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Increasing the planting density of mango orchards appears promising for obtaining higher yields, particularly during the first productive years. However, the challenge is to maintain a good balance between vegetative growth and fruit production in the longer term. The objective of this study was to decipher the effects of planting density, training system and cultivar on young mango trees' growth and production. The experiment, conducted in North Queensland, consisted of five combinations of planting density and training system applied to the cultivars Keitt, Calypso and NMBP-1243. The planting densities were low (208 tree ha−1), medium (416 tree ha−1) and high (1250 tree ha−1). The closed vase conventional training system was applied at each density. Single leader and espalier on trellis training systems were applied at medium and high densities, respectively. The tree canopy dimensions were measured every 6 months from planting, and tree production was recorded from the third to the fifth years after planting. Vegetative growth and fruit production were the results of complex interactions between planting density, training system, cultivar and/or time. The expected increase in orchard yield with higher planting density was observed from the first productive year, despite lower individual tree production at high planting density. Lower vegetative growth and fruit production at high planting density were probably caused by competition between trees. NMBP-1243 and Keitt showed more rapid vegetative growth. Keitt was the most productive cultivar during the first three productive years. The detailed results of this study provide avenues to further explore the behaviour of mango trees at high planting densities.

Reproductive development of fruiting trees, including mango (Mangifera indica L.), is limited by non-structural carbohydrates. Competition for sugars increases with cropping, and consequently, vegetative growth and replenishment of starch reserves may reduce with high yields, resulting in interannual production variability. While the effect of crop load on photosynthesis and the distribution of starch within the mango tree has been studied, the contribution of starch and sugars to different phases of reproductive development requires attention. This review focuses on mango and examines the roles of non-structural carbohydrates in fruiting trees to clarify the repercussions of crop load on reproductive development. Starch buffers the plant’s carbon availability to regulate supply with demand, while sugars provide a direct resource for carbon translocation. Sugar signalling and interactions with phytohormones play a crucial role in flowering, fruit set, growth, ripening and retention, as well as regulating starch, sugar and secondary metabolites in fruit. The balance between the leaf and fruit biomass affects the availability and contributions of starch and sugars to fruiting. Crop load impacts photosynthesis and interactions between sources and sinks. As a result, the onset and rate of reproductive processes are affected, with repercussions for fruit size, composition, and the inter-annual bearing pattern.

Mango is a vigorous evergreen subtropical tree that is traditionally grown at a low planting density. The tree’s naturally vigorous dense canopy requires excessive pruning to maintain tree size and allow sunlight into the canopy. Excessive pruning is expensive and often reduces flowering and productivity. Improving economic production of mango through higher density planting of smaller trees has been studied for 9 years in a field experiment with four combinations of planting densities and tree training systems: low and high density untrained multi leader (conventional) (LDC, HDC respectively), medium density single leader (MDSL), and high-density espalier (HDE), each in combination with three varieties − ‘Calypso’, ‘Keitt’ and ‘NMBP–1243’. At the branch level, light transmission in each training systems was studied by partitioning branches into four quadrants from trunk to canopy edge. In each quadrant the number of leaves, terminal panicles, the number and weight of fruit and light transmission monitored over 2 years. In the HDE and MDSL trees, light transmission in the inner canopy was significantly higher than in HDC and LDC trees, and the number of terminal flowers and fruit were also higher. HDE trees had a greater number of leaves in the inner canopy. In both years, MDSL trees had significantly higher mean light transmission than all other treatments at each time of day. No significant difference was found in fruit weight at the measured branch level. © 2023 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved.

