ISSN: 0975-8585

Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical

Sciences
Determination of Time Period of Fruit-Bud-Differentiation and the Associated
Histological and Biochemical Changes in Mango Hybrids
Palanichamy V* NN Reddy, S Babu, Emmanuel Selvaraj, Aranganathan and Bhaskar Mitra
SBST, VIT, Vellore, Tamilnadu and CRIDA, Hyderabad.

ABSTRACT
The present study was carried to find out the time period of fruit bud differentiation of mango hybrids
namely Amatrapali, Mallika and Pusa Arunima and the associated morphological and biochemical changes during
last week of September to the last week of December for the 2003-04 and 2004-05 under Delhi condition. The
th
fruit-bud-initiation process was started from 15 October in all the hybrids. The initiation and differentiation of
th
th
progressively increased from 15 October to 15 November maximum number of fruit buds differentiated. The
th
differentiation continued and the buds reached their advance stage of differentiation by 15 December. Four
stages of fruit bud could distinctly be identified in the process of fruit-bud-differentiation. The first stage was
represented by the emergence of broad conical protuberances in the axis of scales of fruit bud. In the second
th
stage, the buds became plump by 15 November; histotlogically the main axis of fruit bud protruded conically and
came out from the scales. Histologically, the main axis elongated and became multi-lobed due to development of
primary branches of flower panicle. In third stage, the main axis further elongated. Whereas, the primary and
secondary branches showed lobing. In fourth stage, the scales started loosening, which indicted the bud break.
Further elongation of the axis and the loosening of scales made the bud enter into the bud break stage which was
the most advance stage of fruit-bud-differentiation. The vegetative bud showed hardly any difference between the
different stages of development. While studying the biochemical factors associated with fruit-bud-differentiation it
was found that the total sugars, total phenols have been found increasing during the process of fruit-buddifferentiation in all the hybrids during the study period. The total carbohydrates, total nitrogen and the ratio of
total carbohydrates to total nitrogen have been found decreasing during fruit-bud-differentiation.
Key words: Fruit bud differentiation, Fruit bud, stages of fruit bud, mango hybrids, Vegetative bud

*Corresponding author
Email: [email protected]

