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Essay on Mango
Essay Contents:
- Essay on the Introduction to Mango
- Essay on the Origin and History of Mango
- Essay on the Area and Production of Mango
- Essay on the Importance and Uses of Mango
- Essay on the Choice of Varieties of Mango
- Essay on the Disorders in Mango Fruit
- Essay on the Plant Protection Measures of Mango
Essay # 1. Introduction to Mango:
The mango (Mangifera indica L.) is considered to be the king of fruits. It is, undoubtedly, one of the choicest and most ancient fruits known to mankind. In India, it has always been a prized and favourite fruit throughout the recorded history of this country.
The fruit not only finds a prominent mention in the old Sanskrit literature but almost all the foreigners, right from the Chinese pilgrims who travelled here in Seventh Century A.D. down to the modern writers, have spoken in glowing terms about this fruit.
During the Mughal rule, mango was honoured with a real patronage. The well-known Lakh Bagh, known to be stocked with 1, 00,000 mango trees, was planted near Darbhanga in Bihar state by Akbar. Some mango orchards planted during that period notably the Shalimar Garden of Lahore and Mughal Gardens at Pinjore near Chandigarh are still preserved and bear testimony to the high esteem this fruit enjoyed in the past. The mango occupies the same position in the tropical and sub-tropical regions, which is enjoyed by the Apple in temperate region.
Essay # 2. Origin and History of Mango:
Several authorities have testified to the origin of mango in the Indo Burma region, where it has been in cultivation for atleast 4000 years. This fruit has become deeply interwoven with religious rites and folklore of the inhabitants of this country due to its antiquity, popularity, and usefulness.
It is a fruit par excellence for millions of people in the Orient, especially those in India. The mango which combine utility with beauty has the status of the national tree of India and is very rightly considered ‘King’ among fruits grown in the country.
The mango spread quite early in eastern part. Some Chinese travellers who came in India in seventh century, they described that mango is very sweet and delicious fruit. Even earlier than that in the Buddhist and Hindu temples there is life like images of mango. Mango travelled to the west only after the sea-route was discovered.
Alexander saw first mango tree in Indus Valley, which proves that it did not travel towards the Western countries before Alexander. Portuguese people took mango fruit to South Africa and Brazil in about 1700 A.D. Spanish people introduced in Philippines.
Mango was introduced in Jamaica around 1782. From Mexico, it was introduced in Florida during 1833. In 1869 grafted mango trees were taken to Florida from India. Mango was introduced in Israel in 1929 through seeds brought from Egypt. This fruit is grown on commercial scale in India and neighbouring countries.
Essay # 3. Area and Production of Mango:
The leading mango producing countries are India, China, Thailand, Pakistan, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Philippines and Nigeria.
India is leading at the top with mango production of 16.2 million tonnes per year. In India, mango occupies 35.5 per cent of the total area under fruits comprising of 2.38 million hectares. The mango growing states in India are Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Kerala. Uttar Pradesh is the leading mango producing state with a share of 23.71 per cent in production.
Of the various States Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh has the largest area accounting for nearly 20.3 and 17.2 per cent, respective of the total area in the country, followed by Uttar Pradesh (10.8%). In Punjab, the total area under mango is approximately 6664 hectares with the annual production of 105921 tonnes. The production is far too low, with the result that this State has to import a bulk of fruit particularly of grafted varieties, from other States every year.
The mango grows and prosperous in almost all parts of the Punjab, barring very hot and dried zones of the south-west Punjab, where it fails to thrive. However, the best zones for the commercial cultivation of mango in Punjab are the sub-montane tracts of Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ropar, SAS Nagar and Patiala districts. The sub-montane belt has numerous seedling mango trees, many of which are of enormous size and some of them over 100 years old.
Export Potential:
India is the largest mango producing country, accounting for 42 per cent of world production. There are bright prospects of building up a flourishing trade for the export of this fruit to other countries as well as of its products like ‘Canned mango slices’ and ‘bottled mango juice’.
Already mangoes are exported to nearly 20 countries, whereas its products are sent to over 40 countries. However, the present turn out of export of mango from India to different countries during the year 2012-13 is Rs. 264.76 crores. India is exporting mango to United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Kuwait, Singapore, Qatar, Bahrain, USA etc.