Mango flowering is interannually variable and temperature dependent. Flowering intensity declines with increasing pre-flowering temperatures associated with global warming, potentially limiting yields. Additionally, floral density that does not contribute to greater yield represents an unnecessary drain on plant resources such as nutrients, water, and carbohydrates. This can lead to reduced fruit bearing capacity in later stages of cropping or contribute to interannual yield variation. The objective of this work was to identify the floral density compensation point (FDCP), above which additional flowering becomes redundant, and below which surplus carbohydrates are partitioned to existing flowers, fruit, vegetative growth, or stored. Over two growing seasons, the number of inflorescences on 32 Calypso® mango trees in Dimbulah, Australia were thinned by up to 95%, resulting in floral densities between 0.09 and 4.14 inflorescences per trunk cross sectional area (cm2). Fruit yield, number, composition, vegetative growth, and starch concentration in terminal growth units were measured for each of the trees. Calypso® mango trees have excess floral density, beyond the maximum fruit biomass the tree can support to harvest. Below the FDCP, the tree is unable to compensate for low numbers of inflorescences, and floral density was strongly positively correlated with fruit number and yield, and strongly negatively correlated with fruit per panicle and total soluble solids concentration of ripe fruit. Above the FDCP fruit yield, number and total soluble solids concentration were only weakly related to floral density as they appear limited by carbohydrate availability rather than flowering. Fruit weight, vegetative regrowth of fruiting and non-fruiting terminals, and the starch concentration in terminal growth units were less dependent upon the FDCP and changed continuously across the floral densities evaluated. This information will be valuable for managing mango flowering unde

Mango productivity and fruit quality in Australia can be improved through transforming low-density plantings to high-density plantings and intensive training systems. Several planting density and training systems were established in Australia to investigate optimizing light interception and distribution, yield and fruit quality, and to reduce tree vigor and biennial bearing through the manipulation of canopy architecture. In this research, we studied light relations and yield in conventional low-density commercial orchards of different ages and investigated light relations and yield of ‘National Mango Breeding Program NMBP1243’, ‘Keitt’ and ‘Calypso’ grafted to ‘Kensington Pride (KP)’ rootstock in a replicated experiment. Trees were trained to five planting systems: high-density espalier and conventional, medium-density single leader and conventional, and low-density conventional. Our study in commercial orchards showed that maximum yield was ~16,000 kg/ha when light interception reached ~49% and declined at higher levels of light interception. In the high-density intensive training systems, we found that light interception increased with canopy volume, with high-density espalier training systems intercepting more available light compared to medium-density training systems and low-density conventional trees. Yield/ha increased to ~50,000 kg/ha in espalier training systems when light interception was ~40%. Light interception, canopy volume and yield/ha varied between varieties.

Colletotrichum species are one of the most common causes of postharvest fruit rot in mango in Australia, particularly in the tropical region of north Queensland, and can result in significant losses if not managed. The research aims were to identify sources of anthracnose tolerance and to determine if host material other than fruit could improve or fast track the screening process and result in improved breeding efficiency. Access to the Australian National Mango Genebank (ANMG) collection enabled fruit screening of more than 100 Mangifera indica cultivars or Mangifera species for tolerance to anthracnose by artificial inoculation with Colletotrichum asianum over a period of 14 years. Mean lesion diameters were compared with those on a known susceptible M. indica cultivar Kensington Pride (KP) and a tolerant M. laurina cultivar Lombok. Inoculation of leaf discs and entire leaves was evaluated in the laboratory and the field as alternative assays for tolerance to anthracnose and was assessed by presence/absence of disease. Screening of fruit has shown that anthracnose tolerance within the mango germplasm is highly variable and needs to be assessed over multiple years. None of the alternative laboratory bioassays provided consistent or reliable data. The in-field artificial inoculation of immature leaf flush was successful but was not deemed suitable for adoption due to practical restraints. While resistance to anthracnose in fruit has not yet been identified, some cultivars and Mangifera spp. showed promise for inclusion as parents in future breeding programs.

