ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate reduction strategies of irrigation for proper management of floral induction and production of 'Tommy Atkins' mangoes, in the semiarid region of the Bahia state, Brazil. Five treatments with reduced irrigation levels based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc) were applied in two development stages, FI - flowering and FII – fruiting. Water depths were T1 - 0% of ETc in FI and 100% in FII; T2 - 25% of ETc in FI and 100% in FII; T3 - 50% of ETc in FI and 100% in FII; T4 - 75% of ETc in FI and 100% in FII; and T5 - 100% of ETc in FI and FII. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with six replications. Photosynthesis and transpiration rates in phases FI and FII were larger at 8 am than at 2 pm, regardless of the strategies used. These strategies lead to smaller values of photosynthesis, transpiration and leaf water potential within flowering stage. Productive characteristics were not affected by irrigation level reduction for flower induction process, only for the cycles evaluated. Strategies with 0% of ETc in FI and 100% in FII or 25% of ETc in FI and 100% in FII are appropriate to flower induction in 'Tommy Atkins' mango.
Mangifera; controlled water deficit; irrigation strategies
T1 (0% of ETc without irrigation in Phase I and 100% in Phase II), T2 (25% of ETc in FI and 100% in FII), T3 (50% of ETc in FI and 100% in FII), T4 (75% of ETc in FI and 100% in FII) and T5 (100% of ETc in FI and FII). Means followed by the same capital letter or no letter in the group do not differ by the Tukey test at 5% probability.