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• Mango (Mangifera indica) is known as the ‘king of fruits’ in India.
• India accounts for about 56% of global mango production.
• Major producing states: Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat.
• Mango contributes nearly 39.5% of India’s total fruit production.

• Grows in alluvial to lateritic soils; avoid poorly drained black cotton soils.
• Prefers slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5–7.5); poor growth above pH 7.5.
• Good drainage is essential for healthy growth.

Climate:

• Tropical to subtropical; can be grown up to 1,100 m above sea level.
• Optimal temperature: 24–27°C; higher temperatures improve fruit quality.
• Requires 25–250 cm annual rainfall; avoid high humidity and frost during flowering.

• Over 1,000 varieties exist; about 20 are commercially important.
• Popular varieties: Alphonso, Banganapalli, Bombay Green, Chausa, Dashehari, Fazli, Gulab Khas, Himsagar, Kesar, Kishenbhog, Langra, Mankurad, Neelum, Pairi, Totapuri.
• Varietal preference varies by state and region.
• North Indian varieties often alternate-bearers; South Indian varieties are generally regular-bearers.

• Mango is highly heterozygous and cross-pollinated.
• Polyembryonic varieties (mainly in South India) can be grown from seed; monoembryonic (North India) require vegetative propagation.
• Common propagation methods: inarching, veneer grafting, side grafting, epicotyl/stone grafting.
• Rootstock seedlings are raised from fresh seeds (sown within 4–5 weeks of extraction).

• Planting systems: square, rectangular, and hexagonal; square and rectangular are most common.
• Spacing depends on variety vigor and cropping system; typically 10–12 m for traditional planting.
• Pits of 1 m × 1 m × 1 m are prepared and filled with well-rotted farmyard manure.
• Planting is best done during the rainy season (June–September).

• High-density planting increases yield per unit area.
• Amrapali is suitable for high-density planting (2.5 m × 2.5 m spacing).
• Paclobutrazol (2 ml/tree) induces flowering in off-years.
• Pruning and use of dwarfing rootstocks (e.g., Vellaikolumban) help manage tree size.

• Training is essential in early years to develop a strong framework.
• Proper branch spacing facilitates intercultural operations.
• Pruning is minimal; mainly removal of diseased, dead, or crossing branches.

• Apply 73 g N, 18 g P2O5, 68 g K2O per year of age (up to 10 years).
• After 10 years: 730 g N, 180 g P2O5, 680 g K2O per tree/year in two split doses (June–July, Sept–Oct).
• Correct micronutrient deficiencies with foliar sprays: 0.3% zinc sulphate, 0.5% borax, 0.5% manganese sulphate.

Irrigation:

• Young plants (up to 2 years) require regular watering (about 30 L/week).
• Irrigation during pre-flowering and fruit set increases yield.
• Established trees: irrigate at 10-day intervals after fruit set.

• Intercropping reduces weed growth and nutrient loss.
• Suitable intercrops: blackgram, wheat, brinjal, onion.
• Cover crops like sunhemp, cowpea, and pea help prevent soil erosion.

• Harvest mangoes with pedicel to reduce injury and fungal infection.
• Average yield: 8 tonnes/ha; 1,000–2,000 fruits/tree during bearing age.
• Sort and grade fruits by size; use proper packaging (perforated cardboard boxes preferred).
• Store mature green mangoes at 5–16°C; avoid chilling injury.
• Postharvest treatments: waxing, hot-water treatment, individual wrapping, hydro-cooling extend shelf life.

• Mango thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soils and warm, humid climates.
• Choose suitable varieties and hybrids for region and market demand.
• Adopt high-density planting and proper nutrient management for higher productivity.
• Intercropping and postharvest care improve sustainability and fruit quality.

• Botanical name: Malus domestica; Family: Rosaceae
• Origin: Central Asia, including Caucasus and Hindu-Kush Himalayan region
• Chromosome number: 2n = 34, 51, 68 (x = 17)
• Genus Malus has about 25 species

• Major temperate fruit crop, rich in carbohydrates, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium
• Introduced in India in 1865 (Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh)
• Commercially grown in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand
• Also cultivated in NE states and Nilgiri hills
• India: ~2.8 lakh ha area, ~1.77 million tonnes production

• Requires 1000–1600 chilling hours; low-chill varieties need 500–800 hours
• Optimal summer temperature: 21–24°C; pollination best at 18–22°C
• Frost-free spring, mild summer, and 100–125 cm well-distributed rainfall ideal
• Prefers deep, fertile, loamy soils with pH 6.0–6.5 and good drainage

• Family: Rosaceae; Genus: Malus
• Important species: M. domestica (edible apple), M. floribunda (flowering crab), M. baccata (Siberian crab), M. coronaria (American crab), M. angustifolia (narrow-leaved crab)
• Crab apples used as pollinizers and ornamentals

• Early: Irish Peach, Benoni, Tydeman’s Early Worcester, Mollies Delicious, Anna
• Mid-season: Starking Delicious, Red Delicious, Rich-a-Red, Top Red, Scarlet Gala
• Late: King Pippin, Golden Delicious, Red Fuji, Granny Smith, Mutsu
• Spur types: Red Chief, Oregon Spur, Silver Spur, Well Spur
• Low-chill: Michal, Schlomit, Anna, Vered, Tropical Beauty

• Red Delicious: Large, oblong-conical, greenish-yellow with red streaks, ripens August
• Starking Delicious: Limb sport of Red Delicious, large, conical, yellow with red stripes
• Fuji: Pink speckled flush, crisp, juicy, late-maturing
• Black Diamond: Rare, purple skin, grown at high altitude (Tibet)
• Mutsu: Cross of Golden Delicious × Indo, large, green to yellow, late, good pollinizer

• Pollinizers: Golden Delicious, Red Gold, Tydeman’s Early Worcester, Granny Smith, Winter Banana
• Flowering crabs (e.g., Malus floribunda) also used as pollinizers
• Colour sports: Red Chief, Oregon Spur, Super Chief, Vance Delicious, Top Red

• Scientific name: Quadraspidiotus perniciosus
• Polyphagous, sucks sap from aerial parts, reduces vigour and fruit quality
• Symptoms: Grey overlapping scales on bark, poor fruit set
• Management: Spray 2% dormant oil or 1.5% summer oil at appropriate stages; 0.04% chlorpyriphos after petal fall

• Scientific name: Eriosoma lanigerum
• Colonies form white woolly masses on aerial parts and roots
• Damage: Sap sucking, gall formation, stunted growth, reduced fruit set
• Management: Spray 0.04% chlorpyriphos in May–June and October; use resistant rootstocks (Malling Merton series)

• Pathogen: Venturia inaequalis
• Symptoms: Olive green to black spots on leaves and fruits, leaf curling, fruit cracking
• Management: Scheduled sprays of dodine, mancozeb, carbendazim, zineb at key growth stages; 5% urea post-harvest

• Apple trees start bearing from 4th year onwards
• Maturity: Change in ground colour, seed colour, and ease of fruit detachment
• Harvesting time depends on variety and region
• Average yield: 10–20 kg/tree/year in well-managed orchards

• Select suitable varieties and pollinizers for region and climate
• Ensure proper chilling, soil, and water management
• Implement regular pest and disease monitoring and control
• Follow recommended harvesting and post-harvest practices for quality fruit