Genomic selection is a promising breeding technique for tree crops to accelerate the development of new cultivars. However, factors such as genetic structure can create spurious associations between genotype and phenotype due to the shared history between populations with different trait values. Genetic structure can therefore reduce the accuracy of the genotype to phenotype map, a fundamental requirement of genomic selection models. Here, we employed 272 single nucleotide polymorphisms from 208 Mangifera indica accessions to explore whether the genetic structure of the Australian mango gene pool explained variation in trunk circumference, fruit blush colour and intensity. Multiple population genetic analyses indicate the presence of four genetic clusters and show that the most genetically differentiated cluster contains accessions imported from Southeast Asia (mainly those from Thailand). We find that genetic structure was strongly associated with three traits: trunk circumference, fruit blush colour and intensity in M. indica. This suggests that the history of these accessions could drive spurious associations between loci and key mango phenotypes in the Australian mango gene pool. Incorporating such genetic structure in associations between genotype and phenotype can improve the accuracy of genomic selection, which can assist the future development of new cultivars. © 2022, The Author(s).

An intensification experiment in Far North Queensland, Australia, has shown that planting Mango (Mangifera indica) orchards at high density (>1250 trees ha-1) can increase orchard productivity early in an orchard’s development. Despite this, there is little information available on the best training systems (TS) to apply in high density orchards. The aim of this research was to review three different TS (palmette, cordon and espalier systems on trellis), planted at high density (1,250 trees ha-1) to understand how TS influences canopy characteristics and yield of three different mango cultivars (‘Keitt’,’Calypso’ and ‘National Mango Breeding Program (NMBP) accession 1243’ and ‘4069’) between 2 and 5 years of age. Light interception, canopy characteristics (volume and canopy dimensions), vegetative terminals and flowering rate, tree productivity, orchard yield, and yield efficiency were compared. HD TS were compared to low-density (LD) (208 trees ha-1) and high-density (HD) (1,250 trees ha-1) trees trained using a conventional, closed vase TS of a similar age. While the alternate TS at high density led to taller and thinner canopies by 5 year-of-age, they were also characterized by lower individual tree productivity. Despite this, the increased tree density led to an increased light interception and improved orchard yields compared to the conventional LD orchards of the same age. There were also some interactions between cultivar and the alternate TS. Future research should aim to understand the mechanisms behind these results better. © 2022 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved.

In Australia, commercial tree size management in mango orchards involves annual machine hedging and heavy hand pruning. In tropical growing regions, heavy pruning often stimulates strong vegetative regrowth that is less likely to flower due to insufficient terminal growth-unit dormancy required for flowering. A few mango rootstocks have been shown to reduce scion vigour and maintain regular, high yields; however, there is a lack of rigorous field-testing of these and other rootstocks under Australian scions growing in Queensland. Apart from some scion vigour control, the effects of mango rootstocks on scion architecture have not been studied in Australia and reports in the international literature are scarce. In this study, 90 genetically diverse rootstocks have been evaluated for their ability to reduce vigour in two Australian mango scion varieties from the National Mango Breeding Program (NMBP); ‘NMBP-1243’ and ‘NMBP-4069’. Tree height, canopy volume and shape, rootstock and scion trunk cross-sectional area were measured in young trees 30 months after planting to evaluate tree growth and vigour. Branch angle, length and diameter, number of growth units, number of leaves, and leaf size were also measured to characterize scion architecture. Ten rootstocks were identified as reducing vigour while maintaining the percentage of flowering terminals per canopy volume. Four rootstocks were also found to influence scion architecture by altering secondary branch angles to be closer to horizontal, potentially making them more suited to single-leader training used in high-density orchards systems. Canopy architecture parameters measured in this study suggest that rootstocks may be a useful technique for reducing tree vigour and altering the architecture of mango scion canopies to make them more suited to intensive orchard systems. © 2022 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved.

Mango, Mangifera indica L., an important tropical fruit crop, is grown for its sweet and aromatic fruits. Past improvement of this species has predominantly relied on chance seedlings derived from over 1000 cultivars in the Indian sub-continent with a large variation for fruit size, yield, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, and fruit quality among other traits. Historically, mango has been an orphan crop with very limited molecular information. Only recently have molecular and genomics-based analyses enabled the creation of linkage maps, transcriptomes, and diversity analysis of large collections. Additionally, the combined analysis of genomic and phenotypic information is poised to improve mango breeding efficiency.

