Biochemical changes in seed and mesocarp of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. ‘Alphonso’ and their significance during the development of spongy tissue

Abstract

Biochemical studies were conducted on both seed and mesocarp tissue of ‘Alphonso’ mango during fruit development and the fruit ripening stages to examine the possible role of seed in inducing the formation of spongy tissue. Fruits were analysed for selected key enzymes of carbohydrate, fat and respiratory metabolism, and related biochemical constituents. Invariably, the incidence of spongy tissue was associated with an increase in amylase and lipase activities in the seed, and a concomitant reduction in mesocarp tissue. Exogenously applied gibberellic acid (GA3) induced the formation of spongy tissue with enhanced amylase activity, while paclobutrazol (PBZ) reduced the incidence of spongy tissue, with a reduction in amylase activity in the seed. The results clearly indicated that the shift of seed into germination mode provided a trigger for the formation of spongy tissue in the mesocarp.