Table of Contents
Introduction
The mango, Mangifera indica L , belongs to the Anacardeacea family.
Mango tree is perennial, medium to large in size, with a symmetrical top.
Flowers of mango trees grow in panicles and are about ten to twelve inches in length.
The flower is hermaphroditic with male and female flowers in the same flower panicle.
There is a fleshy pulp inside the fruit and it varies in size. It has a leathery skin that varies in color, ranging from yellow to red. The fruit contains a large seed inside.
Depending on the size, the fruit weighs from 1/4 pound to 3 pounds (0.11-1.4 KG). Fruits vary in shape from round to ovate to obovate, depending on the variety.
As the fruit matures, the green skin gradually changes into various shades of yellow, orange, purple, and red.
Ripe mango has a distinctive fragrance and a smooth, thin, tough skin.
Juicy and sweet, the flesh is sometimes fibrous depending on the variety.
The genus Mangifera is indigenous to tropical Asia, and the largest number of species are found in Borneo, Java, and Sumatra and Malay Peninsula.
M. indica (mango), the most cultivated species of Mangifera, originated in India and Myanmar.
Throughout the tropical and subtropical world, mango cultivation is done for fruit production, as a garden tree, and as shade trees.
Climate requirement for mango farming
Tropical and subtropical climates are ideal for mango cultivation.
The plant can grow from sea level up to an altitude of 1400 meters.
Optimal temperature for mango cultivation is between 24 and 27 degrees C. However, when irrigated regularly, it can tolerate temperatures up to 48C during fruit development, which improves fruit size, quality, and maturity.
Flower buds differentiate best at low temperatures (13 to 19 degrees C).
Rainfall between 25 cm and 250 cm is sufficient for mango farming.
Soil requirement for mango farming
Mango farming can be done in most type of soils with good drainage and depth. However, black cotton soil is not advisable for mango farming.
The ideal soil pH range is 5.5 to 7.0. A saline environment is not suitable for mango farming.
Varieties/cultivators of mango for farming in various parts of the world
Bangladesh: Ashini, Fazli, Himsagar, Khirshapat, Langra, Lokhon-bhog, Raj-bhog
Brazil: Coquinho, Haden, Manga Espada, Manga Rosa, Palmer, Tommy Atkins
Cambodia: Cambodiana
Cameroon: Améliorée du Cameroun
China: Baiyu, Guixiang, Huangpi, Huangyu, Macheco, Sannian, Yuexi
Costa Rica: Haden, Irwin, Keitt, Mora, Tommy Atkins
Ecuador: Ambassador, Alfonso, Ataulfo, Criollos, Haden, Julie, Keitt, Kent, Reina, Tommy Atkins
Egypt: Alfonso, Hindi, Hindi Besennara, Beid El Agl, Oweisi, Fuss Oweis, Taymoor, Zebdiah
Guatemala: Haden, Kent, Tommy Atkins
Haiti: Francine (Madame Francis), Muscas, Labiche, Baptiste, Rosalie, Poirier, Corne, Fil
Honduras: Haden, Kent, Lancetilla, Tommy Atkins
India: Alphonso, Amrapali, Badami, Bangalora, Banganapalli, Bombay, Bombay Green, Chausa, Dusehri, Gaddamar, Ottu Mangai, Mulgoba, Langra Benarsi, Badshahpasand, Surkha, Totapuri, Fajli, HusanNara, Cheruku Rasalu, Chinna Rasalu, Pedda Rasalu, Roomani, Fajri Kalan, Fernandian, Gulabkhas, Himayath, Himsagar, Imam Pasand, Jehangir, Kalami, Kesar, Kishen Bhog, Komanga, Lalbaug, Langra, Maldah, Malgis, Mallika, Mankur (GOA), Mankurad, Moovandan, Nattuma, Neelum, Pairi, Priyor, Rajapuri, Raspuri, Ratna, Safeda, Sammar Bahisht, Suvarnarekha, Totapuri, Vanraj, Zardalu, Alampur Baneshan, Puliyan, Kuttiyattor, Ela Manga, Nannari.
Indonesia: Arumanis/Harumanis, Gadung/Gedong, Manalagi, Cengkir/Indramayu, Gajah, Bapang, Lalijiwo, Kueni, Golek, Kemiri, Boled, Bengkulu, Situbondo,Kelapa, Alor, Selaputih,
Israel: Haden, Keitt, Kent, Maya, Nimrod, Palmer, Tommy Atkins
Italy: Kensington Pride, Glenn, Tommy Atkins, Keitt, Maya, Van Dyke, Osteen, Kent
Kenya: Batwi, Boubo, Ngowe
Malaysia: Apple Mango, Apple Rumani, Arumanis, Golek, Kuala Selangor, Malgoa, Maha-65, Tok Boon
Mali: Amelie, Kent
Mexico: Ataulfo, Haden, Irwin, Kent, Manila, Palmer, Sensation, Tommy Atkins, Van Dyke, Petakon, Oro, Criollo, Niño.
