Crop management of mangosteen

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Soils and climate

Mangosteen is a lowland humid tropical forest tree. An equatorial climate, a high even
temperature with high humidity, is ideal. A temperature range from 20°C to 33°C is
desirable. The northern Queensland environment is suitable for mangosteen production.
However, the cool temperatures experienced during the July/August months in northern
Queensland will limit the areas where mangosteen can be grown. They can only be grown
at elevations below 500 m.

Temperatures below 5°C will kill mangosteen trees, especially juvenile trees, and growth is
significantly reduced below 20°C. Leaves become scorched at temperatures above 35°C,
but older trees seem to be more tolerant to extremes in temperature. Providing abundant
soil moisture is available, the above ground conditions do not significantly impact on
mangosteen growth. Irrigation is essential during the dry season.

Mangosteen will grow on a wide range of soils provided it has good water holding capacity.
However, it will not tolerate waterlogged areas. Trees can recover from temporary
waterlogging and prefer a high water table, 1.5-2 m below the surface. A slightly acid soil in
the range of pH 5 to 6 with moderate clay content and a high amount of organic matter is
preferable (e.g. a heavy clay alluvial loam). Liming is not recommended when pH is above
6.5.

Permanently moist soils appear to be the most desirable as this condition maximises
growth, yield and fruit quality. Except for a short period during the dry season (July),
moisture stress can be detrimental to growth. The short period of moisture stress during the
dry season induces flower initiation, which is beneficial. Supplementary irrigation may have
to be applied in months with less than 150 mm rainfall. Although moisture stressed trees
may still crop well initially, the size of the fruit will decrease and subsequent cropping will be
reduced until the trees recover.

Because it is an understorey species in tropical rainforests, the mangosteen requires

shading during early growth and development, and shelter throughout its life. Juvenile trees
need to be shaded or else their growth rates will be substantially reduced and the trees may
die. Shading of 30-50% with Sarlon type cloth rather than with other tree species is
recommended for the first four years. Excessive shading (i.e. more than 50%) produces tall
and skinny trees, which subsequently leads to poor and thin bearing surfaces. On the other
hand, seedlings kept under full sunlight experience:

 stunted growth
 burnt leaves
 reduced leaf size
 reduced flushing frequency
 death.
Shading using other tree species has proven too difficult to maintain. At four years, shade
can be removed between May and June and followed by foliage spray with very dilute flat
plastic paint (1 paint: 20 water) or bentonite.

Windbreaks
Flowering and fruit set can be severely limited by exposure to wind and low humidity.
Planting of windbreaks is necessary in the wet tropics because of the cold south-easterlies
during the cool dry period. Suitable windbreaks are jambolan (Eugenia cuminii), Pinus
caribeae variety hondurensis and Casuarina species. However, the windbreaks will provide
little protection from strong cyclonic winds. Inquire with your local forestry service for other
suitable species.

The benefits of establishing windbreaks out-weigh the initial set-up costs. They improve
yields, particularly during drought, and minimise leaf burn and fruit rub.

Cultivars
There are no identified varieties. No pollen is produced and the fruit is formed
parthenocarpically - directly from the maternal tissue of the flower, like in mango fruit.
Hence the seedling progeny are identical to the parent. Effectively, the mangosteen
reproduces itself vegetatively. However, different types have apparently been found in
different countries, but this is unlikely as tree and fruit characteristics may vary slightly with
different environments. Distinction between the different types is based on fruit size, acidity
and flavour.

There are two distinct fruit types or shapes: the more commonly planted is a round fruit and
the other is ovoid or egg-shaped. Seed of the round type are currently preferred. There is
little information on the production characteristics of the egg-shaped mangosteens.The
yellow mangosteens are much easier trees to grow and bring to fruiting than the purple
mangosteen. However, yellow mangosteens are frequently sour, but when cooked with
plenty of sugar, they make an excellent pie filling. There are several species of yellow
mangosteen:

 cv. mundu (G. dulcis)

 cv. kochin goroka (G. xanthochymus)
 cv. assam gelugur (G. atroviridis).

Propagation and land preparation

Plant seed as soon as possible after extraction. Make sure all the pulp is removed from the
seed. Larger seeds (greater than1.0 g) are generally preferred. Smaller seeds appear to
produce variable germination and are slower growing. Seedling raising mix may be made
up of peat and sand (pasteurised) in a 1:1 mixture. Lay the seed on the side and cover over
with peat. 50 mm peat shell pots are recommended for individual seeds as there is no
transplanting shock. As root bending may occur, place the peat pots on soil and not on a
hard surface.