A key strategy to improve fruit quality and consumer appeal in mangoes is to breed trait improvements into new cultivars. There are several key fruit quality traits in mango. Knowledge of the heritability and relationship among these traits is important for breeding success. This paper implements a linear mixed model analysis including paternal information for analysis of 13 important fruit quality traits from mango cultivars planted across three environments and assessed over several seasons. The traits analysed were average fruit weight, skin background colour, blush colour, percentage blush, blush intensity, skin thickness, beak shape, stem-end shape, deformities, mesocarp colour, mesocarp texture, seed width and mesocarp recovery. The analysis allows investigation into trait heritabilities and stability of traits over years and sites, as well as genetic correlations among traits.

Background Mango, Mangifera indica L., an important tropical fruit crop, is grown for its sweet and aromatic fruits. Past improvement of this species has predominantly relied on chance seedlings derived from over 1000 cultivars in the Indian sub-continent with a large variation for fruit size, yield, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, and fruit quality among other traits. Historically, mango has been an orphan crop with very limited molecular information. Only recently have molecular and genomics-based analyses enabled the creation of linkage maps, transcriptomes, and diversity analysis of large collections. Additionally, the combined analysis of genomic and phenotypic information is poised to improve mango breeding efficiency. Results This study sequenced, de novo assembled, analyzed, and annotated the genome of the monoembryonic mango cultivar ‘Tommy Atkins’. The draft genome sequence was generated using NRGene de-novo Magic on high molecular weight DNA of ‘Tommy Atkins’, supplemented by 10X Genomics long read sequencing to improve the initial assembly. A hybrid population between ‘Tommy Atkins’ x ‘Kensington Pride’ was used to generate phased haplotype chromosomes and a highly resolved phased SNP map. The final ‘Tommy Atkins’ genome assembly was a consensus sequence that included 20 pseudomolecules representing the 20 chromosomes of mango and included ~ 86% of the ~ 439 Mb haploid mango genome. Skim sequencing identified ~ 3.3 M SNPs using the ‘Tommy Atkins’ x ‘Kensington Pride’ mapping population. Repeat masking identified 26,616 genes with a median length of 3348 bp. A whole genome duplication analysis revealed an ancestral 65 MYA polyploidization event shared with Anacardium occidentale. Two regions, one on LG4 and one on LG7 containing 28 candidate genes, were associated with the commercially important fruit size characteristic in the mapping population. Conclusions The availability of the complete ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango genome will aid global initiatives to

Mangoes are grown in over 100 countries throughout the tropical and subtropical world with a total production of over 42×106 t of fruit sold in both local and export markets. In tropical regions, mangos are typically large, vigorous, low yielding trees with very low production and harvest efficiencies. In Queensland, Australia, a collaborative research project between the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the University of Queensland and Hort Innovation Australia has been developing high density, intensive production orchard systems in tropical and subtropical tree fruits. The project is investigating and documenting the relationships between the key drivers of productivity orchards. In mango, the aim of this research is to radically redesign orchard systems, increasing their production efficiency and profitability. Experimental intensification using higher planting densities and single leader training of canopies has led to early gains in productivity (~47 t ha‑1 in year 4). This paper outlines some of the key relationships that are underpinning these early productivity gains in areas such as tree architecture and canopy volume, canopy training, canopy light interception and light distribution.

