Plant regulators on the growth, quality and production of ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango fruits

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cytokinin (BAP) and gibberellin (GA3) applications on the growth, physicochemical characteristics and production of ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango fruits. Mango plants were sprayed with five concentrations (0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 mg.L-1) of BAP and GA3 and BAP + GA3 (0, 75 + 75, 150 + 150, 225 + 225 and 300 + 300 mg.L-1) at 15, 30 and 45 days after anthesis (DAA), single applications of GA3 occurred at 60, 70 and 80 DAA. Fruits were evaluated weekly from 52 DAA for weight, diameter and length until harvest and characterized for soluble solids content and acidity. A higher peak of fruit growth occurred between 66 and 73 DAA. Application of 150 + 150 mg.L-1 (BAP + GA3) promoted at the end of the evaluation period higher fruit weight compared to the other treatments and the control. No significant differences were observed in fruit production, but also concentrations of 150 + 150 mg.L-1 BAP + GA3 led to more than 50% of fruits in the marketing standard type 8. Exogenous application of 150 + 150 mg.L-1 (BAP + GA3) at 15, 30 and 45 DAA increased the weight, diameter, length, acidity and the percentage of fruits type 8 of ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango, but it did not increase yield.