The commodity share of mango from India to UAE is to the tune of 67.8 percent of the total export. Mango can thus earn for India a handsome foreign exchange, through the export of fresh mangoes and mango products. There are vast stretches of areas where the cultivation of this choice fruit could be developed and expanded usefully and profitably.
Essay # 4. Importance and Uses of Mango:
Mangos possess unique nutritional and medicinal qualities apart from being a rich source of vitamins A (4000 IU) and C. Besides its attractive form and appearance, delicious taste and appetizing flavour; the ripe mango fruit, according to nutritional experts, is also highly invigorating, fattening, laxative and diuretic.
Every part of mango, from root to top, is used in a variety of ways. The fruit itself, in the various stages of its development, is used in many ways. In its raw stage, the fruit is used for extraction of tannin and other astringent products as well as for the preparation of delightful chutneys, curries and pickles.
Ripe fruits are a delicacy for the table, while the unmarketable and inferior ones can be converted into delicious squashes, juices, nectars, syrups, jams and jellies. Canned mango slices and pulp are indeed very popular. The stones, besides their use for propagation, can serve as a good stock-feed for cattle. The inside kernel of the stone, being rich in carbohydrates, calcium and fat, can be used as a source of food for certain industrial purposes. Thus the mango is a unique fruit, and possesses all the endearing qualities which justifiably lend to it a universal appeal.
Essay # 5. Choice of Varieties of Mango:
The pre-historic existence of mango in India, its widespread cultivation all over the country and, above all, its propagation for centuries from seed, has all contributed to the multiplicity of its varieties. The vegetative propagation of mango, which seems to have come into vogue only about four centuries back, has helped in the preservation of outstanding varieties, all of which have originated as chance seedlings. According to reliable estimates, there are, at present, over a thousand recognised varieties of mango grown in India alone. If the countless sucking varieties found growing in various parts of the country are also taken into account, the number of mango varieties would become colossal indeed.
In a commercial orchard, selection of varieties has to be restricted to only a few, which are highly productive, possess superior quality and are well adaptable to the agro-climatic conditions of the tract. Experience has shown that different mango varieties are suited for cultivation in different climatic zones. For example, the Alphonso, a prize mango of the coastal areas of western India, has failed to do well in the interior and north India.
Similar is the case with some northern and central Indian varieties, when planted in south India. But this rule does not apply with equal force to all the varieties. There are many instances when certain varieties have done well under diverse climatic conditions. Therefore, it is only through local experimentation and trials that the relative success or failure of a particular variety for a tract can be properly assessed and ascertained.
i. Bombay Green (Malda):
This is an early variety and has fruit of medium size with lettuce-green colour. The pulp is deep- yellow, firm and fibreless. The taste and flavour are excellent. The Sehroli of Delhi is similar to this variety and is believed to be a chance seedling selection of Bombay Green. Another popular selection from the same stock is Bombay Yellow. It starts ripening by the end of June.
ii. Langra:
This is another notable variety which is very popular in northern India. The tree is tall and spreading. The fruit ripens in mid-season (first fortnight of July) and has got a lettuce- green colour. The pulp is lemon-yellow, moderately firm, juicy, creamy and fibreless. It has a very sweet-taste with a fine blend and flavour. Stone is oblong and comparatively small in size. Except for its irregular bearing habit, this variety ranks as one of the best in north India.
iii. Dusehari:
This variety is very successful and is becoming increasingly popular with the growers of north India. The size of fruit is small to medium, with an elongated shape. The skin has got a primuline-yellow colour and is medium thick and tough. The pulp is very sweet, firm and fibreless. The fruit has got a good keeping quality and sells at a premium in the market. The tree, though medium in size, has a tendency towards biennial bearing. Besides its superb quality, the fruit is highly suitable for canning. It is a mid-season cultivar, ripens in July.
iv. Samarbahisht Chausa:
Out of the late varieties grown in the North India, this is most popular. The tree is very tall and spreading but bears rather erratically. The fruit has a medium to large size and is a good keeper. On ripening, its skin assumes uniform yellowish tinge. The pulp is soft, fibreless, and yellowish creamy in colour, has a sweet taste with delightful flavour. It starts ripening from the end of July.