Re-pot from peat pots when roots begin to penetrate the base. Pots used are usually 250-
400 mm deep and the soil mixture can be made up of peat, loam topsoil, and coarse sand
using the ratio 1:1:2 (e.g.1 peat : 1 loam topsoil : 2 coarse sand). For community pots, when
plants are hard mature or around 2 years, they can be transplanted. The addition of a slow
release fertiliser, such as Osmocote Plus, improves the growth and vigour of the seedling.
Seedlings will need regular fertilising, probably with a complete foliar nutrient spray. Field
plant the seedlings when they are about 50 cm tall. Field planting should be done at the
start of the wet season and watering commenced soon after planting to remove air pockets.

Deep ripping is recommended if the soil is compacted and to improve root penetration. In
areas where waterlogging or ponding may occur, mounding is recommended. Bird manure,
compost, and straw may be incorporated into the planting sites 6-9 months prior to planting.

Planting holes should be larger than the size of the plant containers in which the seedlings
are nursed, usually 0.5 m deep and 0.5 m wide, and the trees should be at least 2 years
from seed and 50 cm tall. Because fruits are formed on the periphery of the trees, plant or
tree density will depend on:

 soil depth and quality

 topography
 plant variety
 irrigation.

Transplant seedling trees just before the wet season in a non-flushing state when they are
around 18 months and about 600 mm height. Mangosteen seedlings can be planted at a
density of 200-280 trees/ha. Minimum distances of 6 m between plants in the row and 6-8 m
between rows are generally used, giving a total of 280 trees per hectare. Trees are later
thinned to 12 m betweent plants in the row and 16 m between rows or hedgerows, leaving
every second row. Some growers interplant with carambola (for short term yields) when
spacings of 12 m by 16 m are used.

Shade must be provided immediately after planting, ensuring foliage is not exposed to full
sunlight for any period. The shade enclosure should be 1.2-2 m above ground level.

Seedling trees and grafted trees are used for commercial plantings. Although there are
some reports of increased growth using G.tinctoria and G.xanthochymus as nurse stocks,
there is still no information proving that earlier or superior production can be achieved from
grafted trees. Grafting has been shown in other tree species to provide precocity, desirable
dwarfness and economy for picking and pruning. However, most Garcinia species are not
compatible with mangosteens. Mangosteen is compatible when grafted on its own species,
but the resulting tree appears extremely stunted and suckers profusely from just below the
graft. The tree is not vigorous, needs to be staked upright and cannot support regular crops.

Fertilising
Mangosteen are low maintenance trees. The fertiliser requirements are low for young trees.
Mature bearing trees will need greater fertiliser inputs to ensure high yields. It is
recommended that you get a soil and leaf analysis done.

Table 1 provides a general guide to fertilising mangosteen trees. The amounts will vary
depending on tree age, stage of crop growth and development, and whether the tree is at a
bearing age.

Dolomite is applied at the rate of 0.2 kg per tree per year of age and then at a constant rate
after year 15. A preplant application of 15 g P as single superphosphate is generally given.
Chicken manure may also be applied at the rate of 2 kg per tree per year. This is thought to
improve the vigour and colour.

Table 1. General guide for fertiliser inputs for mangosteen culture at different stages of growth.

Age Recommendation

1-4 yr. Needs a steady year round fertiliser program.

Non-bearing tress
N:P:K (15:6.5:12) + Micronutrients at 3 monthly intervals at 0.5-1.0 kg/tree/yr

Apply in August, November, January and April. First application made 3-4 months after planting.

Bearing trees N:P:K:Mg (12:12:17:2) at 2.5 kg/tree/yr. Foliar applications of zinc and iron to correct deficiencies.

An example of a fertiliser program recommended by the Malaysian Agricultural Research &

Development Institute (MARDI) for mangosteen is given in Table 2.

Mulching is generally practised. As mulch breaks down, it improves growth rates by

providing nutrients and improving soil structure and soil moisture. Never place mulch
against the tree trunk. 100-200 mm of bagasse, straw and compost is often used and is
applied from near the trunk to 1 m beyond the canopy for young trees and for mature trees.
Mulch can be applied in a 2 m wide band. Mulching is often carried out soon after the wet
season and after July for bearing trees.

