Mango Cultivation
Sustainable mango farming practices
The mango (Mangifera indica L.), known as the ‘king of fruits’, is the most important fruit of India. India is home to about hundreds of mango varieties and ranks first among the world’s top mango producing countries, accounting for about 50% of global mango production. The mango tree is thrives in tropical and subtropical climates and can tolerate a wide range of climatic conditions. It requires good rainfall during its growing season, i.e. June to October, and rainless, dry weather from November onwards.
Mango tree soil preparation
The preferred soil type for mango cultivation is deep red loamy soil (2–2.5 m), which is rich in organic matter and with balanced content of macro and micro nutrients. The ideal pH range is 5.5–7.5. A good drainage system is suitable for better growth.
Mango tree planting tips
Mango tree planting is usually done in the months of July–August in rain-fed areas and during February–March in irrigated areas. Utmost care should be taken while adopting tree spacing since it will majorly affect the yield, growth and management practices of the orchard. In rain-fed areas, the planting distance is approximately 10 m x 10 m as the vegetative growth is limited. In moist zone / irrigated areas, the planting distance is 12 m x 12 m as there is likely to be abundant vegetative growth (spacing varies based on the mango variety).
Mango training and pruning
Pruning the young mango plant is important for tree size control and to develop the fruit quality. The pruning process is done to open up the tree structure, to allow good air flow, and to allow for adequate internal light. It also minimizes disease risk and assists in good fruit color development. In pruning, every shoot is cut 2–3 cm from the growing point and the covered with fresh cow dung at the cut wounds.
Pruning is done primarily at the points where there are dead wood, root stock sprouts, low-lying branches, overlapping, intercrossing, diseased, dried, and weak branches. This can be done during August–September, once in three years. Flowering is not allowed for up to three years.
Intercropping in a mango farm
- In young mango orchards, the space between rows of mango trees can be used for intercrops with short duration crops like pulses, vegetables or green manure crops in the first four or five years (non-bearing stage). The biomass can be ploughed back after harvesting the produce.
- For better diversity, one line of custard apple and gooseberry trees can be grown for every two lines of mango trees.
- To improve pollination, sunflower or any other flower crops can be cultivated in between the mango trees to attract bees, which increases pollination and fruit set.
How to rejuvenate an old and unproductive mango orchard
01
The undesirable, crisscrossed, overcrowded, dried and diseased branches should be completely removed from the base in the months of November and December. Prune back 3–4 main branches, which are to be retained at a height of 4 m from the ground. The branches should be allowed to produce a healthy and well-distributed canopy
02
On the cut surfaces, apply Bourdeaux mixture or cow dung mixed with Pseudomonas at 20 gm / kg of dung.
03
For healthy growth of the mango tree, judicious management of nutrition, irrigation, thinning of shoots, and plant protection is necessary.
04
Pruned mango trees will develop an umbrella-like open canopy of healthy shoots with good bearing potential.
Best intercultural practices for mango cultivation
Mango farm nutrition management
- Green manuring with 20 kg per acre is recommended before planting
- Application of FYM and Vermicompostis is recommended every year at 5–10 kg as per the age of the tree
Valarchi application details:
Mango input application schedule
| Month | Nov - Dec | Jan - Feb | Sept - Oct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Dosage | Induce 2.5 ml / lt | Energion 2 ml / lt | Valarchi 2–4 kg per tree |
| Prod | Mode of Application | Dose | Product Information | Product role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valarchi | Basal Application (40–90 cm away from the trunk up to the peripheral drip and incorporated) | Vriksha-Ayurveda-based powder formulation with organically derived macro and micro nutrients blended with plant-derived active ingredients | Steady and slow release of nutrients, strengthens soil microbiome and boosts overall health of the plant | |
| Induce | Foliar spray – 10 to 15 days interval of 2 sprays | 2.5ml/lt | Liquid formulation with amino acid chelated micronutrients (Zn, Mg) and macronutrients (N,P,K,S) | Rapid establishment and healthy early stage plant growth with enhanced photosynthetic ability |
| Energion | Foliar spray – 15 to 20 days interval of 2 sprays | 2ml/lt | Seaweed-based liquid formulation with amino acid and plant derived polysulphides | Prevents premature flowering, fruit drop, improves strong flower stalk formation and size of fruit, and quality of final produce |
| Tricit | Immediately after initial | 4ml/lt | Non-synthetic EC formulation with non-edible oil | Antifeedant and deterrent property |
Mango field sanitation for pest and disease management
- Practice clean cultivation and maintain weed-free fields as weeds serve as alternate hosts for pest and disease.
- General cleanliness of the farm (avoid nearby manure pit, farm waste, decayed fruits) is very important to avoid insect and rodents damage.
- Adopt proper spacing and avoid overcrowding of plants to prevent pest and disease spread.
- As a prophylactic measure, the first affected or diseased parts of the plants are immediately cleared and burnt or buried in the soil.
- Apply Tricit of 4 ml per liter of water for mango midge, fruit flies, thrips, red tree ants, and Mango gall psylla.
- In case of sooty mould, spray Tricit 4 ml per liter of water mixed with 5% maida or refined flour (1 kg maida or starch boiled with 1 liter of water and diluted to 20 liters). Avoid sprayingduring overcast or cloudy weather.
Mango harvesting season
The green mangoes, once they reach the desired size and shape, are typically harvested from March to June. Harvesting also depends on the yield potential, which varies depending on the mango varieties planted and the spacing adopted to promote growth. The mango harvesting process is typically done 8–10 t/ha up to 15 years, or 15–20 t/ha for 15 to 20 years.
Post-harvest treatment of mangoes
Dip the fruits in 52° ± 1°c hot water immediately after harvest for 5 minutes, followed by 8% plant wax to reduce anthracnose disease in mango during storage.
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