v. Fajli:
This is another late variety, ripening by the middle of August. The fruit is large in size which remains green from outside even on ripening. It keeps well but its quality is not so good. The variety is medium to heavy copper with biennial bearing habit.
vi. Alphonso:
This is one of the finest varieties of mango. First medium in size, oval with prominent ventral shoulder. The fruit colour is greenish light yellow with light pinkish blush towards the proximal end. The skin is thin and smooth, flesh cadmium yellow and firm, fibreless, superb taste, captivating flavour and has abundant juice. TSS 17.5 %, acidity 0.35% and stone is small. The fruit maturity takes place in the first week of July. The tree yields 70 kg fruits.
vii. Banganpalli:
This is most widely cultivated variety of the south and its fruits are sent in Northern India towards the end of April. The fruits are large, flat and weighing 350 – 400 g. The colour is very attractive golden yellow; pulp is fibreless, firm with sweet taste. It is a fairly regular variety.
viii. Totapuri Red Small:
This variety is grown in South India. The beak at the end of the fruit resembles a parrot; hence its name is called Tota (parrot). Fruits are medium to large in size. Flesh is cadmium yellow, fibreless and hard. It is a bit crunchy and tangy. Fruit quality is medium. It has a typical flavour and flat taste. The variety is a regular and heavy bearing type.
ix. Kesar:
It is a popular export variety. The variety is grown commercially in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Fruits are medium in size and oblong in shape. Flesh is sweet and fibreless with excellent sugar-acid blend. At ripening, fruit attain attractive apricot yellow colour with red blush. It has good processing quality and being used for mango pulp. However, the variety is moderate in production but has tendency of biennial bearing.
x. Pairi:
It is a prolific bearer variety of western and southern India. The fruits are medium sized, ovate, very attractive with crimson tinted shoulders on a yellowish green background. The ripening time is mid-May and June. It has tendency of biennial bearing.
xi. Swaranrekha:
This is an early ripening variety and become ready for harvesting by the end of April. The fruit size is medium, ovate-oblong in shape and has fruits of attractive pinkish red. The flesh is slightly fibrous, good in taste with an acidic blend. It is biennial in bearing habit.
xii. Amrapali:
It is a cross between Dushehari x Neelum. It is very dwarf, regular, late and rich in vitamin A content. The fruits are medium sized, green, apricot yellow in colour. The flesh is fibreless and deep orange red, sweet in taste with high TSS (22-24%). It yields, on an average 16 tonnes/hectare and 1600 plants of this variety are reported to be planted in a hectare.
xiii. Mallika:
It is a cross between Neelum x Dushehari varieties of mango. It is reported to be good quality variety with regular bearing habit. Fruit size is medium, shape oblong to elliptic and colour cadmium yellow. Fruit quality is good. Keeping quality is good. It is a midseason variety. It is, however, susceptible to bacterial canker in Northern India.
xiv. Sucking Mangoes:
A good collection of seedling mangoes with good sucking qualities; thin skin, abundant juice of excellent taste and flavour, less fibre, small stones and red blush on cheeks has been established at the Fruit Research Station, Gangian, PAU. The plants of outstanding seven selections under the code names GN1, GN2, GN3, GN4, GN5, GN6, GN7 and GN19 (Gangian Sandhuri) are being propagated for distribution to the growers.
Besides the above varieties, following mango hybrids have been developed in India:
Ratna (Neelum x Alphonso), Sindhu (Neelum x Alphonso), Arka Aruna (Banganpalli x Alphonso), Arka Puneet (Alphonso x Banganpalli), Arka Anmol (Alphonso x Janardan Pasand), Arka Neelkiran (Alphonso x Neelum), Neeleshan Gujarat (Neelum x Baneshan), Neeleshwari (Neelum x Dashehari), Sunder Langra (Sunder Pasand x Langra), Manjira (Rumani x Neelum), Jawahar (Gulabkhas x Mahmood Bahar) and Ruchi (Neelum x Alphonso). Pusa Pratiba and Pusa Shreshtha (Amrapali x Sensation), Pusa Peetamber (Amrapali x Lai Sundari), Pusa Lalima (Dushehari x Sensation).
