chemicals (4 and 6% KNO3, 4 and 6% CaNO3), growth regulator (100 and 200 ppm of 6-BA), seaweed extract (3 and 5 %) and soil application of paclobutrazol (5 and 7.5 g a.i. 1 tree) were used. The selected shoots of mango were pruned and sprayed with 2 % urea during last week of May. Application of 200 ppm 6-BA on postharvest vegetative flush and old shoots resulted profound effect on early panicle emergence with maximum (41.83 cm) length of panicle without cool inductive temperature for flower bud differentiation. The study revealed that 200 ppm 6-BA is effective in induction of early flowering in mango.