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INTRODUCTION
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most popular fruit in India. It is considered to be
the choicest fruit among all the fruits grown in India. The knowledge of the time period of fruitbud-differentiation under a particular set of climatic conditions for a given variety would enable
the orchardist to schedule the manuring, irrigation and other cultural operations to have better
yield. The time period of fruit-bud-differentiation is a crucial event in the growth and
development of mango, as it reveals the proper partitioning of metabolites between the
vegetative (source) and reproductive organs (sink) which is governed by the growth hormones.
The time of fruit-bud-differentiation in mango is known to be governed by local weather
conditions, which varies from place to place and to some extend varies with varieties grown
under the same climatic conditions. The newly developed hybrids/varieties provide excellent
material for the study of fruit-bud-differentiation as the time period of fruit bid differentiation
is not established for these newly developed hybrids. Present study was carried to find out the
time period of fruit bud differentiation of mango hybrids under Delhi condition and the
associated histological and biochemical changes during the time period of fruit bud
differentiation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present investigations were carried out at the experimental orchard of the Division of
Fruits and Horticultural Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during
2003-04 and 2004-05. Matured healthy trees present in the orchard were chosen for the
present experiment. All the mango trees were uniformly fertilized and received other
recommended cultural practices.
Time period of fruit bud differentiation
Plant materials
For the determination of time period of fruit bud differentiation, three hybrids namely
Amarapali, Mallika and Pusa Arunima were selected .Five trees were selected from each hybrid
and from each hybrid plant 15 shoots were tagged in the month of August. From these each
tagged shoots 12 buds were selected randomly for the bud dissection study.
Bud sampling and slide preparation for bud dissection study
The buds and/or shoots sampling and dissection methods were slightly modified from
the procedure reported by Mustard and Lynch [1]. The bud samples were collected from two to
three month-old-healthy-shoot with the help of secateur without injuring the buds and / or
shoots during August (last week) to December (last week), for two years (2003 to 2005). These
collected buds and / or shoots were killed and preserved in the Formalin Aceto Alcohol (FAA)
and the preserved buds were subjected microtome cutting to get thin bud sections. Permanent
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slides were prepared using this thin bud section mounted on Canada balsam. The permanent
slides were observed under microscope (10X) for the categorization of buds and also the stages
of bud development also observed. From this data, percentage of fruit, vegetative and
undifferentiated
buds
was
calculated
by
dividing
the
number
of
fruit/vegetative/undifferentiated buds by the total number of buds x 100. The percentage of
fruit, vegetative and undifferentiated buds was used to find out the time of fruit-buddifferentiation of all the three hybrids. The data on fruit-bud-differentiation analyzed statically
in Factorial CRD and the mean values were tabulated. Bud sections were also observed under
microscope for the identification of different developmental stages of fruit and vegetative bud.
Changes in biochemical factors during the time period of fruit bud differentiation
Sampling procedure
For the biochemical studies, three trees from three hybrids were labeled randomly.
From these tagged trees the five centimeter apical shoot sample with terminal leaves and buds
were collected at fortnight interval from 8 A.M. to 10 A.M. A composite sample consisting of 12
shoots was collected and immediately brought to the laboratory. After cleaning, the shoot
samples were chopped separately for stems and leaf portions. Thirty gram of the above
samples containing equal portion of stem and leaves were weighed and stored in the deep
freeze for subsequent extraction to estimate the biochemical parameters.
Estimation of soluble carbohydrate fractions
The alcohol free extract of fresh shoot sample was passed through ion exchange (Dowex50) resin column (H+) by the method followed by Rao et al [2] and the effluent was used for the
estimation of soluble carbohydrate fraction. The total sugars in this fraction were estimated
A.O.A.C [3]
Estimation of insoluble carbohydrate fraction and the total carbohydrate
The residue obtained after alcoholic extraction of shoot sample, was dried and a known
amount of it was hydrolyzed for three hours with an ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The
hydrolyzed fraction of carbohydrate was estimated as reducing sugars. The amount of starch
was computed by multiplying the value of this fraction by 0.9 factor.
Estimation of total nitrogen
Dried and powdered shoot samples (0.5 gm each) were taken to estimate the total
nitrogen by micro-kjeldahal method. The evolved ammonia was absorbed into boric and it was
titrated with standard sulphuric acid by using a mixed indicator of bromo-cresol green and
methyl red Jackson [4]