Myanmar: Aug Din, Ma Chit Su, Sein Ta Lone, Shwe Hin Tha
Pakistan: Chausa, Dusehri, Langra, Desi, Anwar Rataul, Sindhri, Fajri, Saroli, BaganPali, Alphonso, Muhammad Wole, Neelum
Peru: Criollos, Haden, Keitt, Kent, Tommy Atkins
Philippines: Apple Mango, Carabao or Kinalabaw, Indian, Piko, Paho, Pahohutan
Reunion Island : Carotte, Jose, Lucie, Auguste
Singapore: Apple Mango, Arumanis, Golek, Kaem Yao, Mangga Dadol
South Africa: Fascell, Haden, Keitt, Kent, Sensation, Tommy Atkins, Zill
Sudan: Alfonso, Bez el-Anza, Oweisi, Taymoor
Sri Lanka: Dampara, Hingurakgoda, Karutha Colomban, Malwanaamba, Parrot Mango, and Peterpasand, Petti amba, Rata amba, Vellai Colomban, Willard
Tanzania: Boribo Muyini, Dodo, Mawazo, Sindano
Taiwan: JinHwang, Red JinHwang, Tainong No.
Thailand: Khaew Sawei, Nam Dok Mai, Rad, Brahm Kai Meu, Okrong
United States
Florida: Alampur Baneshan, Alice, Alphonso, Anderson, Angie, Bailey’s Marvel, Bennet Alphonso, Beverly, Bombay, Brahm Kai Meu, Brooks, Carabao, Carrie, Chok Anon, Cogshall, Cushman, Dot, Duncan, Earlygold, East Indian, Edward, Eldon, Emerald, Fairchild, Fascell, Florigon, Ford, Gary, Gaylour, Glenn, Gold Nugget, Golden Lippens, Graham, Haden, Hatcher, Ice Cream, Irwin, Ivory, Jakarta, Jean Ellen, Julie, Keitt, Kensington Pride, Kent, Lancetilla, Langra Benarsi, Lippens, Mallika, Manilita, Mendoza, Mulgoba, Nam Doc Mai, Nam Tam Teen, Neelum, Nu Wun Chan, Okrung, Osteen, Palmer, Parvin, Pascual, Philippine, Pickering, Po Pyu Kalay, Rosigold, Ruby, Rutledge, Saigon, Sensation, Sophie Fry, Southern Blush, Spirit of ’76, Springfels, Sunset, Suwon Tip, Tebow, Toledo, Tom Dang, Tommy Atkins, Torbert, Turpentine, Valencia Pride, Van Dyke, Zill
Hawaii: Hawaiian Common, Gouveia, Hawaiian Dwarf, Kurahige, Mapulehu, Momi K, Pope, Rapoza, Sugai, Turpentine
Venezuela: Haden, Keitt, Kent, Tommy Atkins
Vietnam: Cao LãnhCát Chu mango, Elephant mango, Hoà L Sand mango
West Indies: Amélie, Black (blackie), Bombay, Dou-douce, East Indian, Graham, Haden, Julie (St. Julian), Long, Madame Francis, Rose, Spice-Box, Starch
Land preparation for mango farming
Preparing the ground for backyard planting is as straightforward as digging a hole large and deep enough to accommodate the bunch of soil that goes with the planting material. In fertile, deep and friable soil, this is particularly recommended.
If the soil is poor, dig a big and deep hole that is 30-50 cm wide in diameter. You will need to re-fill the hole after planting or transplanting with the top soil you set aside.
In case of orchard planting, which has flat or slightly rolling fields, make sure the field is ploughed deep enough and harrowed atleast twice, until the ground becomes finely tilted. Furthermore, this should be done before the rainy season begins.
The field should be laid out using the desired planting system such as, squares, quincunxes, or triangles to accommodate other cultural activities with mango cultivation.
After ploughing the land and bringing it to a fine tilth, pits of dimension 90x90x90cm are dug. The pits are spaced 8-10 meters apart and are filled with well decomposed FYM.
Planting for mango farming
Rainy season is the best time for planting in mango cultivation.
In general, the graft union should be kept at least 6 inches above the ground.
After planting, stakes should be placed for appropriate support and water should be applied immediately after planting.
Propagation in mango farming
In mango cultivation, various types of propagation techniques can be employed. These techniques include approach grafting, veneer grafting and soft wood grafting.
The best season for mango grafting is June to September/October.
Polyembryonic mango seedlings make for the best uniform rootstock.
The Totapuri red small and the Olour root stocks are dwarfing varieties.
