Biostimulants on Nutritional Status and Fruit Production of Mango ‘Kent’ in the Brazilian Semiarid Region

Abstract

Adequate nutritional status is fundamental for the fruiting process of mango trees (Mangifera indica L.). In this context, plant biostimulants are substances that promote physiological and nutritional changes, benefiting production. The present study evaluated the effect of biostimulants on the nutritional status and fruit production of ‘Kent’ mango trees. The experiment was carried out in the Brazilian semiarid region over 2 consecutive years, 2016 and 2017. Leaf treatments with biostimulants were applied in three phases (preflowering, beginning of flowering, and full flowering) during both seasons. The treatments were as follows: T1) control (without biostimulants); T2) biostimulants containing nutrients and L-α-amino acids; T3) biostimulants containing nutrients and Lithothamnium algae extract; T4) biostimulants containing nutrients and sucrose; and T5) biostimulants containing nutrients, free amino acids, and Lithothamnium algae extract. The results show that there was no effect of the biostimulants for chlorophyll a, b, and total indices or for total leaf soluble carbohydrates. Some of the treatments affected the leaf concentrations of N, K, Mn, Fe, and Zn, whereas only T2 in 2016 and T5 in 2017 increased the number of fruits per panicle if compared with nontreated plants. In 2016, the production per tree was higher in T5 compared with the other treatments, whereas it was greater in 2017 in both T2 and T5 with increases of 37.4 and 23.1 kg per tree, respectively, compared with the control treatment. Biostimulants containing soluble nutrients, L-α-amino acids, free amino acids, and Lithothamnium algae extract benefit the nutritional status and increase the fruit production of mango ‘Kent’.