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Estimation of total carbohydrate and C: N ratio
The amount of total sugars and the insoluble carbohydrates were taken as the amount
of total carbohydrate on dry weight basis. The C: N ratio was calculated as the ratio of total
carbohydrate to total nitrogen content of the samples by dividing total carbohydrate with total
nitrogen.
Changes in phenol content during the period of fruit-bud-differentiation
The buds and / or shoots samples (approx. 0.5 g) was homogenized in a pestle and
mortar by adding ten ml of 80 percent ethanol. Then, it was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20
minutes. The supernatant was filtered using Whatman No. 42 filter paper. The residue was reextracted (five times) with 80% ethanol and the supernatant collected was evaporated to
dryness. The residue was dissolved in five ml water, from which about 0.2 ml was taken. The
total fresh Folin-ciocalteau reagent (0.5 ml) was added. After three minutes, two ml of Na2CO3
solution was added, mixed thoroughly and placed in hot water bath (58C) exactly for one
minute. Then, it was cooled to room temperature and the absorbance (650 nm) was measured
against blank (catechol) Mallik and Singh [5]. The contents were expressed as mg per gramme
fresh weight.
Statistical analysis
The experiments were laid out in factorial completely randomized design with five
replications and the data (2003-2004 and 2004-2005) were analyzed
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Time period of fruit-bud-differentiation
Experiments were started from 30th August and continued to 30th December during the
study period. From the Table 1 it can be assumed that the process of initiation of the fruit buds
started from 15th October and the period from 15th November to the end of November may
be considered as critical period for fruit-bud-differentiation under Delhi conditions. The
advanced stage of fruit-bud-differentiation, which was observed in mid December, may be
considered as the end of the fruit-bud-differentiation process. The period from 15th October to
the 15th December may be considered as the total period of fruit-bud-differentiation for all the
three hybrids namely, Amrapali, Pusa Arunima and Mallika during study period. From Table 2, it
is clear that the percentage of fruit buds obtained were maximum during this critical period of
fruit bud differentiation for all the three hybrids. The above mentioned period is certainly very
much crucial under north Indian conditions, which may differ by a month or two depending on
the variety. The fruit-bud-differentiation starts 5 to 6 months before the actual flowering for
which one season old shoots differentiates. Several workers have reported the fruit-buddifferentiation to occur from October to December Sen and Mallick [6]; Singh [7]; Sen et al [8]
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and Mussahib-ud-din[9]. However, the period of fruit-bud-differentiation was observed from
August to the end of October by Khan [10]. Keeping these findings in mind, the bud and / or
shoot.
Morphological and histological changes of bud
There were four developmental stages of dissected fruit bud were observed under
microscope during the experimentation period There were no differentiated fruit buds from the
end of August to the end of September during the study period in all the hybrids. The
undifferentiated buds were green, partially covered by dried scales with brownish tips as per
the morphological appearance during the above period. Furthermore, undifferentiated buds
were inactive plate 1 (Fig 1) Prior to fruit-bud-differentiation, the main axis in the fruit bud
elongated slightly and rounded off assuming a dome shape appearance accompanied by
broadening scales. Whereas, the main axis became conical shaped in vegetative bud
The origin of broad axial protuberances represented the fruit bud initiation, which is
marked with high meristematic activity. It may be considered as the first stage of fruit-buddifferentiation plate 2 (Fig 2). In the second stage of fruit-bud-differentiation, the main axis
elongated and became multi-lobed due to development of primary branches of flower panicle
plate 3 (Fig 3) In third stage, main axis elongated, primary and secondary branches showed
lobbing, which was necessary to form flower cluster plate 4 (Fig 4). Further elongation and
loosening of scales made the bud to enter the bud burst stage, which was the most advance
stage of fruit-bud-differentiation and was considered as fourth developmental stage of fruit
bud plate 5 (Fig 5).Ravishanker et al[11] also observed these four developmental stages of fruitbud-differentiation in mango in Karnataka.
Histologically, the vegetative bud showed hardly and difference between the different
stages of its development in comparison to the fruit bud. However, the main axis was slightly
elongated in a fruit bud prior to fruit-bud-differentiation. The fruit bud rounded off and
assumed a dome shape, which was accompanied by broadening scales. Whereas, the main axis
had conical shape prior to the vegetative-bud-differentiation. At latter stage the main axis got
elongated and thickened. Furthermore, the old scales at the basal end were separated and
dried up. More whirls of young and active scales surrounded the growing apex of the vegetative
bud plate 6 (Fig 6) Similar developmental pattern of vegetative-bud-differentiation was
observed by Singh [12] at Saharanpur.
Biochemical changes
The biochemical changes in respect of carbohydrate fractions, total nitrogen and phenols
were studied from the last week of August to the last week of December during the study
period.

