Naturally occurring auxins and inhibitor and their role in fruit growth and drop of mango ‘Dashehari’

The pattern of fruit growth in mango ‘Dashehari’ (Mangifera indica L.) was sigmoid. Pollinated ovaries and young fruits dropped in two main waves: 0–14 days and 28–35 days. A third wave, a mild one, was continuous and irregular from 35 days after pollination to maturity of the fruit.One acidic and one non-acidic auxin and one acidic inhibitor were detected in the immature fruit. The increase in the levels of auxin corresponded with a period of rapid fruit growth, while high levels of inhibitor tended to correspond with a high rate of fruit drop from pollination to 42 days. The auxins appear to play a major role in the growth of the fruit, whereas the inhibitor appears to cause fruit drop.