On different rootstocks, mangoes do not show significant variation.
Inter-cropping in mango farming
To prevent weed growth, intercropping with mango cultivation should be done in the pre-bearing period.
Phalsa, papaya, pineapple, and vegetables can be intercropped with mango cultivation if irrigation facilities are readily accessible.
In the rainy season, cover crops like sun hemp, daincha, cow pea, cluster bean, etc, can also be grown and ploughed into the soil before the rainy season comes to an end.
It is recommended to plough the land twice a year preferably in April-May and in October-November.
Water requirement and management in mango farming
Weather and soil conditions should be taken into account when determining irrigation and water management.
A tree that produces fruit must be irrigated regularly at intervals of 10-15 days from fruit set until maturity.
For maximum fruit bud development, plants should be given rest by withholding irrigation at least 2-3 months before flowering.
Through drip irrigation, mango trees can be irrigated twice a week at the rate of 40 litres per mango tree.
It is always advisable to water the trees in case of absence of rain.
Fertilization and Nutrient Management for mango farming
For a 1 year old plant, use 10 kg of Fym, 2.5kg of bone meal, and 1 kg of potassium sulphate.
Increase the FYM application by 5 kg, bone meal application by 0.5 kg and potassium sulphate application by 0.4 kg every year, till the plant reaches 10 years of age.
For bearing trees, 750 g N, 200 g, 200 g P2O5 and 1150 g K2O per year may be applied (two split doses can be practiced).
It is also recommended to apply foliar sprays of 1 percent potassium nitrate or 1 percent potassium dihydrogen phosphate + 1 percent urea thrice at monthly intervals to achieve a balanced carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
During the months of September and October, apply paclobutrazol (5g/plant) to the soil.
In addition to checking Gibberelic Acid biosynthesis, paclobutrazol also increases cytokinin levels, chlorophyll content, and improves mineral uptake and carbohydrate gradient throughout the entire plant system.
To increase efficiency, irrigation must be applied immediately following treatment.
Additional recommended tip is to apply organic manure during the month of October.
Approximately 1.5-2.0 m away from the trunk up to the drip line, small trenches should be dug for application of manures.
*A must Read: Guide to type of fertilizers
Weed Management in mango farming
In order to control weeds, Atrazine @4kg/ha/oxyfluofen (Goal) @800ml/ha must be applied as a pre-emergent weedicide.
As a post-emergence weedicide, Gramaxone (Paraquat) can be applied @ 2 liters/ha.
It is important to keep the root zone of the trees weed-free during the growth period.
It is always essential to mix and rotate herbicides to prevent the weeds from developing herbicide resistance.
*A must Read: Guide to bio fertilizers
Pruning and training in mango farming
Pruning limits the vegetative growth and stimulates the quiescent fruit bearing buds by redistributing endogenous hormones, thereby promoting flowering, fruiting, and increasing fruit yield.
For young plants to develop a good framework, they need to be trained properly.
The only pruning required for mango trees is to remove dead and diseased branches. No additional pruning is required.
In most cases, fruits are borne on last year’s shoots, so pruning should be minimal.
Flowering and fruit set in mango farming
Approximately 2-3 months prior to flowering, flower buds form in mango trees.
Depending upon region and variety, blooming occurs between November or December to February or March and generally lasts for about 2-3 weeks.
Flowers on mango trees are polygamous.
By the application of NAA 200ppm at the beginning of flower bud development, the sex ratio can be improved.
Fruit drop in mango farming
During the first four weeks of mango season, fruit drop is very common. This happens immediately after flower opening or following pollination and fertilization or during the grain stage of the fruit.
Mango trees adjust to resources available for development of fruits, this results in falling of some fruits.
Sometimes there is a drop in the number of mature fruits. This phenomenon can occur because of competition between developing fruits for nutrition, low water availability, harsh weather conditions, and a high incidence of pests and diseases.
Efforts can be made to minimize this problem by using proper irrigation during fruit development, optimal nutrient application, proper pest and disease management, as well as by hormone sprays such as 2,4-D (10-30ppm), NAA (5-50ppm), 2,4,5-T (20ppm).
Harvesting and Yield in mango farming
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From fruit set to maturity, mango normally take 90-120 days. A pole harvester is used for harvesting the fruit without damaging it.
In about 2-3 years, mango grafts begin bearing fruit, but commercial yields are expected after 8-10 years of planting the mango trees and may last up to 40-60 years.
Some of the indications of perfect time to harvest mangoes are beginning of colour development of the fruit, 1.0 to 1.02 specific gravity and falling of a fruit or two from the tree.
Troop off branches after harvesting the mango to open the center. Ensure that crisscross branches are removed, as well as dead wood and weak branches.
There is an average yield of mangoes of 8 tons/ha, but yields may vary depending on location and variety.
