| Abstract: |
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) has a great importance in the Egyptian fruit production; it comes in the third rank, after citrus and grapes. Egypt ranks 10th among mango producing countries with a total production of 232.000 m.ton (FAO, 2000).Unfortunately, mango trees suffer from colossal losses due to malformation (Singh, 2000). This disease has been observed on mango inflorescences since 1891 by Watt and also reported by Burn, (1910). Prasad et al., (1972) reported that mango malformation is a serious disease which has, so far, alluded a proper diagnosis of the causative agent. This disease disturbs the natural orientation of shoots and panicles and causes excessive and abnormal growth in them, thereby adversely affecting fruiting (Ram, 1991). The yearly economic losses resulting from mango malformation are from 5 to 30% (Summanwar, 1967). In Egypt, Ibrahim, (1977), Shawky and Dahshan, (1978), Azzouz et al., (1989) and Bastawros, (1997) cleared that mango malformation has become a limiting factor in mango production. It is estimated that mango malformation causes yearly losses in Egypt of at least 35 million LE. In India, Kumar and Chakrabarti, (1997) determined yield losses for Neelam, Langra, Himsagar and Gilas mango cvs. were: 36.2, 2.3, 15.and floral types. The present investigation is dealing with the floral type in which the panicles turn into a compact and hard mass of flowers.
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