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Changes in the level of total sugars
Data on the total sugars during the study period is presented in Table 3. As far as the
mean values are concerned, the maximum total sugars (7.36 mg/g on fresh weight basis) were
recorded on 30th December and the minimum total sugars (5.43 mg/g on fresh weight basis)
were found on 15th September. The total sugar contents varied from 5.20 to 7.90 mg/g on
fresh weight basis. It was quite interesting to note that the average of total sugar content
gradually increased from 15th September to 30th December during the study period (Table3) It
was also observed that the average of the total sugar contents gradually increased that the
average of the total sugar contents gradually increased from 15th September to 30th
December. The change in the level of total sugar contents might be due to the increasing levels
of the reducing sugars and conversion of insoluble fractions of carbohydrates into soluble
fractions during fruit-bud-differentiation. It is obvious that the bio-chemical changes in the
tissues lead to the production of soluble form of carbohydrates, which are required for the
meristematic activities. Flowering has been reported to be regulated by carbohydrates:
nitrogen ratio with high levels being conductive for flowering Kraus and Kraybill [13].
Changes in the level of insoluble carbohydrate fractions
No consistent trend was noticed in the levels of insoluble carbohydrate fractions and it
differed from hybrid to hybrid during the study period. The maximum Insoluble carbohydrate
fractions (46.2 mg/g on fresh weight basis) were recorded on 30 September, and the minimum
insoluble carbohydrate fractions (30.1 mg/g on fresh weight basis) were available on 15th
December in Amrapali. However, the maximum insoluble carbohydrate fraction (50.5 mg/g on
fresh weight basis) were found on 15th October, and the minimum insoluble carbohydrate
fraction (29.3 mg/g on fresh weight basis) were found on 15th December in Pusa Arunima.
Contrary to this, Mallika had the maximum insoluble carbohydrate fractions (52.6 mg/g on
fresh weight basis) on 30th August itself the date of first sampling. The variations among the
hybrids might be due to their different genetic constituents having different parents and their
combinations. It was further observed that the insoluble carbohydrates gradually decreased
from 15th October to 15th December during the study period, which might be due to the
conversion of insoluble carbohydrates into soluble carbohydrates particularly for the
production of reducing sugars. The minimum carbohydrate fractions (32.6 mg/g on fresh weight
basis) were recorded on 15th December like other two hybrids Table 4. It was further observed
that the mean values of insoluble carbohydrate fractions gradually declined from 15th October
to 15th December during both the years.
Changes in the level of total carbohydrates
The total carbohydrate contents of the shoot and / or bud varied considerably during
the total period of experimentation during both the years (Table 5). The maximum total
carbohydrates (51.4 mg/g on fresh weight basis) were recorded on 30th September, in
Amrapali. Whereas, the total carbohydrates were the maximum (56.0 mg/g on fresh weight
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basis) on 15th October in Pusa Arunima. Furthermore, the total carbohydrate contents were
the maximum (58.5 mg/g on fresh weight basis) at the start of experiments i.e. 30th August, in
Mallika (Table 5). The total carbohydrate contents were found decreasing from 15th October to
15th December in Pusa Arunima and Mallika. Whereas, the decline in the total carbohydrate
contents was observed from the end of September to the mid December in Amrapali during the
study period. (Table 5)
The total carbohydrates contents of the shoot and / or bud varied considerably during
the total period of experimentation. The total carbohydrates contents were found decreasing
from 15th October to 15th December in Pusa Arunima and Mallika. Whereas, the decline in the
total carbohydrates contents was observed from the end of September to mid December in
Amrapali. However, the total carbohydrates started decreasing from 15th October to 15th
December as per their mean values. After it, there was considerable increase in total
carbohydrates, which almost increased equal to the contents of total carbohydrates available
on the first date of sampling. Therefore, it seems that the fruit-bud-differentiation process has
been completed by 15th December in all the hybrids during the study period. Unfortunately, no
reference could be traced out to agree or disagree with the above findings, which were
inconsistent by themselves in the present study too.
Changes in the level of total nitrogen
The data of total nitrogen contents in shoot and / or bud in all the hybrids were
inconsistent. However, the maximum total nitrogen (2.50 mg/g on fresh weight basis) was
observed on 15th October during the study period and the minimum total nitrogen (1.89 mg/g
on fresh weight basis) was recorded on 30th December as per the mean values Table 6. It was
interesting to not that the highest values of total nitrogen (2.60, and 2.31 mg/g on fresh weight
basis) were recorded in Amrapali. Pusa Arunima and Mallika respectively on 15th October,
Table 6. However the minimum values were 1.90 and 1.88 mg/g on fresh weight basis on 15th
December.
The total nitrogen contents in shoot and / or bud in all the hybrids were marginally
inconsistent like total carbohydrates discussed in the foregoing paragraph. However, the
maximum total nitrogen was noted on 15th October and the minimum total nitrogen was
recorded on 30th December, according to their means. As expected, the nitrogen contents
reduced from the start of the experiment, which continued up to 30th December in all the
hybrids baring some minor differences between different dates of sampling. Chacko [14]
reported that the total nitrogen contents were higher in the stem and leaves of trees, which
were expected to initiate flower bud irrespective of the cultivars. Furthermore, nitrogen is
known to have more vegetative growth, if it crosses the critical limit required for fruit-buddifferentiation.

