Calcium fertilization strategy on mango physiological characteristics and yield

Abstract

Calcium (Ca) is a nutrient responsible for maintaining plant quality and fruit yield. The production of new Ca sources, such as micronized (CaM) and complexed Ca (CaC), and their supplementation provide a better yield in mango cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the efect of Ca sources (micronized and complexed with Ascophyllum nodosum) and application methods on mango cultivation, in semi-arid Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in a 6 × 6 factorial scheme. The Ca supplementation strategies (control; 1 L ha−1 of CaM; 2 L ha−1 of CaM; 2 L ha−1 of CaC with A. nodosum extract; 2 L ha−1 of CaC with A. nodosum extract + application of 2.5 L ha−1 via CaC fertigation; and 2.5 L ha−1 via CaC fertigation) were evaluated on six dates regarding nutritional aspects. For biochemical and production aspects, the six supplementation strategies with Ca were evaluated. The Ca concentration in leaves and fruits signifcantly afected the interaction among the factors. The fertilization strategy with 2.5 L ha−1 of complexed calcium via fertigation was fundamental to provide increases in the nitrogen and Ca concentration of the fruits from 65 days after full fowering, and had positive efects on fruiting and production of mangoes cv. Kent.