Essay # 6. Disorders in Mango Fruit:
1. Alternate Bearing:
Alternate bearing is a very serious and an old problem in mango. It is the production of a heavy crop in one year and no crop or very little crop in the next year. Alternation between good and bad bearing years is not always regular because after a good crop year, two or more poor crop years may follow and conversely after a bad year two or more good crop years may occur.
Various causes like varietal differences, growth habit, crop load, cultural practices, sex-ratio, insects-pests and diseases, etc. have been attributed to the occurrence of biennial bearing in mango. Besides, there endogenous level of growth hormones, reserve metabolites and nutrient status had also been considered responsible for the bienniality in mango. Biennial bearing is a characteristic of a variety and some workers emphasised that this is due to the genomic constitution of the particular variety.
Most of the commercial varieties of North India e.g. Dusehari, Langra and Chausa are prone to biennial bearing but varieties of South India like Totapuri Red Small, Neelum and Banglora and regular bearers.
The horticulturists since decades have worked to control this malady but so far no concrete control measures have been put forward. However, application of de-blossoming, pruning, better cultural practices and exogenous plant regulator treatments have shown good results in recent years. Scientists are engaged in hybridizing North Indian irregular bearing varieties with comparatively regular bearing varieties from South India.
The experiments have started yielding encouraging results and as an outcome, a highly regular variety Amrapali has been evolved by crossing “Dusehari x Neelum” by the Scientists of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Recent work to control alternate bearing has shown possibility of using an ethylene releasing compound, ethephon in inducing flowers every year. The concentration of ethephon 200 ppm coupled with 0.1 per cent urea was found effective in inducing regular flowering over the year.
Five sprays in all are recommended to be made beginning from middle of September at monthly interval. Application of paclobutrazol @ 5 g per tree in the tree basin 3-4 months before actual flowering takes place can be helpful in checking alternate bearing.
2. Mango Malformation:
Malformation is a major malady of mango in India causing heavy losses to the orchardists. This disorder is caused perhaps due to environmental factor, mites, virus or fungus (Fusarium moniliformae var. Subglutinans). Mango malformation is widely distributed in India. Maximum incidence has been reported from Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, where more than 50% of the plants are affected by malformation. The incidence of malformation is, however, less in Western and Southern India. Almost all the commercial varieties of mango of North India are highly susceptible to malformation.
On seedling over three months old, swelling appear in the axil of leaves. Small clustered leafy-shoots are produced at the apex on the main shoot or lateral. In the case of Bering trees the panicles are affected. The peduncles become thickened and fleshy with profuse branching. The floral branches are crowded in the form of a cone. Fertile flowers are rare and fruits are seldom formed. The whole mass turns greyish-brown and then black.
A profuse development of numerous small, leafy structures occurs in place of flowers, resulting in a witch’s bloom appearance. Each group of the leafy structures represents a malformed floret. A few or all the inflorescence produced by a tree may be malformed. Off season panicles may also be affected.
Malformation has profound influence on the sex expression of mango because malformed panicles mostly produce male flowers and hence no fruit is produced on these panicles. The fungus (Fusarium moniliformae var. Subglutinans) has been isolated from malformed panicles. Recently, floral malformations like symptoms were also induced by a plant growth regulator known as morphactin.
Different methods of checking malformation like pruning of diseased portions; use of fungicides, plant growth regulators and de-blossoming have been tried with some success. To control this malady, the affected shoots should be removed every month and destroyed. One spray of 200 ppm Naphthelene acetic acid (NAA) in October (Dissolve 100 g NAA in some alcohol and make volume upto 500 litres) is effective in reducing the incidence of malformation.
3. Fruit Drop:
Fruit drop is a serious problem in mango and cause great loss to the mango growers. A tree producing several thousand panicles yields only a few hundred fruits. Most of the flowers are falling down after full bloom or at later stage of development. Only 0.1 per cent flower or even less develops into mature fruit. Maximum fruit drop takes place in last week of April or first week of May depends upon favourable condition. The phenomenon of fruit drop in North India has been divided into three distinct phases e.g. pin head drop, post-setting drop and May drop.