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Changes in the ratio of the total carbohydrates to the total nitrogen
The change in the ratio of the total carbohydrates to the total nitrogen in the shoot and
/ or bud varied significantly with in the hybrids. The mean value was the highest (27.6) on 30th
December, Table 7. The mean values started declining from 30th September and declining
trend continued up to 15th December. The highest ratio was recorded on 30th December in all
the three hybrids namely, Amrapali (29.0), Mallika (27.7) and Pusa Arunima (26.1). while, the
lowest ratio was observed in Amrapali (17.9) and Pusa Arunima (17.1) on 30th August while in
Mallika (20.4) on 15th December Table 7. It was interesting to note that the ratio started
reducing from 15th October and continued up to 15th December in both the years in all the
hybrids. After that it increased abruptly. The ratio of the total carbohydrates to the total
nitrogen in the shoot and/or bud varied significantly between the hybrids. The highest ratio was
recorded on 30th December in all the three hybrids. The declining trend was observed from
30th September to 15th December. It might be due to change of insoluble carbohydrates into
soluble carbohydrates and their subsequent utilization in energy production processes during
fruit-bud-differentiation. Furthermore, on 30th December the ratio had increased abruptly. It
might be due to the fact that by 15th December the process of fruit-bud-differentiation was
completed as stated above.
Changes in the level of the total phenols
It was quite interesting to note that the total phenol contents were the maximum on
15th December, in all the hybrids including the mean of sampling dates during the study period.
Whereas, the minimum phenol contents were found on 15th September, in all the hybrids
including the mean of sampling dates (Table 8). The phenol contents started increasing from
15th September to 15th December during experimentation. After that the values decreased
significantly in all the hybrids including the averages. Furthermore, the phenol levels were in
between 4.64 to 6.64 in Amrapali, 4.42 to 6.57 in Pusa Arunima and 5.47 to 7.83 mg/g on fresh
weight basis in Mallika.
The total phenol contents were the minimum on 15th September in all the hybrids, which
progressively increased up to 15th December during both the years in all the hybrids. It seems
that the process of phenol synthesis was accelerated much more before the process of fruitbud-differentiation. It might be due to the fact that the activity of polyphenol oxidase is more
during the fruit-bud-differentiation. Similar findings were reported by Patil et al [15]. They
estimated the total phenol and polyphenol oxidase activity in different types of fruit buds of
Alphonso during fruit-bud-differentiation and found that the phenolic contents of the fruit
buds increased steadily with the advancement of fruit bud- differentiation but remained stable
in undifferentiated buds

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Table 1.Number of differentiated fruit buds during the last week of August to the last week of December
(pooled)
Interval
August, 30

No. of bud
No. of differentiated fruit buds
Samples
Amrapali Pusa
Mallika Mean Arunima
60
0
0
0
0

September, 15

60

September, 30

60

October, 15

60

18.0

20.0

20.0

19.3

October, 30

60

36.0

40.0

40.0

36.7

November, 15

60

42.0

40.0

40.0

41.3

November, 30

60

42.0

40.0

42.0

41.4

December, 15

60

36.0

38.0

36.0

36.5

December, 30

60

36.0

36.0

34.0

35.3

Hybrid (H)
Interval (I)
HxI

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SEM
0.219
0.380
0.658

2012

CD at 5%
0.630
1.091
1.890

RJPBCS

CD at 1%
0.841
1.456
2.522

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Table 2. Percentage of differentiated fruit buds during the last week of August to the last week of December
(pooled)
Interval
August, 30

No. of bud
Samples
60

Percentage of differentiated fruit buds

Amrapali Pusa
Mallika Mean
Arunima
0
0
0
0

September, 15

60

September, 30

60

October, 15

60

30.0

33.3

33.3

32.2

October, 30

60

60.0

66.7

66.7

64.4

November, 15

60

70.0

66.7

66.7

67.8

November, 30

60

70.0

66.7

70.0

68.9

December, 15

60

60.0

63.0

60.0

61.1

December, 30

60

60.0

60.0

56.7

58.9

Hybrid (H)
Interval (I)
HxI

SEM
0.305
0.528
0.914

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CD at 5%
0.875
1.516
2.625

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CD at 1%
1.168
2.022
3.503

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Table 3. Changes in the level of total soluble sugars in the shoot and / or bud during the last week of August to
the last week of December (pooled)

