Mango, Mangifera indica, breeding programme.
Morales L. G., Lima H.
Author Affiliation: Estación Nacional de Frutales, Ministerio de la Agricultura, Havana, Cuba.
Ciencia y Técnica en la Agricultura, Cítricos y Otros Frutales 5 : 85-98
Abstract : The origins and biology of the mango as a crop are surveyed, with particular reference to work published on flowering, fruit setting and development, polyembryony, alternate bearing and breeding techniques used to overcome specific problems. It is pointed out that little is known about the genetic basis of the inheritance of important characters in this crop, except that it is usually quantitative. A brief account is given of the current situation in Cuba, where only 2 rootstocks and 5 varieties are in large scale cultivation, though a few others are gaining in popularity. Immediate and longer term breeding aims are listed. Current work includes the screening of collections for resistance to Oidium mangiferae and Glomerella cingulata, for regularity of bearing and for suitability of the fruit for canning. Useful genetic markers are also being sought.