🌸 Mango: Soil, Climate, and Important Varieties
Adaptation, varietal diversity, and production fundamentals of mango.
This lesson builds the production base for mango, the “king of fruits.” The central idea is that good mango cultivation depends on matching soil, climate, flowering behavior, and cultivar choice with the production region.
Mango (Mangifera indica), the king of fruits, is grown in India for over 400 years. India
shares about 56% of total mango production in the world. Its production has been increasing
since independence, contributing 39.5% of the total fruit production of India. Andhra Pradesh
tops in total production, whereas Uttar Pradesh tops area-wise. Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Gujarat together contribute for about 82% of
the total production in India.
Climate and Soil
Mango can be grown on a wide variety of soils under varied climatic conditions. It can be
grown from alluvial to lateritic soils except in black cotton soil having poor drainage. It grows
well in soils with slightly acidic pH. It does not perform well in soils having pH beyond 7.5.
Soils having good drainage are ideal for mango.
Mango is a tropical fruit, but it can be grown up to 1,100m above mean sea level.
There should not be high humidity, rain or frost during flowering. The temperature between 24
and 27°C is ideal for its cultivation. Higher temperature during fruit development and maturity
gives better-quality fruits. The areas experiencing frequent showers and high humidity are prone
to many pests and diseases. Thus it can be grown best in regions with a rainfall between 25cm
and 250cm. Regions having bright sunny days and moderate humidity during flowering are ideal
for mango growing.
Varieties
India is the home of about 1,000 varieties. Most of them are the result of open pollination
arisen as chance seedlings. However, only a few varieties are commercially cultivated
throughout India.
Commercial mango varieties grown in different states
| Andhra Pradesh | Banganapalli, Suvarnarekha, Neelum and Totapuri |
|---|---|
| Bihar | Bombay green, Chausa, Dashehari, Fazli, Gulabkhas, Kishen Bhog, Himsagar, Zardalu and Langra |
| Gujarat | Kesar, Alphonso, Rajapuri, Jamadar, Totapuri, Neelum, Dashehari and Langra |
| Haryana | Chausa, Dashehari, Langra and Fazli |
|---|---|
| Himachal Pradesh | Chausa, Dashehari and Langra |
| Karnataka | Alphonso, Totapuri, Banganapalli, Pairi, Neelum and Mulgoa |
| Madhya Pradesh | Alphonso, Bombay Green, Dashehari, Fazli, Langra and Neelum |
| Maharashtra | Alphonso, Kesar and Pairi |
| Punjab | Chausa, Dashehari and Malda |
| Rajasthan | Bombay Green, Chausa, Dashehari and Langra |
| Tamil Nadu | Alphonso, Totapuri, Banganapalli and Neelum |
| Uttar Pradesh | Bombay Green, Chausa, Dashehari and Langra |
| West Bengal | Fazli, Gulabkhas, Himsagar, Kishenbhog, Langra and Bombay Green |
State wise availability of mango in India
| Andhra Pradesh | March to mid – August |
|---|---|
| Bihar | May-end to mid-August |
| Gujarat | April to July |
| Haryana | June to August |
| Himachal Pradesh | mid-June to mid- August |
| Karnataka | May to July |
| Madhya Pradesh | Mid-April to July |
| Maharashtra | April to July |
| Rajasthan | May to July |
| Tamil Nadu | April to August |
| Uttar Pradesh | Mid-May to August |
| West Bengal | May to August |
In India, mango is available from March to mid-August. The north Indian cultivars are
alternate-bearer whereas south Indian ones are generally regular-bearer. About 20 varieties are
grown commercially. They are
Alphonso
One of the most popular variety of India, it is mainly grown in Ratnagiri area of
Maharashtra and to a small extent in parts of south Gujarat and Karnataka. Its fruits are
medium-sized (250g), with attractive blush towards the basal end. Pulp is firm, fibreless with
excellent orange colour. It has good sugar: acid blend. Keeping quality is good. It is
susceptible to spongy tissue.
Banganapalli
A widely cultivated, early-maturing mango of south India. It is the main commercial
variety of Andhra Pradesh. Its fruits are large-sized, weighing on an average 350-400g. The pulp
is fibreless, firm and yellow with sweet taste. Fruits have good keeping quality.
Bombay Green
It is one of the earliest varieties of north India. Its fruits are medium-sized, weighing
about 250g each. Fruits have strong and pleasant flavour. Pulp is soft and sweet.
Chausa
Late-maturing variety of north India, it matures during July or beginning of August.
Fruits are large, weighing about 350g each. Fruits are bright yellow with soft'and sweet pulp. It is
shy bearing.
Dashehari
One of the most popular variety of north India, it is a mid-season mango. Fruits are
medium-sized, with pleasant flavour, sweet, firm, and fibreless pulp. Stone is thin and keeping
quality good.
Fazli
This is indigenous to Bihar and West Bengal. Fazli is a late-maturing (August) mango.
Fruits are large, with firm to soft flesh. Flavour is pleasant and pulp is sweet and fibre less.
