High density plantation in marginal soils and processing of mango.
Krishna B., Kale A. N., Dhake A. V., Deshpande S. S., Balsubrahmanyam V. R.
Author Affiliation: Jain Hi-tech Agri Institute (Farm Resource R & D Training, Extension and Demonstration Centre), Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd, Shirsoli Rd, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.
: 447-461
Abstract : Jalgaon is not the traditional area of mango cultivation in Maharashtra, India. The soils in the area are mostly marginal soils, hilly terrain with basaltic 'murum' substratum, alkali and saline alkali soils. A state of the art 140 t/day capacity mango processing plant was established in 1997. Experimental mango plantations have been established during 1996-97 in a 60 ha area. A series of trials are being carried out to standardize a package of practices including evaluation of mango cultivars for yield potential and processing attributes, optimum spacing, irrigation using drip system, fertigation, crop regulation by pruning, optimum conditions for ripening, organic farming and processing of Alphonso and Totapuri mango cultivars into puree, among others. The results of some of these trials showed that mango can be profitably grown under Jalgaon conditions with improved agricultural practices and the puree and concentrate produced by aseptic processing is of world class quality. The results are discussed in detail.