Enhancing Mango Productivity through Sustainable Resource Management

Abstract

Mango the “King of fruits” is the most important fruit crop in India and the area under mango is the largest among fruit crops (2,516 thousand ha) with a production of around 19.69 million tonnes. India ranks first in mango production in the world contributing 41% of the total world production of mango. Among Indian states, with a total output of 4.3 million MT, Uttar Pradesh stands first as mango producing state. (Fig.1).This is followed by Telangana (2.73 million MT), Karnataka (1.75 million MT) and Bihar (1.36 million MT). Particularly in India all stages of mango fruit are used starting from immature to over ripe stages. Mango has specific problem of alternate bearing leading many times to low yields or no yield. Fig 1. Trends in mango production in India The tree is hardy in nature, can be grown in a variety of soils and requires comparatively low maintenance costs. But poor soil, nutrient and water management are the key factors for declining productivity of mango over the years. One of the main reasons for the low productivity is imbalances in nutrient application and inadequate fertilization. An appraisal on soil nutrient deficiencies and superimposing specific crop for district-wise crop based nutrient delineation maps is essential for preparing strategic guide in realizing potential yields of mango by formulating appropriate fertilization schedule. The status of soil fertility in mango growing areas under different agro-ecological regions of India and the district-wise crop based nutrient delineation maps of prime mango producing states of India along with nutrient deficiency symptoms in the plant and their management is presented here.