Alternate high-density training systems influence tree growth and yields in young intensive mango (Mangifera indica) orchards

An intensification experiment in Far North Queensland, Australia, has shown that planting Mango (Mangifera indica) orchards at high density (>1250 trees ha(-1)) can increase orchard productivity early in an orchard's development. Despite this, there is little information available on the best training systems (TS) to apply in high density orchards. The aim of this research was to review three different TS (palmette, cordon and espalier systems on trellis), planted at high density (1,250 trees ha(-1)) to understand how TS influences canopy characteristics and yield of three different mango cultivars ('Keitt', 'Calypso' and 'National Mango Breeding Program (NMBP) accession 1243' and '4069') between 2 and 5 years of age. Light interception, canopy characteristics (volume and canopy dimensions), vegetative terminals and flowering rate, tree productivity, orchard yield, and yield efficiency were compared. HD TS were compared to low-density (LD) (208 trees ha(-1)) and high-density (HD) (1,250 trees ha(-1)) trees trained using a conventional, closed vase TS of a similar age. While the alternate TS at high density led to taller and thinner canopies by 5 year-of-age, they were also characterized by lower individual tree productivity. Despite this, the increased tree density led to an increased light interception and improved orchard yields compared to the conventional LD orchards of the same age. There were also some interactions between cultivar and the alternate TS. Future research should aim to understand the mechanisms behind these results better.