Interval
August, 30

Total sugars
(mg/g fresh weight)
Amrapali
Pusa
Mallika
6.00
6.50

Mean
5.93

Arunima
6.14

September, 15
September, 30

5.20
5.20

6.00
6.00

5.09
5.19

5.43
5.46

October, 15

6.10

5.50

5.30

5.63

October, 30

6.40

5.75

5.43

5.86

November, 15

6.50

5.83

5.55

5.96

November, 30

6.54

5.87

5.63

6.03

December, 15

7.20

5.92

5.73

6.28

December, 30

7.90

7.15

7.02

7.36

Hybrid (H)
Interval (I)
HxI

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SEM
0.045
0.078
0.135

2012

CD at 5%
0.129
0.224
0.388

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CD at 1%
0.173
0.299
0.518

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Table 4.Changes in the level of insoluble carbohydrate fractions in the shoot and / or bud during the last week of
August to the last week of December (pooled)
Insoluble carbohydrates
Interval
(mg/g fresh weight)
Amrapali
Pusa
Mallika
Mean
Arunima
August, 30
39.2
37.1
52.6
43.0
September, 15

40.0

37.1

38.3

38.5

September, 30

46.2

45.6

45.1

45.7

October, 15

45.0

50.5

46.7

47.1

October, 30

44.2

48.2

42.2

44.9

November, 15

38.2

39.5

39.7

39.1

November, 30

34.5

33.3

35.8

34.5

December, 15

30.1

29.3

32.6

30.7

December, 30

43.0

45.6

46.2

44.9

Hybrid (H)
Interval (I)
HxI

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SEM
0.281
0.486
0.842

2012

CD at 5%
0.806
1.396
2.418

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CD at 1%
1.076
1.863
3.227

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Table 5 Changes in the level of total carbohydrates in the in the shoot and / or bud during the last week of
August to the last week of December. (pooled)

Interval
August, 30

Total carbohydrates
(mg/g fresh weight)
Amrapali
Pusa
Mallika
45.2
43.6

Mean
58.5

September, 15

45.2

43.1

September, 30

51.4

51.6

50.3

51.1

October, 15

50.6

56.0

52.0

52.9

October, 30

50.2

54.0

47.7

50.6

November, 15

43.7

45.4

45.2

44.8

November, 30

41.0

39.2

41.5

40.6

December, 15

37.3

35.2

38.3

36.9

December, 30

48.9

52.7

53.2

51.6

Hybrid (H)
Interval (I)
HxI

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SEM
0.343
0.593
1.028

2012

CD at 5%
0.984
1.704
2.951

RJPBCS

43.4

Arunima
49.1
43.9

CD at 1%
1.313
2.274
3.938

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Table 6. Changes in the level of total nitrogen in the shoot and / or bud during the last week of August to the last
week of December (pooled)

Interval
August, 30

Total nitrogen
(mg/g fresh weight)
Amrapali
Pusa
2.52
2.55

Mallika

Mean
2.12

September, 15

2.12

2.15

September, 30

2.52

2.11

2.30

2.31

October, 15

2.60

2.60

2.31

2.50

October, 30

2.45

2.54

2.23

2.38

November, 15

2.30

2.25

2.14

2.23

November, 30

2.15

2.11

2.00

2.08

December, 15

2.00

1.90

1.88

1.92

December, 30

1.72

2.02

1.92

1.89

Hybrid (H)
Interval (I)
HxI

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SEM
0.016
0.028
0.049

2012

CD at 5%
0.047
0.081
0.140

RJPBCS

1.85

Arunima
2.40
2.04

CD at 1%
0.062
0.108
0.187

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Table 7. Changes in the ratio of the total carbohydrates to the total nitrogen in the shoot and / or bud during the
last week of August to the last week of December (pooled)

Interval

August, 30

Ratio of the insoluble carbohydrates to

the total nitrogen
Amrapali
Pusa
Mallika
Mean
Arunima
17.9
17.1
27.6

20.9

September, 15

21.3

20.1

23.5

21.6

September, 30

20.4

24.5

21.9

22.2

October, 15

20.1

22.0

22.5

21.5

October, 30

19.5

20.5

22.3

20.7

November, 15

19.2

18.2

22.1

19.8

November, 30

19.1

17.7

20.7

19.2

December, 15

18.7

17.4

20.4

18.8

December, 30

29.0

26.1

27.7

27.6

Hybrid (H)
Interval (I)
HxI

April June

SEM
0.135
0.234
0.405

2012

CD at 5%
0.387
0.671
1.162

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CD at 1%
0.517
0.895
1.551

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Table 8 Changes in the level of phenols in the shoot and / or bud during the last week of August to the last week
of December (pooled)

