Progress made on mango cultivar evaluation program.
Lagadec M. D. le, Conradie W.
Author Affiliation: Merensky Technological Services, P.O. Box 14, Duivelskloof 0835, South Africa.
: 150-153
Abstract : During the 1999/2000 mango season, Merensky Technological Services (MTS) was requested to carry out semi-commercial evaluations of eight mango cultivars for The South African MAngo Growers' Association, namely 'Chené', 'Joa', 'Manzanillo', 'Osteen', 'Marika', 'A2F11', 'Lily' and 'N9'. Forty young 'Sabre' trees were top worked to each cultivar but have not yet born fruits. However, some fruits were obtained from other mango growers and evaluated. 'Chené', 'Joa', 'Manzanillo' and 'Osteen' were evaluated for the second consecutive season. 'Chené' is an attractive, early to mid-season, red skinned cultivar but the taste becomes insipid in storage. 'Joa' fruits from six-year-old trees rated very well but fruits from first-year-bearing top worked trees developed internal browning problems in cold storage. 'Manzanillo' fruits closely resemble those of 'Kent' and develop a good blush. As with the previous year's evaluation, their external and internal quality was very good. 'Manzanillo' is, however, very susceptible to bacterial black spot [Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae] and seems to be susceptible to anthracnose [Glomerella cingulata]. 'Osteen' is a mid- to late season, red skinned cultivar. The fruits are large and the tree is heavy bearing. The internal fruit quality is good. 'Marika' fruits from first-year-bearing top worked trees proved very disappointing. The fruits showed poor colour development and high incidence of internal problems. A few 'Lily' fruits were evaluated for the first time this season. This mid-season cultivar has an excellent external appearance but the taste is insipid. This cultivar will not be reevaluated in the coming season. The remaining two cultivars, 'A2F11' and 'N9', were not evaluated since fruits were not available.