Cultivation of Mango
Introduction :
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) belonging to Family Anacardiaceae is the most important commercially grown fruit crop of the country. It is called the king of fruits. India has the richest collection of mango cultivars. Cultivation of mango is believed to have originated in South East Asia. Mango is being cultivated in southern Asia for nearly six thousand years.
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) belonging to Family Anacardiaceae is the most important commercially grown fruit crop of the country. It is called the king of fruits. India has the richest collection of mango cultivars. Cultivation of mango is believed to have originated in South East Asia. Mango is being cultivated in southern Asia for nearly six thousand years.
Climate
Mango is a tropical fruit, but can be grown upto 1100 m above MSL. The ideal temperature range for successful mango cultivation is between 24 0 to 27 0 C . It can be grown best in regions with a rainfall of 25 cm and 250 cm. High humidity, rain or frost during flowering is detrimental to mango cultivation. Higher temperature during fruit development and maturity gives better quality fruits. Regions with bright sunny days and moderate humidity during flowering are ideal for mango growing
Soil
Mango can grow well in all types of soil from alluvial to lateritic, except the black cotton soils, which are considered as poor. The only prerequisite is a deep (2 to 2.5 m) and well drained soil. In Tamil Nadu, red loamy soil with good drainage is preferred soil for mango cultivation. Mango prefers slightly acidic soil. It does not grow well beyond a soil pH of 7.5. Soils with an appreciable amount of gravel or Kankar in the profile too can grow good mangoes provided they are not alkaline. Saline and alkaline soils are not conducive for profitable mango cultivation.
Other factors
Selecting a location isolated from potential sources of pest, disease, or weed is desirable; but is not often possible. Sites that are away from conventional production areas, allows relative isolation to reduce the risk of contamination from adjacent land use. If the area is prone to wind breaks, wind breaks are required to protect the crops from wind effect and damage. Selecting better soils is likely to be helpful and require lesser inputs than poor soils. Loamy soils are likely to require relatively less nutrient inputs and lower water demands than sandy soil types.
Mango is a tropical fruit, but can be grown upto 1100 m above MSL. The ideal temperature range for successful mango cultivation is between 24 0 to 27 0 C . It can be grown best in regions with a rainfall of 25 cm and 250 cm. High humidity, rain or frost during flowering is detrimental to mango cultivation. Higher temperature during fruit development and maturity gives better quality fruits. Regions with bright sunny days and moderate humidity during flowering are ideal for mango growing
Soil
Mango can grow well in all types of soil from alluvial to lateritic, except the black cotton soils, which are considered as poor. The only prerequisite is a deep (2 to 2.5 m) and well drained soil. In Tamil Nadu, red loamy soil with good drainage is preferred soil for mango cultivation. Mango prefers slightly acidic soil. It does not grow well beyond a soil pH of 7.5. Soils with an appreciable amount of gravel or Kankar in the profile too can grow good mangoes provided they are not alkaline. Saline and alkaline soils are not conducive for profitable mango cultivation.
Other factors
Selecting a location isolated from potential sources of pest, disease, or weed is desirable; but is not often possible. Sites that are away from conventional production areas, allows relative isolation to reduce the risk of contamination from adjacent land use. If the area is prone to wind breaks, wind breaks are required to protect the crops from wind effect and damage. Selecting better soils is likely to be helpful and require lesser inputs than poor soils. Loamy soils are likely to require relatively less nutrient inputs and lower water demands than sandy soil types.
Loamy soils can accommodate
organic matter, which in turn is responsible for the development of good
soil biological activity and humus formation suitable for organic
production. Chemical or heavy metal residue in soil must not exceed
limits set by organic standards Choosing a small initial block for
organic conversion can reduce the commercial risk, as it is unlikely to
have significant impact on profit. By starting with a small trial area
dedicated to organic methods, growers can gain experience, knowledge and
confidence about what works and where problems may occur.
Land preparation
The land is prepared by usual ploughing, harrowing and levelling. A gentle slope is provided to facilitate proper irrigation and prompt drainage to avoid the harmful effects of water stagnation. After marking of the points for the plants, pits of 90X90X90 cm are dug during summer months. This operation is done by utilizing a planting board so that precise location of the plants in the middle of the pit remains undisturbed. While digging of pits, it is essential to keep the topsoil and subsoil separately in two heaps near each pit for two to four weeks.
This helps in exposing the harmful soil organisms to weathering agencies, providing better aeration to the root zone and in making provision for nutritional requirements for healthy development of the soil. The pit is filled with 20 kg of FYM, 5 kg of vermicompost and Biofertlizers (Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria). Green manuring is also done with the onset of SW monsoon in July/August with Daincha and Sunhemp. Growing of leguminous green manuring crops helps in Nitrogen fixing besides providing excellent green cover to entire field, which in turn prevents moisture loss.