Interval
August, 30

Phenols
(mg/g fresh weight)
Amrapali
Pusa
6.34
6.15

Mallika

Mean
7.33

Arunima
6.61

September, 15

4.64

4.42

5.47

4.84

September, 30

5.45

5.32

6.00

5.59

October, 15

6.00

5.98

6.11

60.3

October, 30

6.22

6.11

7.32

6.55

November, 15

6.32

6.30

7.43

6.68

November, 30

6.44

6.38

7.53

6.78

December, 15

6.64

6.57

7.83

7.03

December, 30

5.58

5.43

6.18

5.73

Hybrid (H)
Interval (I)
HxI

April June

SEM
0.046
0.080
0.138

2012

CD at 5%
0.132
0.229
0.396

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CD at 1%
0.176
0.305
0.529

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Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 1 Longitudinal section of undifferentiated bud.

Figure 2 Longitudinal section of bud in fruit bud initiation stage (Stage I)
Figure 3 Longitudinal section of bud in fruit bud differentiation stage (Stage II)
Figure 4 Longitudinal section of bud in fruit bud differentiation stage (Stage III)
Figure 5 Longitudinal section of bud in fruit bud differentiation stage (Stage IV)
Figure 6 Longitudinal section of differentiated vegetative bud.

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CONCLUSION
The morphological studies and histological changes pertaining to the fruit and
vegetative buds, time of fruit-bud-differentiation and the biochemical changes have been
monitored under Delhi conditions. Based on the microscopic observation of dissected buds the
following findings were made regarding the time period of fruit bud differentiation. Fruit bud
initiation process was started on 15th October and peak time of fruit bud differentiation was
observed between October to November and process completed by December 15th study
period. During this time period of fruit bud differentiation the buds were categorized into
undifferentiated, vegetative and fruit bud. Four developmental stages were observed for the
fruit bud but no such stages were observed for the vegetative bud. The total sugars, total
phenols have been found increasing during the process of fruit-bud-differentiation in all the
mango hybrids. Total carbohydrates, total nitrogen, ratio of total carbohydrates to total
nitrogen have been found decreasing during fruit-bud-differentiation period.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to acknowledge VIT University management for the facilities and
encouragement, partial funding from Indian Academy of sciences and National Academy of
sciences. This work was also supported by School of Bioscience and Technology, VIT University,
Tamil Nadu, India and IARI. We would also like to thank our guide for helping us with all the
chemicals. We would express our deep gratitude to Professor Anil Kumar Gopinathan for
offering space in the Laboratory. We would also thank Biochemical Society, UK for providing
financial support for this research work.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
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Mustard MJ and Lynch SJ. Bot Gaz 1946; 108: 136-40.

Rao MM, Pandey RM and Singh RN. Indian J Hort 1975; 33: 14-18.
A.O.A.C. 1970. Official Methods of Analysis. Association of Official Analytical
Chemists. 11th ed., Washington, D.C.
Jackson ML. Orissa J Hort 1958;1: 33-44.
Mallik PC and Singh MB. 1980. In: part Enzymol. Histoenzymology. Kalyani
Publishers, New Delhi. 286 p.
Sen PC and Mallik PC. Indian J Agric Sci 1941; 11: 74-81
Singh RN. Hort Adv 1959; 3: 28-49.
Sen PK, Singh SK and Guha D. Indian Agric 1963; 1: 187-88.
Mussahib-ud-din. Punjab Fruit J 1946;10: 30-31.
Khan AA. Punjab Fruit J 1960; 23: 151-58
Ravishankar H, Rao MM and KM Bojappa. Scientia Hort 1979;10(1): 95-99.
Singh RN. Hort Adv 1958; 5: 96-106.
Kraus EJ and Kraybill HR. Bull Oregon Agric Exp Stn 1918:149.
Chacko EK. 1968. Studies on the physiology of flowering and fruit growth in

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[15]

Mango (Mangifera indica L.). Ph.D. thesis submitted to P. G. School of IARI.

Patil PB, Rao MM. Sriniivasan CN, Basarkar PW and Nalwadi VG. Karnataka J Agric Sci
1992; 5(4): 338-42.

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