Performance of some Indian and exotic mango cultivars under high density planting in arid conditions of Gujarat (India).
Gunjate R. T., Kumbhar A. R., Thimaiah I. M., Amin S. M.
Author Affiliation: Reliance Agro Initiatives, Horticulture Department, RIL Township, Motikhavadi - 361 140, Dist: Jamnagar (Gujarat), India.
: 347-351
Abstract : One of the biggest mango plantations in Asia consisting of 81?000 trees was established in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India under arid agroclimate. High-density planting (with 666 plants per ha) of Kesar cultivar was carried out from 1998 to 2000. Every 10 rows, 16 other commercial Indian and 8 exotic cultivars were planted as pollenizers. Five rows of casuarina along the periphery and at 250-m interval protect the plantation from high velocity winds from the sea. The entire plantation was fertigated. Paclobutrazol was applied from the 4th year. Growth, flowering and fruiting performance of the entire plantation were monitored. Flowering and fruiting started in 2001. Numerous honey bees and flies were observed during flowering, leading to a high fruit set. Growth and fruiting was maximum in Maya cultivar, followed by Tommy Atkins cultivar. The fruits were spotless in all the cultivars. No spongy tissue was detected in Alphonso fruits. Although problems such as bark cracking were encountered, this unique mango plantation is likely to revolutionize mango production and productivity in India.