Land preparation
The land is prepared by usual ploughing, harrowing and levelling. A gentle slope is provided to facilitate proper irrigation and prompt drainage to avoid the harmful effects of water stagnation. After marking of the points for the plants, pits of 90X90X90 cm are dug during summer months. This operation is done by utilizing a planting board so that precise location of the plants in the middle of the pit remains undisturbed. While digging of pits, it is essential to keep the topsoil and subsoil separately in two heaps near each pit for two to four weeks.
This helps in exposing the harmful soil organisms to weathering agencies, providing better aeration to the root zone and in making provision for nutritional requirements for healthy development of the soil. The pit is filled with 20 kg of FYM, 5 kg of vermicompost and Biofertlizers (Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria). Green manuring is also done with the onset of SW monsoon in July/August with Daincha and Sunhemp. Growing of leguminous green manuring crops helps in Nitrogen fixing besides providing excellent green cover to entire field, which in turn prevents moisture loss.
Spacing
Spacing varies from 7 m to 10 m either way.
Planting material
Mango is propagated by inarching and veneer grafting, but of late, epicotyl and softwood grafting replacing these two methods. As regards, selection of root stock, research trails show that polyembroyonic cultivar Vellaikolambam significantly reduces the canopy size by half with out reducing production. Planting material is procured from nurseries, which propagate the planting material either by organic or chemical means. However, it is preferable to procure planting material from organic sources.
Varieties
The varieties recommended for mango for agro climatic conditions of Tamil Nadu are as follows:
Spacing varies from 7 m to 10 m either way.
Planting material
Mango is propagated by inarching and veneer grafting, but of late, epicotyl and softwood grafting replacing these two methods. As regards, selection of root stock, research trails show that polyembroyonic cultivar Vellaikolambam significantly reduces the canopy size by half with out reducing production. Planting material is procured from nurseries, which propagate the planting material either by organic or chemical means. However, it is preferable to procure planting material from organic sources.
Varieties
The varieties recommended for mango for agro climatic conditions of Tamil Nadu are as follows:
- Neelum, Bangalora, Alphonso, Rumani, Banganapalli, Kalepady, Peter, PKM 1, PKM 2, Sendura, Jahangir, Mulgoa, Paiyur 1, Mallika, Amrapali, Salem Bangalora, Arka Anmol, Arka Aruna and Arka Puneeth, Arka Neelkiran.
- Varieties for processing: Alphonso, Banganapalli, Totapuri
- Varieties for export : Alphonso, Banganapalli, Sendura
- Alphonso has become a popular variety among organic growers, in view of its better varietal characteristics and better market.
It is done with the advent of monsoon. The planting season could be July to December, depending upon the monsoon and availability of irrigation facilities.
Water Management
The water requirements mainly depend on the age, soil type and climate. However, young plants upto 2 years should be watered regularly. The newly planted grafts need about 25-30 l of water every day. Irrigating the grown up trees after fruit set at 10-days interval increases their yield. Mango growers commonly practice drip irrigation so as to control over watering and also to irrigate a larger area with better management practices.
Cultural practices
Weeding
It is preferable to select a site, which is free from serious weed problems. Mulching with straw during the first few years of establishment may be useful in controlling weeds. In older mango orchards, weed management is less problematic due to shading and leaf litter.
Pruning
Pruning mango tree is important for tree size control and to improve the fruit colour. Essentially, tree pruning and canopy management is same for organic or conventional production. Pruning is done to open up the structure to allow good airflow and adequate internal light. It also minimises disease risk and assists in good fruit colouration. Internal pruning to remove dead wood can be very important to help reduce the incidence of disease like stem end rot.
Rootstock sprouts and low-lying branches have to be removed. Overlapping, intercrossing, diseased, dried, weak branches are removed to get good sunlight and aeration. For internal branches, pruning may be done during August- September, once in three years. Flowering should not be allowed upto three years. Among the crowded terminal shoots, weak shoots are trimmed to retain two healthy shoots during August- September annually.
Plant protection
Pests
The important pests are hopper, mealy bug, stem bores, fruit fly. Pest management practices for each pest is described below:
Fruit Fly
Adult and larvae maggots cause fruit damage. Egg laying females puncture the fruits leaving scars and holes on the fruit surface. Larval feeding causes premature fruit drop and destroys the pulp of the fruit. The fruit eventually rots making it unsuitable for harvesting and human consumption. Fruit fly attack is controlled by harvesting the crop early when fruits are mature green. This is the stage of maturity when crops are not susceptible to fruit fly attack. Removal of fruits with dimples and oozing clear sap, collection and destruction of fallen and damaged ripe fruits and practicing field sanitation helps in controlling fruit fly attack.
