Effects of paclobutrazol and KNO3 over flowering and fruit quality in two cultivars of mango Manila

Different doses of Paclobutrazol (PBZ) combined with KNO, were evaluated in order to determine their effect on flowering andfiruit quality on two mango clones. The experiment was carried out at the INIFAP's Cotaxtla gxperimental Station in Veracruz, Mexico. A 14-year old orchard of Manila Cotaxtla I and Manila Cotaxtla 2 clones planted in 8x8m plots without irrigation was used. The experimental design was of random blocks in split plots. The eight treatments applied were: a) 0.0, bi 0.5, c) 1.0, d) 1.5, e) 2.Og a.i. PBZ per meter of canopy diameter all combined with the application of 2% KNO, f) 4% KN03 without PBZ, g) 1.5g. a.i. PBZ, without KN03, and h) control with neither product added. 'PBZ was applied on the soil and KNO, in two applications on the foliage. The variables considered were number of panicles, fruit weight, fruit weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and firmness. PBZ and KNO, application induced a larger number of advanced panicles in relation to the control, with higher values observed as PBZ dose increased. However in total flowering there was no significant difference between treatments (p<0.05). PBZ did not have negative effects in the quality of fruit of neither cultivar The treatments with, higher doses of PBZ had higher content of TSS, less TA, less firmness and greater weight loss. Both cultivars were different in TA of the ripe fruits.