Prospects of high density orcharding in mango (Mangifera indica L.) in Eastern India.
Reddy N. N., Mathura Rai, Gangopadhyay K. K.
Author Affiliation: Horticulture & Agroforestry Research Programme (HARP), Plandu, Ranchi - 834 010, India.
Journal of Research, Birsa Agricultural University 14 : 79-82
Abstract : A study was conducted in Ranchi, Bihar, India, to standardize the planting distance between and within rows for the optimum crop density giving a high yield of quality mango (cv. Amrapali) fruits. The spacing combinations tested were: 2.5, 5.0 and/or 7.5 m. The highest plant height (2.32 m), tree girth (37.19 cm), yield per plant (14.55 kg) and average cumulative yield per plant (6.76 kg), and the lowest average cumulative yield per hectare (12.05 Q) were recorded in trees planted at the widest spacing (7.5×7.5 m). The lowest plant height (1.97 m) and highest fruit diameter (27.47 cm) were observed in the 7.5×5.0 m spacing. Treatment with 2.5×2.5 m spacing recorded the lowest tree girth (29.84 cm), yield per plant (6.81 kg), average cumulative yield per plant (3.68 kg) and the highest spread in east-west direction (2.08 m), north-south direction (2.10 m) and tree volume (2.54 m3) indicating a positive correlation of spacing with girth, spread and tree volume. Amrapali was allowed proper vegetative growth in the first three years of planting and subsequently, fruits were harvested from the fourth year (1994) onwards. The yield was recorded in 1994, 1995 and 1997 but there was no fruiting in 1996, showing a tendency of alternate bearing. The highest yield per hectare (15.32, 52.36 and 108.96 Q in 1994, 1995 and 1997, respectively) and average cumulative yield per hectare (58.88 Q) were recorded in 2.5×2.5 spacing. No significant differences existed due to spacing treatments in all the physico-chemical fruit characters except for fruit diameter. The minimum fruit diameter (24.37 cm) was recorded in 5.0×2.5 m spacing.