Mango Mealy bugs
The mealy bug affected plant leaves are distorted (rolled or folded), stunted and yellow. Heavy infestation causes drooping of leaves and flowers and reduces fruit setting and attacked fruits drop prematurely. Mealy bugs excrete large quantities of honeydews, which promote sooty mold that causes blackened malformed leaves, stems, and fruits. Infested fruits are unmarketable. Spraying steady stream of water on the host plant to knock off mealy bugs, hand picking of the bugs from the affected plants to reduce populations and pruning the affected plant parts to remove mealy bugs, applying chilli and soap sprays are the suggested control measures. Removal and destruction of heavily infested plant will help in cutting down the infested sites and reducing its future population.
Mango leafhopper
Both the nymphs and adults feed on the plant sap of the flowers, leaves, tender shoots and newly formed fruits. They then suck out the liquid contents leaving behind the dead empty cells, which are small white spots. The affected flower heads turn brown and dry up. Leafhoppers produce large amounts of sugary liquid waste called honeydew, on which sooty mould develops. The appearance of sooty mold on plants is an indication of leaf hopper infestation. Spraying garlic oil and neem oil are recommended as control measures.
Mango shoot caterpillar
The larvae feed on the growth flushes of nursery stock, young trees, and top-worked trees. Occasionally, the fruit stalks and young fruits are damaged. The sudden death of a part of a branch, cracked branch and falling off a branch are indications of the attack. It is controlled by applying ginger, garlic and chilly extract and neem leaf extract. Pruning the affected plant parts and burning or burying them helps in controlling their population. Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) Lucknow, recommends the following practices for controlling pests in mango:
-
Spraying of Biodynamic pesticide prepared from cow urine, neem, karanj (Pongamia glabara), castor, Thevtia nerrifolia, Vitex spp.
- Spraying Nettle leaf extract sprays to control hard pests like mango hoppers, mealy bugs, etc. Nettle spray is prepared by soaking 250 g of nettle leaf powder in 4-5 l of water for 24 hrs. Filter the extract and mix in 20 l of cow urine. Dilute to 200 l in water and spay on foliage to control pests.
The important diseases of mango are Powdery mildew, Anthracnose, Stem-end rot, and Sooty mould. Suggested measures are as follows:
Powdery mildew
It is a fungal disease caused by Oidium mangiferae and can destroy the crop. Its incidence is favoured by high humidity accompanied by cloudy weather and low night temperatures during the period between panicle development and fruit set. It is characterized by the appearance of greyish white powdery bloom on the flower buds and fruits. Need based spraying of Horsetail / Casuarina extract helps in controlling the disease.
Anthracnose
It is a fungal disease and occurs especially in humid and high rainfall areas. The characteristic symptom is the appearance of black necrotic areas on the affected parts. The affected young shoots finally show die back symptoms. As the fungus survives on dead or dried twigs, these should be pruned and burnt at the earliest. Good canopy management and tree nutrition / soil management, close monitoring and application of copper hydroxide & potassium bicarbonate sprays help in controlling the disease.
Anthracnose Stem end rot
Removing dead wood, good canopy management and tree nutrition / soil management helps in controlling the disease. It is reported that application of calcium to the soil in the form of gypsum at low rates, 2-4 kg per tree prior to flowering reduces the severity of internal fruit disorder significantly. Farmers are also applying some commercially available bio-pesticides such as Pseudomonas fluorescens, Verticillium lecanii, Beauveria bassiana as foliar sprays, besides neem oil spray in controlling the disease. CISH findings on disease management :
-
Two sprays of Cow Horn Silica (BD-501) at flowering and fruit development stage
-
Biodynamic tree paste/cow dung paste for control of gummosis and die back
- Spraying of Horse tail ( Equisetum arvensis)/Casuarina leaves extract for control of fungal diseases in ascending moon period.
Harvesting
Mango fruits need 120 to 140 days after fruit set to mature. The fruits should be harvested at the correct stage to obtain the characteristic taste and flavour of the variety. Harvesting is traditionally done when a few semi-ripe fruits fall from the tree. However, it is not a scientific method. The accurate method of finding maturity is by sinking the fruits in water and when fruits fully sink in water, they are considered to have attained full maturity.
Fruits sinking in water have specific gravity of less than 1.02. The fruits will give best taste and flavour when the shoulders outgrow the stem-end and colour is olive green or when the colour become light. Harvesting of fruits should be done before 10 AM or after 04 PM to keep fruits fresh, turgid for longer shelf life. Harvest only matured fruits as frequently as possible in about 4-6 rounds. Injury to the fruits during harvesting brings down their quality and makes them prone to fungal attack.
Harvest fruits with sharp secature keeping 3-5 cm pedicel. It is important that all fruits should have pedicels intact to avoid oozing of latex on fruit surface spoiling appearance, development of black spots and paving way for entry of pathogens. Harvested fruits should be kept in shade and not in open sun and transported to the pack house for post-harvest operations.
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