Mango: Introduction and Importance

Mango (Mangifera indica L Family Anacardiaceae) is the second major fruit crop in Pakistan. At present it is grown on an area of 93.42 thousand hectares with production 915.7 thousand tonnes Table-1. The area under mango crop has increased but the rise in production is comparatively slow. The main mango growing districts in the Punjab province are Multan, Bahawalpur, Muzzaffar garh and Rahim yar Khan. In the province of Sindh it is mainly grown in Mir pur Khas, Hyderabad and Thatta in the province of NWFP it is grown in Peshawar and Mardan.

Introduction and Importance: 

Mango (Mangifera indica L Family Anacardiaceae) is the second major fruit crop in Pakistan. At present it is grown on an area of 93.42 thousand hectares with production 915.7 thousand tonnes Table-1. The area under mango crop has increased but the rise in production is comparatively slow. The main mango growing districts in the Punjab province are Multan, Bahawalpur, Muzzaffar garh and Rahim yar Khan. In the province of Sindh it is mainly grown in Mir pur Khas, Hyderabad and Thatta in the province of NWFP it is grown in Peshawar and Mardan. The climate of Sindh gets warmer about one month earlier than the Punjab which has given the province the privilege to grow early varieties of mango. Subsequently, a new trend of growing late varieties in Punjab has received a wide popularity which has extended the market period and added to the exportable surplus.

Table 1. Area and production of Mango in Pakistan (1998-2005). 

This delicious fruit is nutritionally superior, source of several vitamins and minerals. Pakistan produces 5.86 percent world’s mangoes being the third largest producer. Its export is progressing resulting into substantial foreign exchange earnings. Mango export including Middle East has also found its way to the UK and other European markets. It is believed that the demand would rise to as high as 50 percent given the right impetus and expanding the export to Germany, Japan China and Hong Kong.

Climate and Soil:

The ecological conditions suitable for mango cultivation are:

Elevations ranging from 200 to 300 meters.

Suitable temperature range is 15 to 40oC. Low temperatures are extremely harmful. Frosts and hot winds cause great damage to the trees. Young plants need protection against frost and hot winds.

A hot and humid climate is suitable. In areas with heavy rainfall, the quality of fruit may be affected.

Mango can be grown in a wide range of soils but well drained, deep and fertile soils are most suitable. Salt affected soil are not good for its cultivation.

Propagation:

Propagation is done by various means of grafting on local seedlings.

Suitable age of nurseryplant for transplanting:         1.5 to 2.0 year

Time for transplanting: In spring:                            Feb/March In Autumn: Sept/Oct

Time to start of bearing:                                        4-5 years

Time to full bearing:                                              6-7 years

Normal economic bearing life:                                30-50 years

Time of flowering:                                                  Feb/Mar

Leading Commercial varieties:

Sindh: Sindhri, Gulabkhas, Swarnarice, Baganpalli, Collector, Neelum
Punjab: Malda, Langra, Aman Duseri, Anwar Ratol, Samer Bahisht, Fajri Kalan and Sensation.
NWFP: Lengra and Samer Bahisht

Baluchistan: Sindhri and Banganpalli

Production technology:

Annual Crop Water Demand:                      500-750 mm

Irrigation intervals:

Young plants                                            7 days

Mature trees in winter                                15-20 days

Mature trees in summer                             8-10 days

Apply farm yard manure at the rate of 10-30 kg per young plant and 80 to 100 kg per full grown tree.

Apply 3-4 kg SSP, 2-3 kg Potassium Sulphate and 2-3 kg Urea before flowering (Dec to Jan).

Apply a further 2-3 kg Urea after fruit setting in two equal doses (Mar/Apr).

Pruning:
Mango usually assumes a graceful dome shape shading the main trunk. No pruning is practiced however, annually after fruit harvest diseased, dried, broken branches and those touching the ground should be pruned off. To rejuvinate the orchard after every 3-4 years it is advisable that 15-20% of old wood should be removed.

Harvesting:
Picking should be done when the fruit is fully developed and mature. Natural drop of the fruit is the main indication that the fruit is ready for picking. Different varieties in different areas ripe at different times. In Sindh, mango varieties start ripening from May to June. In Punjab ripening starts from June and continues upto mid August. In NWFP, the harvest is a later which helps to extend the period that mangoes are available. Expected yields vary from 40 to 100 kg per tree.

Pests and Diseases:

Aphids: These suck the sap of the leaves and attack the plant during Feb/Aug. Use Folido 50% EC at the rate of 0.45 litres 450 litres of water per acre.

Fruitflies: These attack mango fruits throughout the season. They have three generations and multiply very rapidly. For effective control collect all the fallen and affected fruits and bury them deep into the soil. Pheromone traps can also be used for trapping the male population. Use Dioptries 80% at the rate of 1 litre in 450 litres of water or Malathion 57% at the rate of 0.5 litre to 450 litres of water per acre.

Mango Borer: These cause damage to shoots and stems between May and Oct. To protect the stems, cover them with a cloth or Jute and paste charcoal over it. Fostoxin tablets can also be placed and sealed in the holes made by the borers.
Mango Scales: These suck the sap from the leaves as a results of which the tree starts drying. Collect the affected leaves and burn them to check further spread. Use Metasystox 25% EC at the rate of 0.3 litre in 450 litres of water of Fotidal 50 EC at the rate of 0.5 litre in 450 litres of water per acre1.

Mango Malformation: This is a very serious disease of mango in which the leaves and inflorescence are badly deformed and gradually dry up. There is no fruit setting and no production is obtained. There is no effective control yet, however, with better cultural measures incidence can be rudeced.

Mango Blight: This is caused by Erwinia bacteria. Many spots appear on the leaves which cause a reduction in growth and yield. Use Dithane M 45 at the rate of 750 gram in 450 litres of water per acre.

Key Reference : parc.gov.pk