The effect of preharvest applications of nitrogen (N) fertiliser to mango trees during the late fruit maturation stage was investigated over 3 years (2012-2014) to determine the effects on canopy growth in 8 year-old 'Kensington Pride' (KP) mango trees grown in Queensland. The experiment consisted of six treatments where 156 g N tree-1 was applied as a single treatment, as 340 g of urea or split between three different times. The N treatments were 1) 100% of N 2 weeks postharvest (control), 2) 50% of N 2 weeks preharvest, plus 50% 2 weeks postharvest, 3) 65% 2 weeks preharvest, plus 35% 2 weeks postharvest, 4) 35% 4 weeks preharvest plus 65% 2 weeks postharvest, and 5) 65% 4 weeks preharvest, plus 35% 2 weeks postharvest. Vegetative growth was investigated at the branch, sub-branch (shoots), growth unit (GU) and leaf scales. Branches from different aspects (north, south, east and west), in the upper and lower canopy were assessed, and for 2 branch types (apical or lateral) was considered. Fruit counts were also considered at the branch level. Results showed that when 50-65% of the N was applied 2 and 4 weeks before harvest with the balance 2 weeks postharvest, the number of branches, branch length and fruit count increased. When 35% N was applied 4 weeks preharvest with the balance 2 weeks postharvest, only stem biomass was increased. Generally, branches in the upper canopy had longer sub-branches, longer and thicker, first level growth units, shorter leaf petioles and shorter and thinner leaves compared to those in the lower canopy. The SPAD N index was lowest in the northern canopy aspect. Differences were also observed between lateral and apical branches. Lateral branches had longer leaves than apical branches while apical branches had a trend for higher leaf area, stem biomass and leaf counts. There were also negative relationships between fruit count and measurements for stem biomass, leaf count and leaf area for apical branches however for lateral branches the

The amount of light intercepted by a tree and its distribution within the canopy is critical in optimizing tree photosynthesis efficiency, carbon partitioning and productivity. Here we compare light relations in experimental high-density mango orchard systems with current commercial orchards. A baseline study of current commercial mango orchards showed a maximum light interception of approximately 67% was reached in trees aged between 26-31 years old, with canopy volume of approximately 15,187 m3/ha. Light interception did not significantly increase beyond 67% regardless of increase in canopy volume per hectare or the increase in orchard age. In these conventional orchards, maximum yields were reached approximately 16 t/ha when light interception was around 49% and as light interception increased above 49%, yields declined. In the high density orchard systems, light interception increased with canopy volume, with high density systems intercepting more available light than medium and low density orchard systems. In 5 year old high-density, espalier trained trees with approximately 5000 m3/ha canopy volume, yields reached close to 50 t/ha at 40% light interception. Trees trained as single leader or espalier had more evenly distributed light in the inner canopy compared to conventionally closed vase trained trees. in current commercial orchards, increasing the canopy volume and light interception above the maximums noted above had no benefit to increase economic returns whereas in high density mango orchards with alternate tree training, yields increases more than four times early in the orchards development. Further productivity gains are likely as the experimental high density have yet to fill their allocated space in the orchard.

Australian mango orchards, particularly of the 'Kensington Pride' cultivar, are often characterized by low yields and irregular bearing. Improved nutrition management techniques which increase total soil carbon sequestration and reduce nitrogen losses (nitrous oxide) may improve productivity and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A factorial trial was established in a 'Kensington Pride' mango orchard at Mareeba, Australia to assess the benefits of applying organic hay mulch to tree rows in combination with three nitrogen fertiliser treatments including two controlled-release fertiliser products. Three years after the initiation of treatments it was found that mango tree growth and fruit productivity was significantly improved when mulching was used to increase soil organic matter. Mulched soils had improved soil water holding capacity, less temperature variability, increased root biomass in the top soil, greater canopy leaf area and higher plant tissue potassium levels. Average fruit weights were increased by 10% and mango fruit yields per tree increased by 11%. Fruit quality was not affected when standard fungicide management treatments were used, although disease levels were higher with no post-harvest fungicide treatment. The nitrogen fertiliser products investigated did not have a significant influence on mango growth or final productivity. Trial results suggest that the adoption of mulching practices in mango orchards is a management practice which can increase orchard productivity and the sequestration of soil organic carbon, without detrimental effects on fruit quality.

