Prospects of Mango in Karnataka

(Current Season, 2009)

Status of the Current Mango Season:………… “ON - YEAR”

I. Extent of Area and Production:

a) Current estimated total area

under Mango in Karnataka ………...................... 1,30,000 Ha.

b) Prime Fruit yielding area…………………about 80,000 Ha.

c) Non Fruit yielding area:

1. Too young plantations …………………….30,000 Ha.
2. Senile Plantations ………………………… 20,000 Ha.

II. Flowering Pattern in the Current Mango Season:

During the Current Season, the flowering behaviour of Mango orchards

was very peculiar.

The flowering was spread over as explained below:

1. November - December: 1st Phase of flowering occurred during these

two months, caused due to water stress and cold stress. This was early
flowering, compared to the previous year.
During these months, the flowering was to the extent of 75%. The
varieties which flowered during these months were Alphanso, Pairi,
Totapuri, Mulgoa, Beneshan, etc.

2. January - February: 2nd Phase of flowering occurred during these

two months. The Magnitude of flowering during these two months,
was tremendous. Near 100% of flowering has been noticed during this
flowering phase. All the trees which did not flower during 1st Phase
(Nov-Dec), flowered during the 2nd Phase (Jan-Feb). The flowering was
noticed in Mallika, Neelum, Totapuri and all other varieties, including
the stray plants on road sides.
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III Expected Fruiting Season:

Because of the peculiar and stratified flowering season, the

fruiting season is expected to be spread over several months, as detailed
below:

a) Onset of Fruiting Season: March - 2009

(Trees flowered during November are
going to produce fruits)
Pre-poned by 1 month, compared to last
year.
Varieties: Alphanso, Pairi, Sendura, etc.

b) Mid Fruiting Season: April - May 2009

(Trees flowered during December - January
are going to produce fruits during these 2
months.)
Varieties: Alphanso, Pairi, Mulgoa,
Beneshan, Totapuri, etc.

c) Late Fruiting Season: June - July 2009

(Trees flowered during January-February
are going to fruit during these 2 months.)
Varieties: Mallika, Dashehari, Neelum,
Totapuri, (and to some extent Alphanso,
Beneshan, also)

IV. Expected yield of fruits during the Current Mango Season (2009):

During the Current Mango Season, which happens to be an

“ON -YEAR”, the production of fruits is expected to be of the order of
about 8 lakh tons.

V. Pest and Disease Situation (Pestilence):

The early flowering (Nov-Dec) suffered from late rains (Cyclone) and
mists, which led to blossom blight, anthracnose, thrips attack.

The flowers produced during Jan-Feb have been heavily attacked by

hoppers and powdery mildew.
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The Department of Horticulture has organized several field visits with

officers and scientists in all the districts and guided the mango growers on the
suitable control measures. Pamphlets and information folders have also been
printed and distributed in all the Mango growing areas. Seminars have also
been conducted on plant protection in selected mango growing areas.

VI. Training Programmes:

All the Deputy Directors of Horticulture are informed to conduct

technical seminars, covering various aspects on production of quality fruits,
production of export quality fruits, pruning and training, rejuvenation, plant
protection, post harvest, safe / scientific ripening, marketing, etc.

VII. Mango Melas:

During the current season, the Department of Horticulture is planning to

conduct mango melas in all the major mango growing districts. Further, at
Bangalore also, the Directorate is planning to hold melas at Lalbagh for the
benefit of the growers and consumers. Because of early flowering and fruiting,
the Department is going to hold the 1st Mela in the month of April - May
and the 2nd Mela during June - July. During these melas, only the genuine
growers will be allowed to sell their naturally ripened fruits to the consumers in
suitable consumer packages, avoiding plastic bags.