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Ongoing project

Investigating the control of fruit drop in mango to support innovative solutions for Australian growers (MG21004)

Delivery Partner: The University of Queensland

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    What is it all about?

    This investment is improving understanding of the molecular pathways regulating fruit abscission in mango, particularly the relationship between activation of the abscission zone, hormonal changes, and carbohydrate reserves leading to early fruit drop. Increased knowledge of changes in molecular signals that occur during early, mid and/or late fruit drop will enable more targeted application of plant growth regulators.

    This project will validate the effect of plant growth regulators on fruit abscission and propose management strategies to minimise early fruit abscission. This information will support mango growers in making an informed selection in using plant growth regulators for fruit retention in Australian mango production systems.

    Project update: June 2023

    Early fruit drop remains a major limitation in the commercial production of mangoes. This project aims to improve understanding of the molecular pathways regulating fruit abscission in mango, particularly the relationship between activation of the abscission zone, hormonal changes and carbohydrate reserves leading to early fruit drop. Increased knowledge of changes in molecular signals that occur during early, mid and/or late fruit drop will enable more targeted application of Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs). This project will validate the effect of PGRs on fruit abscission and propose management strategies to minimise early fruit abscission. 
     
    During the last six months, the project team has conducted field trials with synthetic auxin, gibberellic acid and synthetic cytokinin, to assess potential effects of these phytohormones on fruit drop. The effect of these PGRs was assessed on final yield, fruit retention and fruit morphology. Samples were collected from the field trials for molecular analysis. The project team conducted bioinformatic analysis of the mango genome and identified sequences for genes potentially involved in phytohormone metabolism and signalling, abscission and sugar signalling. Second season field trials will soon commence across two locations on Calypso, R2E2 and Kensington Pride to improve understanding of phytohormone, gene expression and carbohydrate changes during fruit development and how this is associated with fruit abscission. This includes trials modifying carbohydrate availability.

    Project update: April 2023

    The research team have recruited a PhD student with experience in tree crop development, reviewed the literature to identify phytohormones with known effects on fruit retention, and conducted field trials with cytokinin, gibberellic acid (GA3) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) application to assess potential effects of these phytohormones on fruit drop.

    Details

    This project is a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Mango Fund

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    This project investigated how climate and orchard management practices can be used to support more reliable mango production. 

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