Poster Presentation International Plant Molecular Biology Conference 2024

Understanding the molecular signals regulating mango (Mangifera indica) fruit abscission as a basis to increase fruit retention (#220)

Sophie Jones 1 2 , Ryan Orr 3 , Gerhard Rossouw 3 , Harley Smith 4 , Christine Beveridge 1 2 , Lindsay Shaw 1 2 5
  1. School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
  2. ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
  3. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mareeba, Queensland, Australia
  4. CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Waite Campus, South Australia, Australia
  5. Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia

Premature fruit abscission is a complex physiological process that involves the coordination of various metabolic and signalling pathways, including phytohormones, carbohydrates, and cell-wall modifying signals. While there is compelling evidence on the involvement of phytohormones and carbohydrates in early fruit abscission in tree crops, their mode of action and interactions with each other to regulate this process remain ambiguous in mango (Mangifera indica). This research aims to improve understanding of the abscission process in mango and evaluate the influence of commercially available plant growth regulators (PGRs) on reducing premature fruit abscission. Three seasons of field trials have been conducted in North Queensland, Australia to explore the effect of these PGRs on endogenous signalling and fruit retention in mango. Selected PGR treatments increased the yield (kg of fruit per tree) and number of fruits retained through to maturity over multiple seasons. Changes in the levels of carbohydrates, phytohormones, and related gene expression in different tissues (leaves, fruit, and pedicel) following treatment are being investigated to determine the influence of PGR treatments on molecular signals associated with abscission. Results from this research will help inform the development of refined management strategies to mitigate fruit drop in mango production systems.