'Tommy Atkins' mango yield and photosynthesis under water deficit in semiarid region of Bahia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the 'Tommy Atkins' mango yield and photosynthesis in regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) in semiarid conditions of Bahia, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block with five treatments and six replications: T1, irrigation supplying 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc) in phases: I (beginning of flowering to early fruit growth), II (start of expansion until early physiological maturity) and phase III (physiologically mature fruits); T2, RDI with 50% ETc in phase I; T3, RDI with 50% ETc in phase II; T4, RDI with 50% ETc in phase III; T5, No irrigation. The soil water deficit causes a reduction in photosynthesis. Mango yield in treatment 4 was approximately 5.5 and 2 times greater than in treatments 5 and 2, respectively. The use of RDI with 50% water depth reduction applied in the third phase of 'Tommy Atkins' mango fruit development was efficient. The use of RDI with 50% ETc in the third phase of fruit development provided the best yield of 'Tommy Atkins' mango for the 350 g weight class.