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. 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 (1989-99).
Province
|
Area ” 000” hectares
|
|
1989-90
|
1990-91
|
1991-92
|
1992-93
|
1993-94
|
1994-95
|
1995-96
|
1996-97
|
1997-98
|
1998-99
|
Punjab
|
47.3
|
47.7
|
47.5
|
44.7
|
45.2
|
47.7
|
48.0
|
48.0
|
48.2
|
48.4
|
Sindh
|
34.4
|
36.7
|
37.2
|
37.3
|
37.8
|
38.6
|
39.5
|
40.2
|
42.4
|
42.8
|
NWFP
|
0.17
|
0.18
|
0.18
|
0.19
|
0.19
|
0.20
|
0.21
|
0.21
|
0.22
|
0.22
|
Baluchistan
|
0.78
|
0.79
|
1.0
|
1.2
|
1.5
|
1.6
|
1.7
|
1.8
|
1.9
|
2.0
|
|
Production “000” Tonnes
|
Punjab
|
493.1
|
500.9
|
507.6
|
510.1
|
550.1
|
581.3
|
598.8
|
602.3
|
586.2
|
582.2
|
Sindh
|
265.4
|
267.1
|
269.2
|
270.9
|
274.4
|
285.3
|
291.7
|
293.4
|
311.8
|
314.6
|
NWFP
|
1.7
|
1.8
|
1.9
|
1.9
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
2.1
|
2.2
|
2.2
|
2.3
|
Baluchistan
|
5.7
|
5.9
|
8.4
|
10.6
|
12.6
|
14.8
|
15.0
|
16.3
|
16.3
|
16.6
|
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
1. Apply farm yard manure at the rate of 10-30 kg per young plant
and 80 to 100 kg per full grown tree.
2. Apply 3-4 kg SSP, 2-3 kg Potassium Sulphate and 2-3 kg Urea
before flowering (Dec to Jan).
3. 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.