Causes of Root Cutting in Mango and the Latest Treatment Methods
Many growers only know how to prune mango trees, such as growing-season pruning, spring pruning or winter pruning, but in fact, for non-fruiting plants, root cutting can also be carried out. Root cutting can help mango trees grow and develop better and help increase yield. Below, let us take a look together at the causes and methods of root cutting in mango.
1. Causes of root cutting in mango
When a mango tree does not bear fruit and its vigor declines, it generally starts with the root system. Root pruning and renewal have the same meaning as pruning the aboveground parts. Root cutting is pruning the plant's root system, and it is the same as heading back on the tree. After root cutting, a large number of new roots will grow from the wound. One root will become multiple roots, and old roots will also become new roots. The number of roots increases, so the plant's ability to absorb nutrients will naturally be strengthened. The mango root system is graded. The original old roots will develop into conducting roots, whose main function is to transport nutrients, while the roots newly born after root cutting are called growing roots. Growing roots are the mother roots for absorption and will continuously produce absorbing roots. The lifespan of absorbing roots is relatively short. Only if growing roots continuously produce absorbing roots will the plant not suffer from insufficient nutrients.
2. Purpose of root cutting
Mango is a deep-rooted crop with a well-developed taproot and relatively few lateral roots. Root cutting is often used as one of the methods to control the vegetative growth of branches and shoots. After root cutting, it is beneficial to fruit development. The purpose of root cutting is to reduce the root system's absorption of water and nutrients and promote root growth.
3. Root cutting methods
In winter, in combination with deep plowing and soil improvement, dig a ring ditch about 60 cm deep and 30 cm wide along the vertical line of the tree canopy, cut off the thick roots in the lower layer, expose them to the sun for 5-6 days, then apply decomposed organic fertilizer and cover with topsoil. At the same time, in combination with the whole process, cultivate 20 cm to cut off the absorbing roots in the topsoil, weaken the root system's transport of water and nutrients, increase the concentration of sap in the tree, help the accumulation of nutrients in the aboveground parts, and promote flower bud differentiation. After root cutting in mango, apply an appropriate amount of fertilizer and loosen the soil, which is beneficial to the development of horizontal roots, but do not inject too much water, so that the root system can accumulate more nutrients.
The above is an introduction to the causes and methods of root cutting in mango. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.