The project, ‘Integrated crop management practices to enhance value chain outcomes for the mango industry in Pakistan and Australia’ (HORT/1201/006) is the second phase of the mango production component of the Australia/Pakistan Agriculture Sector Linkage Program (ASLP). The project that ran from 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2015 and followed the ASLP Phase 1 project ‘Development of integrated crop management practices to increase sustainable yield and quality of mangoes in Pakistan and Australia’ (HORT/2005/135). The overall aim of the project was to enhance the profitability of small landholder mango growers in Pakistan by sustainably improving their yields and fruit quality through improved orchard production, pest and disease management. This was achieved by the coordinated engagement of over 30 researchers from 10 research and extension institutions with guidance from Australian researchers who worked with 41 smallholder mango grower clusters in villages across Punjab and Sindh to address several key issues in mango production that were having significant impact on the livelihood systems of the rural poor in Pakistan

Part of a project to transform subtropical/tropical tree productivity in Queensland is a study of light relations in mango (Mangifera indica) orchards in Far North Queensland. A study of the baseline relationship between light interception, canopy volume and yield in ‘Kensington Pride’ trees found that as canopy volume increased, light interception reached a maximum between 61 and 68%. The relationship between light interception and tree yield (t ha-1) varied over two years highlighting the biennial bearing habit of mango. An associated ongoing study is looking at the effects on light interception, canopy volume and yield for three mango cultivars, resulting from various planting density and tree training systems. The planting systems being studied include three planting densities: low density (208 trees ha-1, 8×6 m), medium density (450 tree ha-1, 6×4 m) and high density (1250 trees ha-1, 4×2 m) and two training systems (conventional and single leader) in three commercial mango cultivars (‘Keitt, CalypsoTM’ and ‘NMBP 1243’). The first year’s results have indicated that density and cultivar had significant effects on light interception in 1.5-year-old trees. ‘Keitt’ canopies had higher light interception than ‘CalypsoTM’ or ‘NMBP1243’, while high density plantings intercepted significantly more light. Training system also increased light interception from 1.38% in the low-density conventional planting to 9.5% in the single leader, high-density planting although this increase was not significant. There were also significant positive relationships between light interception and canopy volume (m3 ha-1). When both experiments are considered the results suggest the total light interception in 1.5-year-old, high-density trees (9.2%) was similar to the total light interception of 4-year-old trees (11.0%) in the baseline study. These results highlight the benefits of high density plantings in increasing total orchard light interception earlier than in conventional low-densi

Vigour reduction in many tree crops is an essential element of highly productive, high density systems that is often achieved through rootstocks. Mangoes are large vigorous tropical trees that are traditionally grown at low density as suitable vigour reducing technologies are not commercially available. The aim of this work was to identify rootstock cultivars for mango that reduced scion vigour while maintaining or boosting yields. Ninety rootstocks are being evaluated for their ability to reduce vigour in two Australian mango scion cultivars from the National Mango Breeding Program (NMBP); ‘NMBP-1243’ and ‘NMBP-4069’. The evaluated rootstocks were sourced from a wide genetic range within Mangifera indica and related Mangifera spp. from the Australian National Mango Gene Bank and the Australian Mango Breeding Program. Rootstock-scion combinations were field planted at Walkamin, Queensland, Australia over three years, from May 2014 in randomised incomplete blocks. Tree height, canopy depth, canopy length (along the row), canopy width (across the row), rootstock trunk diameter (10 cm above the ground and 10 cm below the graft point) and scion diameter (10 cm above the graft) were measured every six months as indicators of tree growth and vigour. This is a report on the progress of 29 rootstocks from the May 2014 planting. There was a significant (p<0.05) effect of rootstock on tree height, canopy size and trunk diameter at 24 months. Seven rootstocks were consistently among the 13 lowest vigour trees for tree height, canopy length, canopy width and scion/rootstock trunk diameters, when ranked from lowest to highest vigour. These rootstocks show promise for high-density mango orchard systems. Evaluation is ongoing and will evaluate effect of rootstock on scion flowering and cropping.

