Selection of Some Mango Seedlings Grown in Assiut

Abstract

Several problems make mango cultivation unce11ain i.e., i1Tegular bearing behavior constitutes a major obstacle in mango production, malfonnation disorder which affects both vegetative and reproductive organs and heavy fruit drop leading to low retention of fi-uit. All these problems cause serious losses to the growers. Seedling trees of mango resulted hom sexual propagation in Sahel Saleem and Assiut regions where growers used to grow mango are the main target of the present study, as the sources of superior genetic materials for higher tree growth, yield and fruit characteristics. Such selected seedling trees would be used as certified mother trees for productive cultivars to be distributed in Assiut and South of the Valley.

The objectives of this dissertation were as follows:

I - Selection and evaluation of some superior variants among mango seedling trees. Such selection was based on tree performance and yield. Evaluation included:

a) Freedom fi•om malfonnation disease. b) Regular productivity and bearing. c) High bisexual sex ratio.

d) High . fi-uit quality particularly time of ripening and colouring suitable for export.

2 - DNA fingerprints of superior selected variants.

3 - Evaluation of production of improved mango seedling with appropriate vigour to be used as rootstocks.