ISHS Acta Horticulturae 820: VIII International Mango Symposium
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR INDIAN MANGO CULTIVARS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE |
| Author: | R.J. Campbell |
| Keywords: | Mangifera indica, irrigation, fertility, post harvest, breeding, selecting |
| Abstract:
The modern mango industry continues to adapt to changes in consumer demands for fresh mangos and mango products. Producers in the Western Hemisphere are increasingly interested in alternative mango cultivars for the fresh and processed markets. Of particular interest are newer cultivars from modern breeding programs, and heirloom cultivars of Indian origin, such as ‘Alphonse’, ‘Imam Pasand’, ‘Mallika’, ‘Neelum’, ‘Panchadarakalsa’, and ‘Pedda Rasam’. The objective is to capitalize on the exceptional flavor, pulp color and brix content, often for the production of juices and frozen pulp. However, production and post harvest programs in the Western Hemisphere are often not compatible with these cultivars. Grower expectations must be adjusted. In the hot tropics, Indian cultivars such as ‘Alphonse’ have considerable problems with natural and induced flowering, resulting in inconsistent, low yields compared to ‘Tommy Atkins’. For the majority of the Indian cultivars, irrigation programs must be adapted to reduce the frequency and amount of water applied to promote proper flowering, fruit set, disease incidence and fruit quality. Post harvest handling techniques have been developed over centuries in India for local cultivars. Current Western Hemisphere harvesting and post harvest handling practices must be modified for these cultivars to produce the desired fruit quality. Indian cultivars were not selected for a post harvest cold chain and exposure of the fruit to standard export temperatures and techniques can result in loss of quality. Growers in the Western Hemisphere must be aware of the challenges involved with the production of Indian mango cultivars to fully realize the desired benefits. | |
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