Standardization of high-density planting in mango (Mangifera indica) under sub-humid alfisols of eastern India.
Vishal Nath, Bikash Das, Mathura Rai
Author Affiliation: Horticulture and Agro-forestry Research Programme, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Plandu, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834 010, India.
Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 77 : 3-7
Abstract : A study was conducted in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, during 1997-2003 to evaluate the growth parameters and yield of mango (Mangifera indica cv. Amrapali) grown under a spacing of 7.5×7.5, 5.0×7.5, 5.0×5.0, 2.5×7.5, 2.5×5.0 or 2.5×2.5 m. Data on vegetative growth were recorded during the on-years of adult bearing plants in 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003, whereas data on yield and fruit quality were recorded every year. Leaf area index and diffusive non-interception was recorded during 2003. At 13 years after planting, plant height was greatest under a spacing of 2.5×2.5 m (4.35 m) and lowest under a spacing of 7.5×7.5 m (3.77 m). Plants under a spacing of 2.5×2.5 (2.86 m) and 2.5×7.5 m (2.80 m) had the lowest values of canopy spread (north-south). Plants under 2.5×5.0 m spacing had the greatest tree volume (56.66 m3), whereas those under a 2.5×2.5 m spacing had the lowest (31.95 m3). Planting at a spacing of 7.5×7.5 m resulted in the greatest trunk girth (60.32 cm), whereas a spacing of 2.5×2.5 resulted in the lowest (54.58 cm). A spacing of 2.5×2.5 m registered the greatest leaf area index (3.38) and lowest diffusive non-interception (0.06) at the end of the 13th year. Under Ranchi conditions, the plants of Amrapali exhibited biennial bearing tendency after 5 years. During the on-years, the yield per tree increased under all spacing treatments except 2.5×2.5 m, for which a decline in yield was observed after 2001. With respect to yield/ha, the highest yield was obtained with 2.5×2.5 m spacing during 1997, 1999 and 2001, whereas the lowest was obtained with 7.5×7.5 m spacing during the on-years. In 2003, the highest yield/ha (13.9 t/ha) was recorded for 5.0×5.0 m spacing accommodating 400 plants/ha. The total sugar and reducing sugar contents were recorded for a spacing of 2.5×2.5 m (8.0 and 1.88%, respectively).