Keeping quality is good.
Gulab Khas
It is indigenous to Bihar. Regular and heavy-bearer, it is mid-season mango. Fruits are
small to medium-sized. It has rosy flavour. Fruits are ambre-yellow with reddish blush towards
the base and on sides. Keeping quality is good.
Himsagar
Very popular in West Bengal, it is a regular-bearing mango. Its fruits are medium-sized,
having good quality. Flesh is firm, yellow, fibreless with pleasant flavour. Keeping quality is
good.
Kesar
Popular in Saurashtra region of Gujarat, Kesar is an irregular-bearing mango. Fruits are
medium-sized. Flesh is sweet and fibreless. It has excellent sugar: acid blend. Fruits ripen to
attractive apricot-yellow colour with red blush. It has good processing quality.
Kishenbhog
Indigenous to West Bengal, it is a mid-season mango. Fruits are medium to large-sized,
good with a pleasant flavour. There are traces of turpentine. Flesh is firm with few fibres.
Keeping quality is good.
Langra
An important commercial mango variety of north India, it is biennial-bearer and a mid
season variety, with good quality fruits. Flesh is firm, lemon-yellow in colour and scarcely
fibrous. It has characteristic turpentine flavour. Keeping quality is medium.
Mankurad
It is a mid-season variety, popular in Goa. Fruits are medium-sized with yellow skin.
Flesh is firm, cadmium yellow and fibreless. Keeping quality is good.
Neelum
A heavy-yielding, late-season mango in south India, it has regular-bearing habit. Fruits
are medium-sized with good flavour. Flesh is soft, yellow and fibreless. Keeping quality is good.
Pairi
A native to coastal Maharashtra including Goa, it is an early-maturing, heavy and
regular-bearer mango. Fruits are medium-sized with good quality. It has good flavour with sugar:
acid blend. Flesh is soft, primuline-yellow and fibreless. Keeping quality is poor.
Totapuri
Widely grown in south India, Totapuri is a regular and heavy-bearing mango. Fruits are
medium to large with prominent sinus. Fruit quality is medium. It has a typical flavour and flat
taste. Flesh is cadmium-yellow and fibreless.
A number of selections/hybrids of mango have been evolved. These include Clone C-51
from Dashehari selected at the CISH, Lucknow, and an off-season selection, Niranjan, selected
at Parbhani. New clonal selections from Langra and Sunderja have been made at Varanasi and
Rewa. A clonal selection, Paiyur 1, has been made from Neelum, in addition to few dwarf
polyembryonic selections made in the north-eastern region.
As a result of systematic hybridization, several hybrids have been released. However only a
few have become commercially acceptable. Of these, Mallika, Ratna and Arka Puneet are
becoming quite popular.
Mango hybrids and their characters
| Hybrid | Place of research | Parentage | Important characters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mallika | IARI, New Delhi | Neelum x Dashehari |
Regular-bearers, high TSS, good colour, uniform fruits, moderate keeping quality |
| Amrapali | IARI, New Delhi | Dashehari x Neelum |
Dwarf, regular-bearers, cluster- bearing, small-sized fruits, good keeping quality |
| Ratna | FRS, Vengurla | Neelum x Alphonso |
Regular-bearers, free from spongy tissue and fibre |
| Sindhu | FRS, Vengurla | Ratna x Alphonso |
Regular-bearer, stone thin |
| Arka Puneet |
IIHR, Bangalore | Alphonso x Banganapalli |
Regular-bearer, attractive skin colour, medium-sized, free from spongy tissue. Good keeping quality, good sugar, acid blend |
Propagation
Mango is a highly heterozygous and cross-pollinated crop. There are 2 types of mango
varieties. Most of the varieties in south are polyembryonic and thus give true-to-type seedlings.
In north, the varieties grown are monoembryonic and need to be propagated vegetatively.
Mango is propagated on mango rootstock. For raising rootstock, the seeds of mango are
sown within 4-5 weeks after extraction otherwise they lose their viability. For sowing the seeds,
raised beds are prepared with a mixture farmyard manure, red soil and sand. In some places,
seeds are sown directly in polythene bags. After germination, the leaves turn green in 2-4 weeks.
These seedlings are transplanted to polythene covers containing red soil, sand and farmyard
manure. Addition of nitrogenous fertilizer to polythene covers after the establishment of plants
helps in quick growth of seedlings. The seedlings thus raised should be used for grafting at
different ages. Several methods of grafting are practiced. They are:
lnarching: It is one of the most widely practiced methods of grafting. One can get a big-sized
plant material for planting with over 95% success rate.
Veneer and side grafting: These can be utilized for preparing a grafted plant material or for in-
situ grafting, i.e. for the rootstocks which are already planted.
Epicotyl /stone grafting: This method is widely practiced in the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
The germinated seedlings of 8-15 days old are used for grafting.
CULTIVATION
Planting
Different systems of planting like square, rectangular and hexagonal are followed at
different places. However, square and rectangular systems are also popular. The spacing depends
on the vigour of the variety and the cropping system. The planting season varies fron Jun to Sep.
