FURTHER-STUDIES ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEAF NUMBER AND AREA AND FRUIT-DEVELOPMENT IN MANGO (MANGIFERA-INDICA L)

In both biennial and regular bearing mango cultivars there was a progressive reduction in fruit size with decreasing numbers of supporting leaves. In regular bearing varieties more than 50 leaves are needed for normal fruit growth, if fruit growth depends upon current photoassimilates. Both regular and biennial bearing varieties utilize reserve photosynthates in addition to current photosynthates for normal fruit development. A large quantity of carbohydrate depletion during "on" years is one of the factors responsible for biennial or alternate bearing in mango.