Transportation, packaging and storing of mangoes
A bamboo basket is used to pack mangoes, which are padded with straw.
Boxes made of wood and cardboard are also used for packaging of mangoes.
Fruits are better maintained if they are individually wrapped.
The storage life of the mangoes is extended by waxing 3% with hot water treatment.
Depending on the variety, mangoes can be stored at 5-14°C and 90% relative humidity for 2-7 weeks
Issues and remedies in mango farming
1. Mango malformation
Mango malformation refers to the formation of condensed branched top shoots and the consolidation of floral parts in a compact mass of sterile flowers.
In North India, malformations are more serious than in South India.
About 50-60% of the crop may be lost if this issue persists.
Krishnabhog, Collecter, Langra, and Neelum mangoes are tolerant to this problem (seedling trees seem to be resistant).
There are two types of malformations : (i) Vegetative malformation and (ii) Floral malformation
Vegetative malformation: The “bunchy top” is likely to dry and die over time.
Floral malformation: The result is an enlargement of flowers, with new flowers appearing even after fruit set, but with a lower percentage of hermaphrodite flowers. Malformed panicles may be loose or compact.
The possible causes of malformation can be nutrients deficiency (C/N ratio, carbohydrates, amino acids, protein) , fungus, mites, nucleic acids, virus, enzymatic activity in the plant, phenolic compounds, phytohormones.
Control measures of Mango malformation
- Using plant growth regulators and phenolic compounds such as NAA, Ethrel, GA, Paclobutrozol, etc.
- De-blossoming: at the bud burst stage
- The use of antagonists and antimalformins such as glutathione, ascorbic acid, silver nitrate
- By applying nutrients for example high NPK combined with FeSO4, Cobalt sulphate
- Cutting off malformed parts.
- By applying pesticides such as Parathion, Kelthane, Kerathane.
- By covering panicles with polythene film, the temperature around the panicles is raised.
- Use only disease-free planting materials for orchards.
- Performing regular inspections of orchards
- Remove all malformed parts on a regular basis
- Apply insecticide after each pruning.
2. Biennial bearing in mango cultivation
A mango tree that produces a good crop one year and no crop or fewer crops the following year is known as an alternate bearing tree or biennial bearing tree. This phenomenon is genetic and inherent to some of the mango varieties.
Probable causes of biennial bearing
- Carbon/Nitrogen ratio: A high carbon/moderate N environment encourages flower bud development (30-40)
- Climatological factors: Rain, high humidity, and low temperatures make it an off year
- Hormonal balance: Auxin and inhibitor-like substances, but not gibberellin-like substances, were found to be necessary for an adequate flowering process.
- Age and size of shoots: Typically, shoots with a maturity of 8-10 months are productive.
Although numerous studies have been conducted, the biennial bearing problem remains unsolved and can only be solved through genetic engineering.
Control measures of biennial bearing
- Mango cultivation with regular bearing cultivars such as Bangalora, Rumani, Neelum and almost all hybrids.
- NAA application deblossoming after one year.
- Spraying 1-2% KNO3, 6-8% CaNO3, and paclobutrazol (5-10gm/tree) are examples of some of the chemical regulation that can be practiced.
- Keeping the trees top open by pruning the fruited shoots.
- Proper care and maintenance of mango tree.
3. Clustering (Jhumka)
Due to adverse weather conditions (low temperatures) during February-March, clusters of fruits without growth appear at the tip of the panicale. The majority of the fruits drop or become wrinkled and compact.
4. Black tip
During ripening, the distal end of the mango becomes black and hard.
This problem is a result of smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and acetylene polluting the atmosphere.
It can be controlled by spraying with Borax at 0.6% at 10-15 day intervals.
5. Soft nose
Calcium deficiency causes this physiological disorder.
A breakdown of the flesh towards the apex of the fruit before ripening leads to softening of the tissues.
6. Spongy tissue
For the exterior the fruit looks normal. But from inside the flesh has yellowish, sour spongy tissue inside the fruit.
This is due to high temperatures, converted heat and exposure to sunlight after harvest.
We can overcome this problem by establishing a sod culture in mango cultivation, mulching the orchard, and harvesting fruits only when they are 3/4 mature.
7. Mango hoppers
A mango hopper attack after flowering will completely destroy the inflorescence.
In the month of February and March, two fortnightly sprays with Carbaryl (0.25 per cent), Diazinon (0.10 per cent) or Endosulfan (0.07 per cent) will stop mango hopper attack in mango cultivation.
8. Powdery mildew
Spritzing wettable sulphur (2 grams per liter of water) is quite effective in controlling Powdery mildew in mango cultivation.
In order to properly retain the pesticides on plants, liquid soap should be mixed with pesticides. As a result, trees will produce bumper crops year after year.