The main field is brought to fine tilth. Pits of 1m x 1mx 1m size are dug. These are exposed to
sun for about 30 days. Before planting, pits are filled with well-rotten farmyard manure. The top
and sub-soil are taken out separately while digging the pits. The grafts should be planted during
rainy season. In the in-situ grafting, rootstocks are planted in the main field. Then they are raised
for 6 months to 1 year. Then the scions of the variety that need to be grown are taken and
grafted. This is usually done when humidity is high. After grafting the scions are covered with
polythene covers.
High-density planting
High-density planting helps increase the yield/unit area. In north India, mango Amrapali
is found amenable for high-density planting with a spacing of 2.5m x 2.5m. Soil drenching with
paclobutrazol (2 ml/tree) induces flowering during off year. It has become a commercial practice
in Konkan region of Maharashtra. If coupled with pruning, it, helps increase production /unit
area in Dashehari. The polyembryonic mango Vellaikolumban when used as rootstock imparts
dwarfing in Alphonso.
AFTER CARE AND MANAGEMENT
Training and pruning
Training is an important practice during the first few years after planting. It is essential to
space the branches properly to facilitate intercultural operations.
Manuring and fertilization
The nutritional requirement of mango varies with the region, soil type and age. A dose of
73g N, l8g P2O2 and 68g K2O5 / year of age from first to tenth year and thereafter a dose of 730g
N, l80g P2O5 and 680g K2O should be applied in 2 split doses during June-July and September
October respectively.
Spraying of zinc sulphate (0.3%) during February, March and May is recommended to
correct the zinc deficiency. Spraying of Borax (0.5%) after fruit set twice at monthly intervals
and 0.5% manganese sulphate after blooming corrects boron and manganese deficiencies
respectively.
Organic manures and phosphatic fertilizers should be applied immediately after harvest,
whereas ammonium sulphate should be given before flowering.
Intecropping
In mango, intercropping helps check weed growth and reduces nutrient losses. Intercropping
blackgram-wheat-mango and brinjal-onion-mango gives better monetary benefits. Besides,
taking up cover crops like sunhemp, cowpea, pea help to prevent soil erosion.
Irrigation
The young plants upto 2-year-old should be watered regularly. The newly-planted grafts
need about 30 litres of water every week. Irrigation during preflowering phase increases
flowering. Irrigating grown-up trees after fruit set at 10-day interval increases the yield.
Harvesting and Postharvest Management
Mangoes should be harvested with pedicel. Injury to the fruits during harvesting brings
down their quality and also makes them prone to fungal attack. An average mango tree yields 8
tonnes /ha. The number of fruits per tree doing its bearing age generally various from 1000 to
2000 fruits. The productivity of mango is higher in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The north Indian
mangoes Langra and Dashehari are alternate-bearers, whereas most of the south Indian mangoes
are regular bearers. Mango Mallika and Amrapali are also comparatively regular-bearer.
After harvesting, mangoes are graded according to their size. To maintain the quality,
proper packaging is a must. In western region, bamboo baskets are used for packing. A basket
contains 50-100 fruits. Straw is used for packing. Wooden boxes are also used in some place.
However, now perforated cardboard are generally used. In these boxes either fruits are
individually wrapped with tissue paper before packing or paper shavings are used for cushioning.
Minimizing the post harvest losses is one of the most important aspects. Usually green
and mature mangoes are stored better than ripe ones harvested from trees. Low temperature
storage, controlled atmospheric storage, use of chemical treatment for delaying ripening,
irradiation, heat treatment, packaging and shrink wrapping are methods to increase their shelf
life. The temperature of 5-16°C for different varieties is ideal for storing. Mangoes are highly
susceptible to low temperature injury. Loss of flavour and development of undesirable softening
are major symptoms of chilling injury.
Under controlled atmospheric storage, retardation of respiratory activity, delaying of softening, colour development and senescence of fruits take place. Hence, this method has not been adopted in mango. The combination of waxing (3%) along with hot-water treatment results in good quality fruits with extended storage life. Individual wrapping of fruit imparts uniform colour and reduces shrinkage. Hydro-cooling at 12°-15°C and holding for 2 weeks at 15°C followed by storage for 1 week at ambient temperature gives good storage life to fruits.
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Topic | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Crop status | Mango is India’s major fruit crop with large area and production share. |
| Adaptation | Performs across tropical and subtropical belts with defined soil-climate suitability. |
| Orchard setup | Variety choice, planting geometry, nutrition, and irrigation drive productivity. |
| Canopy and crop care | Pruning, intercultural practices, and growth management improve fruit quality. |
| Post-harvest | Proper harvest maturity, packing, and cooling increase shelf life. |
References
2 sources • [1] [2]
References
Class notes: HORT 181 - Mango soil, climate, and management
Post-harvest handling recommendations (as cited in lesson text)
Lesson Doubts
Ask questions, get expert answers