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MANGO PRODUCTION

Introduction

The mango is an evergreen fruit tree. It is the most widely distributed of all fruits in Uganda. It

flourishes in Districts that are too dry for orange; and in these areas the fruit ripens to a yellow or

orange colour and develops its full flavor. The tree is often planted as a shade tree, although it

may harbor mosquitoes because of its dense foliage. The seeds germinate readily and the trees

are able to compete with the native vegetation and resist bush fires. Most of the varieties grown

in Uganda are consumed locally and are of inferior quality with little commercial value. In the

early 1990s many improved varieties were introduced from Puerto Rico and are being promoted countrywide.

Climate

The mango is adapted to both tropical and subtropical conditions. Temperature range is 21-

25oC. Rainfall of at least 600 mm/year and an altitude of 1,500-2,000 m are ideal for the crop.

The crop is intolerant to saline conditions. A dry period of at least 3 months is necessary for

flowering. The tree requires plenty of sunshine for optimum growth and fruiting.

Soils and site selection

Mangoes require deep soils with good drainage not necessarily fertile but mangoes can thrive in

a wide range of soil types.

Types/Varieties

Three types of mangoes are common in Uganda; small canopy: Florigon, Glenn, Dancan, Early

Gold, Erwin, Palmar, Palvin. Medium canopy and fairly early yielding varieties: Zillate, Pinero,

Alfonso, Apple, Kent, Keitt. Large canopy and fairly early yielding varieties: Boribo, Ssejjembe,

Bire. Bire, Ssejjembe, Ssu and Kate are some of the local selections.

Management Practises Propagation

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It is highly recommended that planting materials for the improved mango varieties should be

grafted or budded (shoot joined on rootstock). This practice reduces time to flowering to 2-3

years instead of 6-7 years if seed is planted. Suitable rootstocks are used which withstand soil

born diseases. Most trees bear 2 times a year.

Grafting of mangoes

Mango budding

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Grafted mangoes

Spacing

Mango spacing depends on the rainfall pattern and soil fertility. In Uganda, the recommended

spacing for optimum plant population is 8m x 8m giving 144 plants per hectare (58 plants per

acre).

Planting

Medium fine field is adequate. Dig holes 60 cm deep and 60 cm wide while separating top soil

from sub (red) soil. Mix well decomposed manure with top soil at 1:1 ratio and put back into the

hole to cover the first 30 cm. Make a small hole within and plant in the grafted seedling. The

plastic bags used for potting should be removed before planting. When covering the hole a basin

should be made around each plant for harvesting water. Each plant should be mulched around

and a cage or perimeter fencing put in place to avoid damage by animals. One month after

transplanting, the grafting tape should be removed. Any shoots, which grow below the point of

union should also be removed.

Watering

When planting is done during low rainfall season, the young plants should be watered at least

once a week to avoid drying. It is also advisable to give water during flowering, where possible,

to avoid flower abortion. Watering after fruit set reduces fruit abortion and increases fruit size.

Fertiliser Requirements

Apply manure once a year at the beginning of the rainy season. Put at least 2 tins per tree,

applied around one metre from the tree. For artificial fertilizers, put about 1 plastic tumpeco

around the tree. Avoid putting too much nitrogen fertilizers to your mango plants during

productive stage. Smoking in the field and cutting the bark of the tree encourages flowering.

Weed management

Slash the orchard regularly. Do not dig through as this will damage roots and cause root rot

diseases. Where mulching materials are available, mulching is encouraged.

Production

Depending on the variety, the time from flowering to maturity is 100-150 days. Under good

management 400-600 fruits per tree per year can be produced. Yield range is 10-16 ton/ha

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depending on management, variety and age of orchard. In the case of improved varieties, fruits

can weigh 0.3 2 kg each.

Harvesting

Harvest mature fruits and with smooth, undamaged skin. Use a long stick with a knife and basket

at the tip or just long stick with knife and clothes or polythehe spread below, off ground to trap

falling fruits for tall trees. Collect fruits in a wooden box with smooth inner surface. Avoid

picking fruits from the ground.

Insect pests, Diseases and their control

Mango can be attacked by many diseases which reduce quality and yield. The major diseases of

economic importance in Uganda are: anthracnose and powdery mildew.

Anthracnose

The disease attacks young shoots, flowers and fruits causing leaf spots, drying twig tips and dark

spots on fruits. Black spots develop on fruits, which leads to cracking. Fruits infected at mature

stage carry the fungus into storage and cause considerable loss during storage, transit and

marketing. Wet conditions favour the disease.

Anthracnose mango

Mango leaves affected by anthracnose

Control

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The fungus has a long survival ability on dead plant parts. The diseased parts should be pruned

and burnt. Remove rotting fruits from the orchard. Where the disease is severe, apply fungicides

before flowers set to reduce flower infection. Fungicide such as Ridomil and Antracol alternated

at 10-15 day intervals at quantities indicated on the package are recommended. Control and

prevention is possible through use of resistant varieties.

Powdery mildew

The sign of the disease is the white powdery fungal growth on leaves, stalks and flowers. Rain

and cool nights are favourable conditions for disease spread. Young leaves when infected

develop white patches and later become curled and distorted. The fungus persists on older leaves

and when conditions are favourable spores are blown onto susceptible tissue.

Mildew affected leaves

Mildew affected flowers

Control

Ridomil, Antracol or Thiovit sprays alternated with Dithane M45 at 10-15 day intervals at

quantities indicated on the package is recommended for the control of the disease.

Spraying can start at the signs and repeated after 2 weeks until fruit set. Once young tissue has

hardened it is no longer susceptible and spraying can be stopped.

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Pests

The major pests attacking mangoes include: fruitfly and mango seed weevil. Minor ones are

scales and mealy bugs.

Fruit fly

This is one of the most serious pest of mango in the country affecting the marketing of fresh

fruits. The female punctures the maturing fruits and lays eggs in small clusters inside the fruit.

After hatching, the larvae feed on the fruit that appears normal from outside. The maggots later

fall on the ground for further growth. When infested fruits are cut open, maggots of the fruit fly

are seen in the damaged flesh.

Mango fruit fly damage

Mango fruit fly

Mango fruit fly spot

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Control

Collection and burying of infested and dropped fruits

Spray suitable insecticide at quantities indicated on the package e.g. Dimethoate, 7 weeks and 3

weeks before picking. Salut and Dursban can also be used.

Mango seed weevil

This is a serious pest of mangoes in the tropics. The female lays eggs on partially developed

fruits. The eggs hatch and the maggots bore through the flesh into the seed where they feed and

develop damaging the seed. There is a discoloration at the point of entry.

Control

Burying by removing fallen fruits and burying them in a pit.

Spraying the trees, especially the stems, with a suitable insecticide e.g Dimethoate or Dursban at

the quantity indicated on the package.