Induction of flowering and fruiting in unproductive ‘Chausa’ mango orchards in Himachal Pradesh

Despite of the healthy vegetative status of the trees, ‘Chausa’ mango orchards were being reported unfruitful after 10 to 15 years of bearing in the low hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh. A twenty two year old unproductive Chausa mango orchard was selected and plants were treated with different growth influencing practices and chemicals for induction of flowering and fruiting. Pre-bloom paclobutrazol (PBZ), cycocel and ethrel sprays induced flowering but did not affect fruiting significantly. PBZ and cycocel treatments followed by boric acid spray at fruit set succeeded in inducing fruiting and produced fruitful results. Ethrel spray was found effective when it was followed by NAA spray at the time of fruit set.