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Introduction
The mango tree (Mangifera indica L.) is an Asian fruit
bearer, a member of the Anacardiaceae family, capable of
reaching a height of 100 feet, (30 meters). With an average
circumference of around fourteen feet, (4.25 meters) although
it can reach a width of around twenty feet (six meters) the
Mango rated as the largest fruit-tree in the world
Originally found in the wild in India, cultivated varieties of
the Mango tree have been introduced to other warm regions
of the world, and is currently being commercially cultivated
in East Asia, Africa and South America, particularly Brazil
as well as other warm regions of the world. It is the largest
fruit-tree in the world, capable of a height of one-hundred
feet and an average circumference of twelve to fourteen
feet, sometimes reaching a much as twenty.
The Mango tree has adapted particularly well to the Brazilian
climate, and the high quality tropical fruit that it produces
is very much in demand both for local consumption as well
as for export.
In recent years the Brazilian farming community have been
increasingly planting mango trees on the ‘Palmer’ cultivar, a
large, late-season mango cultivar that originated originally
in Southern Florida in the United States.
The ‘Palmer’ cultivar, an elongated semi-dwarf variety with
sZeet DOPost fibreOess DSricot coOored Áesh Dnd ODrger thDn
average fruit size, has become a major favorite among
Mango cultivators Palmer Mangos are easily recognized
by its brightly colored red-purple tinged skin, a combination
which brings with it in increased demand and excellent prices.
Like many trees grown in tropical regions of the World, the
Mango tree, with the Palmer variety being no exception, can
be susceptible to fungal pathogens, as well as a number of
insect and mammalian herbivores.
To counteract this problem, applying silicon to the tree’s
roots through irrigation has become a popular alternative
among growers, as a form of effective pest management.
This method has proven to be an environmentally friendly
and sustainable technology, with a decided potential to
decrease the frequency and use of insecticides.
Although Silicon (Si) is not, in itself, an essential plant
nutrient, the material is reportedly capable of increasing
the photosynthesis rate, as well as the upright appearance
and mechanical strength of plants, whilst reducing the tree’s
transpiration rate.
Previously held studies on the subject of silicon mechanism
have suggested that this chemical element is capable of
inducing plant defense mechanisms, as well as acting as a
ShysicDO bDrrier throXgh the siOicificDtion oI OeDI ceOOs
7o IXrther inYestigDte the Post eIficient Pethod oI introdXcing
siOicon to PDngo trees Ds ZeOO Ds eYDOXDting the inÁXence oI
different silicon quantities on ‘Palmer’ mango tree cultivation
a series of studies were recently carried out in Brazil.
Materials and methods
This study was carried out over a period of slightly more
than twelve months in a ‘Palmer’ mango orchard situated
in the municipality of Matias Cardoso, in the Minas Gerais
(MG) state of Brazil.
7he stXdy ZDs bDsed DroXnd tZenty fiYe PDnge trees SODnted
in a uniform spacing of six by eight meters. The trees were
all irrigated regularly through micro-sprinklers.
For the purposes of the study, a randomized block design
ZDs Xsed Zith fiYe treDtPents Dnd fiYe reSOicDtes eDch Zith
one plant per experimental unity.
The applied treatment levels were 0, 400, 800, 1600 and
3200 kilograms per hectare ha-1 of Agra-silicon (calcium
Influence of silicon fertilization
on pest control of mango trees
applying silicon to the tree’s roots
through irrigation has become a pular
alternative among growers, as a form
of effective pest management