Table 2. An example of a MARDI (Malaysia) mangosteen fertiliser program, applied three times per year.

Age of tree (years) N:P:K:Mg compound fertiliser Amount/tree/year (kg)

1 15:15:15 0.5
 Table 2. An example of a MARDI (Malaysia) mangosteen fertiliser program, applied three times per year.

Age of tree (years) N:P:K:Mg compound fertiliser Amount/tree/year (kg)

2 15:15:15 1.0

3 12:12:17:2 1.5

4 12:12:17:2 2.0

5 12:12:17:2 2.5

6 12:12:17:2 3.0

7 12:12:17:2 4.0

8 12:12:17:2 5.0

>8 12:12:17:2 6.0

Pruning
A general maintenance program, such as slashing and/or use of contact herbicides, to
remove competition from surrounding weeds is recommended. During early growth, weeds
around the tree trunk should also be controlled, taking care not to damage the young weak
trees. Pruning of growing trees to remove dead, diseased, broken and misshapen limbs is
good practice. A single trunk to at least 3 m in height is desirable. Dominant side branches
and water suckers should be removed in juvenile trees. Following harvesting of fruit, any
suckers and dry panicles are removed to promote healthy and vigorous regeneration of the
crown. Any large cut surfaces should be treated with a bituminous paint.

Harvesting and postharvest storage

Fruit colour change from green to red is an indication that the fruit is ready to be picked. The
fruit is also quite edible at this stage, but maximum quality and shelf life is obtained from
fruit picked at the uniform red stage. Fully purple coloured fruit is over ripe and undesirable
as it will damage during packing and transport. Fruit is hand picked and is found on the
periphery of the canopy. Pick fruit with the peduncle (fruit stalk) attached. Countries like
Malaysia and Indonesia use a harvesting index to assist in determining the appropriate
stage for picking (see Table 3).

If the fruit is further handled and processed, fruit should be harvested at colour index 3-5
and at colour index 5 (dark maroon violet) for immediate consumption. When picked at
colour index 3-4, the skin is still resistant to mechanical damage during handling and will still
develop the desirable maroon violet colour.

Generally fruit can be harvested 13-14 weeks after fruit set. Yields are variable and 400-900
fruit can be expected at each harvest from mature trees. In Malaysia, the mangosteen tree
produces a yield of about 900 kg/ha in the first year of production and normally reaches
maximum production of 28,000 kg/ha 24 years after planting.

Table 3. Ripening/harvesting stages for mangosteen

Colour index Colour of fruit

1 Pale yellow green

2 Blotchy pink

3 Pinkish red

4 Maroon red

5 Dark maroon violet

6 Violet black

In Queensland, a very heavy crop in a single season is usually followed by a number of

smaller crops in the ensuing 2 to 3 years, although there is no apparent reason for this to
occur. Whilst the main harvest season is March to June, small crops also come in October
to December. A heavier crop in the latter part of the year will often follow a light main crop.
The yield is variable and can range anywhere between 200 and 1000 fruit/tree/yr.

Fruit picked at the appropriate stage ("red stage") have a shelf life of 2-3 weeks at ambient
or room temperature. After that period, the cortex (shell) hardens and it is difficult to open
the fruit. However, the shelf life can be extended to 6 weeks if fruit is stored at 10°C.

Fruits are often cleaned following picking and graded according to the weight of each fruit.
Fruit weight of less than 95 g is preferred. Pack only uniform quality red fruit. Fruit is often
packed in a single layer in polystyrene or cardboard trays, ranging from 25-28 fruit per tray.

Economics and market

Market fresh fruit soon after picking. Due to insufficient production data and a firm idea of
market prices, the economics for mangosteen production is not established. Indications are
that mangosteen production in northern Queensland has about an 8% internal rate of
return.

Yields of 5550 kg/ha and a farmgate price of $8/kg used in calculations indicate a
breakeven period of 20 years for mangosteen, with an initial investment of $191,100
required to establish a 5 ha orchard and with recurrent costs of $73,333/yr. Short term
prospects for mangosteen are poor because of the long period to first fruiting and
commercial harvest. Assuming good culture and maintenance of the crop, complete return
on investment may be probable by the 15th year.