Page 30 - FRUTAS DEL TRÓPICO

30 Frutas del trópico

Conclusion
Induction of flowering in the subtropics is primarily governed by chilling temperatures from

passing cold fronts during winter-spring months. The age of the previous flush modifies the

cool-temperature-induced floral response, with older stems exhibiting a higher probability of

a floral response and younger stems displaying a higher probability of a vegetative response.

In the tropics, however, the age of the last flush is the dominant factor regulating flowe-

ring. Stems must be in rest for sufficient time, generally about 5 to 6 months to be induced to

flower in the absence of chilling temperatures or water stress. This extended rest period oc-

curs naturally as trees increase in stature, but it can also be achieved by mild plant water stress

or low nitrogen fertility. Moderately cool temperatures that often reach deep into tropical dry
and high elevation locations provide additional stimulus to flower in stems of a given age.

Armed with the basic information provided here, growers can manage mango flowering

to occur at any desired week of the year. Local environmental conditions may alter the expec-

ted responses, but scrutiny of all of the factors should bring consistent success.

Literature Cited

Boyer, J.S. 1985. Water transport. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 36:473-516.

Canny, M.J. 1995. Apoplastic water and solute movement: new rules for an old space. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol.
46:215-236.
Davenport, T.L. 1990. Citrus flowering. Hort. Rev. 12:349-408.
Davenport, T.L. 1994. Potential problems with use of uniconazole on mango (Mangifera indica). PGRSA Quarterly 22:143-153.

Davenport, T.L. 2000. Processes influencing floral initiation and bloom: the role of phytohormones in a conceptual flowering
model. Hort Technology 10:733-739.
Davenport, T.L., 2002. Leaves Not Necessary for Citrus Floral Induction. Proc. Intern. Soc. Citriculture Congress 2000.
Davenport, T.L. 2003. Management of Flowering in Three Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree Species. HortScience 38:1331-

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Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas