MSc

The study entitled "Performance studies in selected varieties and hybrids of
mango (Mangifera indica L.)" was conducted at the College of Horticulture,
Vellanikkara utilising the trees in the germplasm collection attached to the
Department of Pomology and Floriculture. The objective of the experiment was to
gather basic information about the morphological and biochemical aspects of
flushing, flowering and fruiting in five varieties namely Alphonso, Prior, Muvandan,
Neelum and Kalapady and two hybrids Ratna and H-151 under the humid tropical
conditions of Kerala. The study was conducted under three heads, namely, growth
characters, flowering characters and fruit set and development.
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Flushing pattern in the varieties revealed that Alphonso;. Prior, H-151 and
Ratna exhibited single extended flushing for a period of two to three months
whereas Neelum, Kalapady and Muvandan showed two distinct flushing. About 90
per cent of the shoot growth in terms of length and leaf number occurred during the
first week. The cessation in shoot growth took place by fourth week. Varieties
exhibited wide variation in the physical and morphological characters ofleaf. ---"
Flowering occurred during the month of December - January in all the
varieties, except in Neelum, in which flowering was during April - May. The
maximum hermaphrodite flowers ~ere noted in Alphonso (44.39%) and least in
Muvandan (15.77%). Inflorescence characters such as length, breadth, shape, colour
etc. were recorded. In all the varieties the first 15 days was found to be crucial
during which fruit drop to the tune 0 r 90 per cent occurred. Retention 0 I fruits varied
from 10.07 per cent in Alphonso to 20.34 per cent in H-151.
Morphological, physical and biochemical characters of fruits from set to fruit
ripening was recorded. Changes in length, breadth, circumference, weight, volume,
specific gravity, acidity, sugar, TSS, ascorbic acid and chlorophyll content were
noted. Maximum increment in length occurred between 30 and 45 days after
flowering in most of the varieties. Even though other varieties were having the

maximum fruit weight and volume up to 60 days after flowering Ratna was the
topper towards the final stages of development.
Acidity was high in the initial stages of development and later on a decrease
was noted towards ripening. Alphonso had the maximum acidity and Prior had the
least. Ascorbic acid content was low in the initial stages, gradually a rise was .
noticed and towards ripening it exhibited a drop. H-151 had the maximum ascorbic
acid content and Prior had the least content. Sugar content was found to increase
towards ripening. Total chlorophyll content exhibited a progressive increase till 60
DAFS followed by a decrease.
Alphonso, Prior, Muvandan and Neelum took 90 days to reach full maturity
whereas Ratna and H-151 took 105 days. The time taken from full maturity to
ripening ranged from four to six days in all the varieties. Ratna had superiority in
TSS, reducing and total sugars and pulp content, followed by H-151. Prior had the.
maximum yield followed by Ratna. The overall acceptability was also high for the
variety Prior, followed by Ratna.