Mango Farming in India: Scientific Techniques for High Yield and Profitability

Mango, known as the "King of Fruits," is widely cultivated across India and enjoys high demand both domestically and internationally. Different states produce a variety of mango cultivars, offering farmers ample opportunities for large-scale farming and profitable returns. By adopting scientific methods, farmers can achieve higher yields in less time. The Indian government has also introduced the National Mango Database to provide farmers with essential knowledge for better cultivation practices.

Soil Preparation:

For successful mango farming, deep, sandy loam soil with good water retention capacity is ideal. The soil's pH level should be between 5.5 and 7.5 to ensure healthy plant growth and maximum yield.

Best Time for Plantation:

Mango is a tropical fruit, but it can also be grown successfully in subtropical regions. The ideal temperature for its growth is 25-27°C, with an annual rainfall of 125 cm being favorable for the crop.

Popular Mango Varieties in India:

1. Mallika – This variety provides a regular yield. Each fruit weighs 200-350 grams, with 73% pulp content, and the yield per tree is 65-70 kg.
2. Sundarja – Known for its aromatic fragrance and consistent yield, this variety produces 300-350 gram mangoes with 76% pulp and 65 kg yield per tree.
3. Amrapali – This variety is highly suitable for high-density orchards, yielding 40 kg per tree, with 75% pulp content.
4. Dasheri – Known for its sweet taste and small seed, each mango weighs 160-200 grams, with 77% pulp content and a yield of 80 kg per tree.

Plantation Techniques:

Mango saplings are generally planted at a spacing of 10×10 meters in conventional orchards, while high-density farming requires 2.5 to 4 meters spacing. Before planting, dig pits of 1×1×1 meter and fill them with a mixture of organic manure, neem cake, and bone meal to enhance soil fertility.

Fertilizer and Crop Management:

1. Young Plants (1-3 years): Apply 2.5 kg farmyard manure, 170 g urea, 150 g single super phosphate, and 150 g muriate of potash per plant annually.
2. Mid-Growth Stage (4-10 years): Apply 10 kg farmyard manure, 800 g urea, 700 g single super phosphate, and 600 g muriate of potash per plant.
3. Mature Trees (Above 10 years): Require 70 kg farmyard manure, 2000 g urea, 1400 g single super phosphate, and 800 g muriate of potash per plant.

Irrigation Management:

Young trees should be watered every 4-7 days in summer and every 10-12 days in winter.
Mature fruit-bearing trees should not be irrigated from October to January to enhance fruit production.

Intercropping with Mango Orchards:

Mango trees take 10-12 years to reach full maturity. Meanwhile, farmers can cultivate moong (green gram), cowpea, chickpea, peas, and okra as intercrops. This not only maintains soil fertility but also provides an additional source of income.

Revitalizing Old Mango Trees:

Mango trees over 50 years old develop dense branches and weakened trunks. To rejuvenate them, apply 100 kg of farmyard manure and 2.5 kg of neem cake per tree annually.

Common Mango Diseases and Control Measures:

1. Powdery Mildew:

1. Symptoms: Affects flower clusters, leaves, and young fruits with grayish-white fungal growth, leading to poor fruit set and premature flower drop.
2. Management: Prune infected parts and spray 0.2% wettable sulfur when flower clusters are 10 cm long.

2. Anthracnose Disease:

1. Symptoms: Causes dark brown spots on leaves, flowers, and fruits. High humidity accelerates the disease, damaging stored mangoes.
2. Management: Remove affected twigs and spray 0.1% carbendazim twice at 15-day intervals to control infection.

3. Dieback Disease:

1. Symptoms: Occurs during October-November, causing wilting and cracking of branches, along with yellowish gum exudation.
2. Management: Prune affected branches 10 cm below the infected area and apply Bordeaux mixture (5:5:50) or 0.3% copper oxychloride spray.

Flowering and Harvesting: Mango flowering begins in February, and one hectare of mango orchard with 100 trees can yield up to 80 quintals of mangoes, generating an income of approximately ₹2.5 lakh per hectare.

Scientific mango cultivation can enhance yield, improve fruit quality, and boost farmer income. By selecting the right land, planting improved varieties, managing fertilizers, and controlling pests and diseases, farmers can achieve higher productivity and better market returns.