The flower drop as well as the fruit-drop is primarily due to the formation of an abscission layer at the point of attachment of the fruit with the twig. Several factors have been considered responsible for the formation of abscission layer. It has been observed that Nitrogen retards and reduces abscission. Low carbohydrates have also been found to lead to leaf, flower, buds and fruit abscission. Fruit drop has been attributed to many other causes e.g. abortion of embryo, degeneration of ovules, poor soil, inadequate irrigation water, attack of insect-pest and diseases, depletion of nutrients, hormonal imbalance, etc.
Fruit drop may be controlled to some extent by the spray of 20 ppm of 2, 4-D (2g in 100 litres of water) in the last week of April or in the first week of May in Langra and Dusehari Cultivars. 2, 4-D should be dissolved in a small quantity of ethanol or methanol and then the required volume of water be added. Do not repeat the spray of 2, 4-D solution.
4. Black Tip:
The black tip disorder of mango fruits is a very serious problem in mango orchards located in the vicinity of brick kilns. Black tip is characterised by a depressed spot of yellowing tissues at the distal end of the fruit. This spot increase in size with time and also changes colour to brown and finally black.
The black-tip affected fruits almost stop further growth and after premature ripening such fruits become soft, thus these fruits never reach maturity and drop down earlier. The fumes that come out of the brick kilns as a result of burning of coal contain sulphur dioxide, ethylene and carbon monoxide. All these gases are toxic to the young developing fruits of mango.
Control of this disorder consists in:
(i) Shifting the site of brick kilns two km on east and west and one km on north and south of the orchard,
(ii) The operation of the existing brick-kilns should be avoided from February to the fourth week of May,
(iii) Telescopic chimneys, should be 40-50 feet high, if at all, the operations of brick-kiln is necessary during the prohibitive period, and
(iv) Finally the appearance of the disorder can be checked by either spraying 0.6 per cent Borax, three times, i.e., before flowering, during flowering and after fruit setting along with Bordeaux mixture 2:2: 250 or 1.5 kg of copper oxychloride per 500 litres of water.
5. Spongy Tissue:
This disorder is commonly found in the ripe fruits of Alphonso variety. The disorder is manifested as a non-edible, sour, yellowish and sponge like patch with or without air pocket develops in the fruit during ripening. The affected fruits have a bad odour and become inferior in quality.
It is reported that solar radiation which keep soil much heated and that heat emitted by soil by convective flux cause spongy tissue in the mesocarp. Mulching with paddy straw or dry grasses on the soil surface during hot months and early harvesting of fruits reduce the extent of problem. This disorder has adversely affected the export potential of Alphonso. Mango hybrids Ratna and Arka Puneet are free from spongy tissue.
Essay # 7. Plant Protection Measures of Mango:
The mango is attacked at its various stages of development by a number of insects and diseases. If these are not properly checked or controlled, may occur heavy losses.
Some of the most important insect pests and diseases and their control measure are described below:
A. Insect -Pests:
Most of the mango pests have a seasonal activity and usually make serious attacks during one season or the other.
A brief description of biology and control of major insect- pests is given below:
1. Mango Mealy Bug (Drosicha Mangiferae):
This is a major pests of mango in India and does a lot of damage during the flowering and fruiting stage from January to April. During this time, large number of, young nymphs crawl up the trees and congregate on the growing shoots and panicles. Soon after hatching, the nymphs emerge from the soil and crawl up the trees in large numbers from December to April. They suck plant juices thereby causing the tender shoot and panicles to dry up.
Nymphs should be prevented from crawling up the trunk by applying a slippery or sticky band 1 meter above the ground level by mid- December.
i. Slippery Band:
To the basal end of the stem, 15-20 cm wide sheet of alkathene is applied and its upper and lower edge is secured with 2-3 nails (2 cm). It is desirable to cover the lower end with compacted soil around the lower edge of the alkathene sheet so that nymphs are prevented from climbing up under the slippery band. In case of severe emergence, apply 50 g of methyl parathion dust (Follidol 2%) on the compacted soil to kill the nymphs.
ii. Sticky Band:
A 5 cm wide band of Ostico or Esso fruit grease is applied on the trunk. As and when necessary, this can be repeated after scrapping off the crust. The nymphs congregating below the bands should be killed by spraying them with 200 ml of methyl parathion 50 EC in 100 litres of water. In case of the sticky band, a flame can also be used to destroy the mealy bug.
