Abstract

Worldwide, Mexico represents the first exporter of mango. However, in recent years mango exports have decreased by 29 points due to a change in the preference of the American market; hence, it is essential to diversify the supply of mangoes exports. Measurement of the net photosynthesis response and internal CO2 concentrations can provide data on important parameters of the physiology of a variety; these have been widely used in ecophysiological studies and allow the early evaluation of germplasm. The objective of the study is to do a physiological evaluation of 8 mango varieties (Nam Doc Mai, Rosigold, Mallika, Ivory, Alphonse, Neelum, Fairchild and Kesar) recently introduced to Mexico and 2 recently registered by INIFAP (Ataúlfo “Diamante” and Ataúlfo “Zafiro”), all with export potential. The work was carried out under 2 conditions (laboratory and greenhouse). For the photosynthesis registry, nursery plants approximately 18 months old were used (net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration and evapotranspiration, SPAD units and nutrients (NO3-, K+, Ca2+ y Na+). In both conditions (laboratory and nursery), it was found that the cultivars with the highest levels of the physiological variables, photosynthesis, concentration of chlorophyll and nutrients in the leaf were Fairchild, Mallika and Kesar. The cultivars such as Rosygold and Nam Doc Mai and Ivory, in contrast, those with the lowest levels were Ataulfo Zafiro, Ataulfo Diamante, Alphonse and Neelum. The evapotranspiration (Evap), net photosynthesis (PN) and concentration of Intercellular CO2 (Cint) kinetics were used to describe that all the cultivars presented a similar behavior and evidenced differences in the intensity of the same.

Key words: Mangifera indica L., chlorophyll, photosynthesis, nutrients.