Effects of Paclobutrazol on vegetative development and blooming start in two mango cultivars (Mangifera indica L.) in Jaguey Grande conditions

No records are available in Cuba concerning the application of Paclobutrazol on mango crop. In fact, its use is not currently included in the management technologies for this fruit tree. As a result, the effect of this chemical was studied in commercial plantations close to their production period under Jaguey Grande conditions. Observations were carried out on 80 shoots in 4 four years old trees of Tommy Atkins and Kent cultivars grafted on "Manga amarilla" rootstock. Plants were treated with Paclobutrazol (PBZ) to soil, and without it, by using 1g of active ingredient per linear meter of canopy according to a Random Blocks design with five replica per treatment. Results showed that in both cultivars the shoots growth was reduced as from the second growth flow. Reductions were 65,9% in Tommy Atkins and 75,7% in Kent. In general, in both studied cultivars the treated plants showed significative differences with regards to shoot length when compared to those not treated, and a slight early blooming was present, thus evidencing the alternative of using Placlobutrazol for high density mango plantations in order to decrease the shoot size and move forward the blooming start.