2. Mango Hoppers (Amritodus Atkinsoni Sp. and Idioscopus Sp.):
This is the most destructive insect of mango and is very active during February-March at the time of flowering. The nymphs and adults suck the sap from the tender leaves and panicles which become sticky and sooty. Young fruits and dried inflorescence fall to the ground as the summer winds blow.
The insect can be controlled by spraying the trees in the end of February and again in the end of March with either 1 kg Hexavin 50 WP (Carbaryl) or 800 ml of Malathion 50 EC in 500 litres of water.
3. Mango Fruit Fly (Bactrocera Dorsalis):
Maggots of about half a dozen species of fruit-flies occur in various fruits like peach, plum, fig, guava and attacked fruits begin to rot and fall off. The females lay eggs just below the epidermis of fruit or some time little deeper in the pulp. After, hatching the maggots starts feeding the pulp of fruit and cause brown rotten path on the fruit surface. On cutting, the wriggling maggots can be seen inside the fruits. The fruits fall and maggots come out of fruit to pupate in the soil. Its attack not only reduces yield but also affects the quality of the fruit adversely.
The maggots are found inside the fruits, the pupae in the soil and adults are active fliers, it is, thus, problematic to control this pest. However, the adults are attacked by a number of natural enemies like wasps and parasites. Affected fruits should be promptly collected and destroyed. Ploughing of the field in January-February to expose the pupae to natural enemies can reduce the population considerably.
Another method to control the incidence is to hang traps containing 100 ml emulsion of methyl eugenol 0.1% and 0.1% Malathion from April-June in the mango orchards. About 10 traps are sufficient for one hectare of orchard.
Spray 1.25 litres of malathion 50 EC + 12.5 kg gur or sugar in 1250 litres of water per ha and repeat sprays at 7-10 days interval if infestation continues.
4. Mango Stem-Borer (Batocera Rufomaculata):
The mango stem borers are well-built large long horn beetles of a dull greyish-yellow colour. The grubs inflict damage by boring galleries in the main trunk and branches, ultimately killing the tree or the branch. Wooden frass come out of the surface holes.
To control this insect remove the frass and inject 4 ml of methyl parathion 50 EC dissolved in a litre of water into the hole and plug it with mud.
5. Barkeating Caterpillar (Indarbela Quadrinotata):
The larvae of this insect are principal feeders of the bark and spun a loose brownish web of silken strands in which excretal pellets and piece of bark are entrapped. It has single generation in a year. The moths are observed during April-May. Larvae develop from May- September. Pupation occurs during February-March. The attack is more serious on old trees and neglected orchards.
For its control remove webbing and inject kerosene oil or chlorpyriphos 20EC (50: 50) into the holes during September-October and again in January- February.
6. Mango Shoot Borer (Chlumetia Transversa):
Mango shoot borer is a serious pest of mango especially in nurseries. Adults emerge in last week of March. The eggs are laid singly on the upper side of the tender leaves. Larvae on their emergence bore into midrib or leaf stalk. Later on it enters the shoot which later on dries. Full fed larvae came out for pupation. As a result of its attack the fresh growth of the plant particularly in nursery is checked.
For its control remove and burn the dried shoots.
7. Red Ants (Oecophylla Smaragdina):
Red ants may infest some mango orchards. They are a nuisance and given protection to certain injurious coccids in their nests of leaves formed on the tree. To check this pest, remove the nests and burn them.
8. Mango Scale (Aspidiotus Destructor):
The mango scale sometimes appears as a pest in certain localities. It inflects damage by sucking the sap from leaves. To control mango scale, spray the trees with 500 ml of methyl parathion 50 EC in 500 litres of water during March and September.
9. Bud-Mite (Eriophyes Mangiferae):
The pest sucks the sap from buds and cause necrosis of tender tissues. It is reported to be associated with mango malformation.
To control the pest, remove all malformed panicles and destroy. Spray Rogor @ 1 litre per litre of water during May-June.
