This lecture covers the major problems, physiological disorders, pests, diseases, and integrated management practices in mango cultivation. Key issues such as alternate bearing, mango malformation, and spongy tissue are discussed, along with important pests and diseases affecting mango. Emphasis is placed on effective management strategies to ensure sustainable production and improved fruit quality. Important academic keywords include physiological disorders, alternate bearing, malformation, integrated management, and pests.
Introduction to Major Problems in Mango
- Mango faces several physiological disorders, pests, and diseases affecting yield and quality.
- Major problems include alternate bearing, malformation, spongy tissue, and fruit drop.
- Effective integrated management is essential for sustainable production.
Alternate Bearing
Definition:
- Irregular fruiting pattern with heavy crop one year and little or none the next.
Occurrence:
- Common in north Indian varieties; south Indian varieties are mostly regular bearers.
Management:
- Soil drenching with paclobutrazol (5–10 g/tree) induces flowering and increases yield.
- Proper nutrition and irrigation management help reduce alternate bearing.
Mango Malformation
Types:
- Vegetative malformation (common in seedlings and young plants).
- Floral malformation (affects bearing trees, reduces productivity).
Symptoms:
- Bunchy top: compact leaves at shoot apex; arrested shoot growth.
- Malformed panicles in floral malformation.
Management:
- Deblossoming and spraying 200 ppm NAA reduce malformed panicles.
- Remove and destroy affected shoots and panicles.
Black Tip Disorder
Symptoms:
- Distal end of fruit turns black, hardens, and ripens prematurely.
- Affected fruits become unmarketable.
Causes:
- Smoke from brick-kilns (CO, CO2, SO2, acetylene) within 600 m.
Management:
- Increase chimney height of brick-kilns.
- Spray borax (0.6%) at 10–14 day intervals from fruit set.
Clustering (Jhumka)
Symptoms:
- Cluster of small, dark green fruitlets at panicle tip (bunch tip).
- Fruitlets grow to marble size, then growth ceases.
Causes:
- Adverse climate, especially low temperature during February–March.
- Poor embryo development.
Management:
- Protect trees from adverse weather; select tolerant varieties.
Spongy Tissue
Occurrence:
- Specific to Alphonso mango; affects export quality.
Symptoms:
- Normal external appearance; internal flesh patch is spongy, yellowish, and sour.
Causes:
- High temperature, convective heat, post-harvest sun exposure.
Management:
- Use sod culture and mulching to reduce incidence.
- Harvest at three-fourths maturity.
- Use resistant hybrids (e.g., Ratna, Arka Puneet).
Fruit Drop and Use of Growth Regulators
Problem:
- High fruit drop rate, especially in first four weeks after fruit set (up to 99%).
Management:
- Regular irrigation during fruit development.
- Timely pest and disease control.
- Apply NAA (50 ppm) or 2,4-D (20 ppm) six weeks after fruit set.
Major Pests of Mango and Their Management
Mango Hopper (Idioscopus spp., Amritodus atkinsoni):
- Spray phosalone 0.05%, carbaryl 2 g/L, or phosphamidon 1 mL/L.
Nut Weevil (Cryptorrhynchus mangiferae):
- Maintain orchard cleanliness; destroy adults in bark crevices.
- Spray fenthion 0.1%.
Stem Borer (Batocera rufomaculata):
- Apply monocrotophos 36 WSC (10 mL/tree) via padding.
- Apply carbofuran 3G (5 g/bore hole) and plug with mud.
Fruit Fly (Bactrocera spp.):
- Plough interspaces to expose pupae.
- Use methyl eugenol traps; remove and bury fallen fruits.
Major Diseases of Mango and Their Management
Powdery Mildew (Oidium mangiferae):
- Apply sulphur dust (350 mesh) in early morning.
- Spray wettable sulphur 0.2% or tridemorph 0.05%.
Anthracnose and Stalk/End Rot (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides):
- Spray mancozeb 0.2% or carbendazim 0.1% preharvest, 3 times at 15-day intervals.
Sooty Mould (Capnodium spp.):
- Spray dimecron 0.03% + maida 5% (1 kg maida/starch boiled in 1 L water, diluted to 20 L).
Integrated Management Practices and Summary
- Adopt integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) for sustainable mango production.
- Combine cultural, chemical, and biological methods for effective control.
- Regular monitoring and timely interventions are crucial.
- Use resistant varieties and proper orchard sanitation.
Objective Questions
Q1. Which chemical is used for flower induction in mango?
A. Paclobutrazol
B. Mancozeb
C. Fenthion
D. Carbofuron
Answer: A
Q2. Which type of mango malformation is more common in nursery seedlings and young plants?
A. Floral malformation
B. Vegetative malformation
C. Black tip
D. Spongy tissue
Answer: B
Q3. What is the main cause of black tip disorder in mango?
A. High temperature
B. Smoke from brick-kilns
C. Insect infestation
D. Boron deficiency
Answer: B
Q4. Which mango disorder is specific to the Alphonso variety?
A. Black tip
B. Spongy tissue
C. Clustering (Jhumka)
D. Mango malformation
Answer: B
Q5. Which growth regulator is recommended at 50 ppm to reduce fruit drop in mango?
A. 2,4-D
B. NAA
C. Paclobutrazol
D. Tridemorph
Answer: B
Q6. Which pest can be controlled by spraying phosalone 0.05% or carbaryl 2 g/litre?
A. Nut weevil
B. Mango hopper
C. Fruit fly
D. Stem borer
Answer: B
Q7. What is the recommended method to control stem borer in mango trees?
A. Ploughing interspaces
B. Padding with monocrotophos
C. Spraying Mancozeb
D. Spraying sulphur dust
Answer: B
Q8. Which practice helps reduce the incidence of spongy tissue in Alphonso mango?
A. Spraying borax
B. Sod culture and mulching
C. Raising chimney height
D. Application of NAA
Answer: B
Q9. Which disease is managed by spraying Mancozeb 0.2% or Carbendezim 0.1% preharvest?
A. Powdery mildew
B. Sooty mould
C. Anthracnose
D. Black tip
Answer: C
Q10. What is a characteristic symptom of clustering (Jhumka) in mango?
A. Blackened fruit tip
B. Spongy yellowish flesh
C. Cluster of fruitlets at panicle tip
D. Compact leaves in a bunch
Answer: C
