Mango the "King of Fruits", is the leading fruit crop of Andhra Pradesh, occupying an area of 2.76 lakhs hectares which accounts for 60% of the total area under fruits with an annual production of about 3.25 lakh tonnes. The major mango growing districts are Krishna, East Godavari, West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Chittoor, Khammam, Karimnagar and Adilabad.

CLIMATE

Mango is a tropical fruit, high humidity and cloudy weather at rhe time of flowering are not favouable as they affect pollination and fruit set and encourage diseases. Rain during flowering is detrimental to the crop.

VARIETIES

Table Varieties : Banganapally(Benishan) Totapari, Neelum, Dashehari, Langra, Kesar.

Juicy Varieties : Peddarasam, Chinnarasam, Cheukurasam, Navaneetham, Panakalu.

Pickle Varieties : Jalal, Amani, Rajapuri, Royal Special, Bobbili Punasa, Baramasi.

Hybrid : Recently some mango hybrids have been released for cultivation by different research stations/Universities such as mallika, Amrapali, manjeera, Ratna, Arka Aruna, Arka Puneet, Arka Anmol, Neeleshan, Neeluddin, Neelgoa, AU-Rumani etc.

PROPAGATION

Vegetative propagation is preferred to get true to type plants. Veneer, Grafting, Inarching and epicotyl grafting are the popular methods.

PLANTING

Planting is to be done during the beginning of monsoon (June-July). In heavy rainfall areas planting can be done at the end of the rainy season. Planting distances can be around 7-10m depending on the soil depth, fertility of soil and vigour of the variety planted. Even 12m spacing can be adapted in very deep and fertile soils. Prepare the land by deep ploughing followed by harrowing and levelling withy a gentle slope for good drainage. New dwarf hybrids like Amrapali, Manjeera, Arka Aruna can be planted at closer spacing. Dig pits of about 1m X 1m X 1m & fill with the original soil mixed with 20 to 25 kg well rotten farm yard manure, 2.5 kg. Single super phosphosphate and 1 kg. Mariate of potash. In areas with termite problem, 5% sevin can also be added. One year old healthy, straight growing grafts from reliable sources can be planted at the centre of the pits alongwith the ball of earth intact, during rainy season, in such a way that the roots are not exposed and the graft union is above the ground level. Press the soil firmly around the plant and provide support to young plants by proper staking to prevent wind damage. Remove root stocks sprouts below the graft union as and when observed.

TRAINING AND PRUNING

Do not allow branching upto 1 meter on the main stem from the base of the plant. Branching should be allowed thereafter spaced at 20 to 25 cm apart in such a way that they grow in different directions. Branches which cross over and rub each other should be removed.

MANURES AND FERTILIZERS

In general, 170 g Urea, 110 g single superphosphate and 115 g muriate of potash per plant per year of age from first to tenth year and thereafter 1.7 Kg. 1.1 Kg. And 1.15 Kg respectively of these fertilizers per plant per year can be applied in two equal splitdoses (June-July and October). Foliar spray at 2% Urea is recommended before flowering in sandy areas.

IRRIGATION

For young plants, frequent watering is needed for proper establishment. In the case of grown up trees, irrigation at 10 to 15 days interval from fruit set to maturity is beneficial for improving yield. Irrigation is not advisable for 2 to 3 months prior to flowering, As it is likely to promote vegetative growth at the expense of flowering.

INTERCULTURE

First inter cultivation is to be taken up just before the onset of monsoons.

INTERCROPPING

Intercropping can be taken up when the mango trees attain suitable height and develop canopy(5-6 years) Intercrops such as vegetables, legumes, short duration and dwarf fruit crops like Papaya, depending on the agro-climatic factors of the region, can be taken.

PLANT PROTECTION

Mango is prone to damages by a large number of pests, diseases and disorders. The recommended control measures for most important and common among them are briefed below.

MANGO HOPPERS

Two sprays (at panicle emergence and at pea size of fruits) with carbaryl (0.15%) monocrotophos (0.04%) or phosphamidon (0.05%).

Mealy Bugs

As prophylactic measures plough inter-spaces in November and dust 2% methylparathin @200 g/tree near the trunk and fixing 20 cm wide 400 gauge polythene strips around the trunk with grease applied on the lower edge (in January) Two sprays with monocrotophos (0.04%)at 15 days intervel is necessary, if presence of mealy bugs are noticed.

POWDERY MILDEW

Two or three sprays of wettable sulphur (0.2%) or Kerathane (0.1%) or Bavistin (0.1%) or Calixin (0.1%) at 10 to 15 days interval.

ANTHRACNOSE

Two sprays of Bavistin (0.1%) at Fortnightly intervel.

MALFORMATION

One spray of 200ppm NAA in October followed by deblossoming at bud stage in December - January.

Fruit Drop :

(1) Regular Irrigation during fruit development
(2) Timely and effective control of pests and diseases
(3) Spraying 20 ppm NAA at pea size of fruits.

HARVESTING

Harvest the fruits when they attain the maturity. Harvest during early hours of the day or late hours of evening using harvesters

After Care :

After harvest keep the orchard clean and irrigate it capiously. Prune the branches touching the ground, dried twigs, criss-cross branches and open the centre. If a regular crop is to be taken up apply paclobutrazal (cultar) before the end of September.

Dose & Method of Application : Soil drenching at 2 ft. away from the trunk by making holes and pouring. The cultar solution @ 5-6 litres/tree (2.5 gm of paclabutrazol or 10ml of cultar/tree).

Yield : Grafted plants start bearing at the age of 3-4 years (10-20 fruits) but those fruits should be removed upto 5 years to encourage vegetative growth. Optimum yield is obtained from 10th to 15th year which continues to increase upto the age of 40 years under good management condition and thereafter it starts declining.