B. Diseases:
Mango is subject to a number of diseases at all stages of its development. Almost every part i.e., trunk, branch, leaf, petiole, flower and fruit is attacked by fungi, bacterial and algae. These manifest diseases like rot, die-back, anthracnose, scab, necrosis, blotch, and spots. Some of these diseases have become a limiting factor in mango orcharding in some regions.
Some major diseases and their control measures are discussed below:
1. Powdery Mildew (Microsphaera Mangiferae):
Powdery mildew is one of the worst diseases of mango affecting almost every variety. The disease appears mostly during February- March and sometimes earlier due to congenial temperature and humidity in North India. A whitish powdery growth appears on the inflorescence and the floral axis. The infected floral parts show necrotic streaks and eventually drop. Small fruits may also drop because of the mildew attack on the peduncle.
The branchlets and branches of the floral axis show die-back symptoms and eventually drop, leaving the main axis naked. The disease can be kept under control by spraying 0.1 per cent Karathane (500 ml of Karathane in 500 litres of water) or 0.25 per cent wettable sulphur (1.25 kg in 500 litres of water) once before flowering, again during flowering and then after fruit-set. If need be arises one more spray should be given after 10-15 days.
The timing of the first spray is very important which must be given as soon as the growers observe the very young inflorescence stalks emerging out from the flowering buds. Quantity of spray suspension will depend upon the age and size of the tree.
2. Anthracnose or Dieback (Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides):
The disease mostly affects the tender parts of the mango plant. Young shoots, leaves, panicles, flowers and fruits are liable to attack. On leaves dark-brown necrotic areas appear while on the twigs black necrotic patches are observed during the season. On the rachis of the panicle (both on main and secondary rachis) very small and dark spots appear. When young shoots are infected, the attacked parts show symptoms of die-back. Fruits bearing black spots rot during storage. The spread and dissemination of the fungal pathogen is favoured under conditions of high humidity and frequent rains, which also influence the intensity of attack by the pathogen.
The diseased twigs should be pruned and burnt along with fallen leaves for reducing the inoculums potential. Immediately after pruning in December or January, some disinfectant solution is applied on cut ends of main branches or twigs followed by the application of Bordeaux paste. To the large cut ends of limbs, Bordeaux paint is applied. Immediately thereafter spray all plants with Bordeaux mixture 2:2: 250. During February, March and April and again during September-October, repeat spraying of all plants with Bordeaux mixture 2:2:250 at monthly intervals.
3. Leaf Blight or Twig Die-Back (Macrophoma Mangiferae):
Leaf blight disease has become widespread disease. Minute light brown spots appear on large and green twigs. These spots enlarge and cover more than half of the leaf surface. The inner margin of the lesions is dark brown. The severally affected twigs die-back. Dark brown lesions appear on young and ripening fruits followed by rotting. The measures to check the leaf blight are the same as in anthracnose except applying additional sprays of Bordeaux mixture 2:2:250.
4. Bacterial Canker (Xanthomonas Campestris Pv. Mangiferae Indicae):
The bacterial blight disease has become widespread on almost all varieties of mango. It assumes serious form only in humid areas or in seasons when temperature and humidity conditions become favourable for its spread from the leaves on to the fruits in early stage of development. Leaves as well as fruits both are damaged but fruits become severally attacked and disfigured.
On leaves, panicles and fruits, tiny spots appear in the initial stages; these spots gradually enlarge in area and later form a raised spot on one side of the fruit. The onset of rain, at this cycle of disease, increases widespread dissemination of bacteria which are able to cause severe secondary infection under the prevalent environmental conditions. The disease may assume an epidemic form.
The tissue of the fruit which has been attacked begins to show deep cracks, exudating a gummy substance which is full of bacterial cells of the pathogen. The severely affected fruits drop down and become unfit for human consumption. The bacterial ooze is spread by wind splashed rain. A spray of, 2 per cent Agromycin 100 (Streptomycin) provides the best control of the disease.
5. Stem Canker (Schizophyllum Commune):
The disease causes discoloration and drying of foliage of one or more branches and exudation of gum from the affected bark. Branches may be killed in due course. Small shell-like dirty white fruiting bodies of the fungus, with gills in the lower side, appear in rows on the dead main branches.
The affected trees should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture (2:2: 250) or 1.5 kg copper oxychloride in 500 litres of water at fortnightly intervals.