This project has identified a relationship between foliar δ13C and foliar δ18O suggesting that Avocado water use efficiency (WUE) (as indicated by foliar δ13C), grown in nursey conditions, varies with transpiration. This result has not been previously been identified in avocado in the literature and may be a useful to explore in avocado and other horticultural crops breeding programs in Australia.  We have also shown that management influences long-term water use efficiency where the avocado variety Shepard had very different foliar δ13C with the two different irrigation treatments (Sprinkler and drip irrigation). Although not conclusive, the foliar δ13C was higher under the sprinkler irrigation which was likely in response to increased growth or water stress at this site.  The relationship between foliar N, chlorophyll and the chlorophyll SPAD meter indicates that the N could be monitored with the SPAD meter in avocado orchards. This may be used to supplement dry matter analysis and help improve N use efficiency in North Queensland catchments draining into the Great Barrier Reef, increasing sustainable horticultural outcomes.  The relationship between foliar N and δ13C (less negative δ13C), indicates that the north facing canopy had a greater variation in N and WUE compared to the south facing and the shoot function site.  There was variation in nitrogen (N) within the canopies particularly when the shoot function and canopy sampling position samples were pooled, indicating a potential response in the canopy to N cycling at the different sites. This is suggested as a response to Nitrogen management at the different sites. Further work would be required to better understand the mechanisms behind this relationship.  Finally, the correlation between δ15N and δ13C at the pooled sites indicates how increasing foliar δ15N was related to increasing WUE (less negative δ13C), showing potentially how N availability across sampled orchards influences growth. Again furthe

Understanding how and why canopy structural growth imposes productivity limitations is critical to managing high yielding, regular bearing mango (Mangifera indica) orchards. This study aimed to see how vegetative and reproductive growth responds to canopy management including bending. To investigate the relationship between shoot architecture, flowering and fruiting we measured structural, functional and temporal patterns of branching and flowering at the tree, scaffold and growth unit levels. Mango architectural analysis found strong varietal effects on vegetative growth, while increasing tree density led to increasing flowering across the orchard area. Single leader medium density trees had a significantly higher mean flower count (m-3 canopy volume tree-1) compared to the conventional training systems, and there was no significant difference between the densities within the conventional system. Limb bending of a parent in the single leader training systems led to an increase in the length of children growth units (bent = 16.07 cm, unbent = 12.05 cm). This paper outlines briefly the techniques used to collect architecture data and summarises the first year of vegetative and reproductive growth in each of the management scenarios. © 2018 International Society for Horticultural Science. All Rights Reserved.

Future mango orchards systems will have canopies optimally designed for tree size, density, light and crop load relationships. Poor distribution of light within mango canopies is one of the reasons for current low orchard efficiency. Light (radiation), plays an important role in driving the photosynthesis, the developmental tree morphology, crop load and fruit quality. This study established a baseline for light transmission through the canopy (distribution) in four different ages of 'Kensington Pride' trees in Queensland commercial mango orchards. Light distribution patterns were established by measuring photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (µmol m-2 s-1) distribution in three dimensional matrix inside the canopy, at seven equally separated transects across the canopy from north to south and 4 sectors (west, middle-west, middle-east and east) on each transect at 5 heights above the ground. Mean light transmission within the canopy increased with tree age and canopy volume, and was related to pruning and training method. Highest light transmission was recorded 73.91 µmol m-2 s-1 at 75% of tree height. Light transmission was 60.90 µmol m-2 s-1 at 50% tree height, 58.23 µmol m-2 s-1 at 25% tree height and 62.81 µmol m-2 s-1 on the ground. In the horizontal plains, light distribution was lower in the middle parts of the canopy compared to the edges. There was a significant (p<0.05) relationship between light transmission and tree height, indicating large variation in light distribution within the canopy, with many leaves in shade where photosynthesis efficiency may be low. Some of the outer canopy may be receiving too much light and possible photo-inhibition as indicted by sun burn on leaves and fruit. This baseline understanding of light distribution will assist research in to improved light distribution in mango canopies and in the development of high density mango orchard systems.Future mango orchards systems will have canopies optimally designed for tree size