Major mango producing areas in Lucknow are Malihabad, Mal, Kakori and Bakshi ka Talab. Dashehari, Lucknow Safeda, Chausa, Langra, Bombay Green and Ramkela varieties are grown at commercial level in Lucknow district. Important pickle varieties of the district are Ramkela and seedlings. Lucknow Safeda, Gilas and seedlings are the main sucking varieties whereas; Dashehari, Langra and Chausa are the main table varieties of Lucknow. Flowering in the mango crop starts during the first week of January that ends during last week of March. Major fruit set period of mango is March. Mango season with local varieties starts from the last week of May that continues up to the first week of August. Mango varieties like Totapari, Banganapalli, Alphonso and Suvarnrekha are imported from other states and are available in local markets of Lucknow. Dashehari, Langra, Lucknow Safeda, Chausa varieties are exported to other states from Lucknow. Dashehari and Chausa varieties are mainly exported to other countries from Lucknow. Veneer grafting, inarching and wedge grafting are the main plant propagation methods of mango in Lucknow. Major sources for planting materials of mango in Lucknow are ICAR-CISH Rehmankhera, Rajkiya Santati Udyan-Malihabad, local nurseries of Malihabad & Mall. Common diseases found in mango orchards are powdery mildew, anthracnose, bacterial canker, gummosis and dieback whereas; hoppers, mealy bug, fruit fly, leaf webber and inflorescence midge are the major insect problems that are found in mango orchards of Lucknow. Besides, mango malformation and fruit drop are the major physiological disorders of mango crop found in Lucknow. Major mango cultivation problems in the district are severe incidence of pest and diseases.
Cultural Practices
New grafts/seedlings are usually planted in the month of July ? September. Generally two irrigations in the month of March-April and May-June through flood and basin system, fertilizer (FYM @ 50 kg/tree and NPK (1:1:1 kg/tree) for more than 10 years of tree) through soil application method in the month of July ? August and ploughing of orchard in the month of September-October are practiced in Lucknow. Imidachloprid and quinalphos are used to control insects whereas; copper oxychloride, sulphur and hexaconazole are commonly used by the farmers for the management of mango diseases. Mango disorder(s) is/are managed by pruning of new flower buds/growing panicles. The fruits are harvested from last week of May? first week of August through local made mango harvester and manual picking.
Harvesting Season and Packaging Technique
Important early season varieties are Bombay Green that harvest during third week of May?first week of June. Dashehari and Langra are important mid season varieties harvest from second week of June to first week of July. Important late season varieties like Lucknow Safeda, Chausa, Mallika, Amrapali and Fazli are harvest from first week of July to first week of August. The fruits are mainly harvested at physiological maturity and mature green stage stages/stage. Mango growers generally prefer morning hours to harvest fruits. Main fruit harvesting tools, commonly used in Lucknow are mango picker made by long bamboo rods & net. Besides, farmers also used manual picking to harvest mangoes. Packaging material mainly used for mangoes is/arecarton boxex, wooden boxes, bamboo baskets, corrugated boxes and plastic crates. Besides, foam mesh sleeve net, tissue paper, polythene, foam, papers are used for wrapping high grade fresh mangoes.. Harvested mangoes are usually transported to the markets through trucks, jeep, tractor trolley, utility vehicles, horse drawn cart (tanga) and bullock cart. Banthara, Dubagga, Malihabad, Mal and Mohanlalganj are major mango markets of Lucknow.
