Protected cultivation of Mango

A. Introduction

• Mango (Mangifera indica) is a tropical and subtropical fruit crop, also known as the “King of Fruits”.
• Traditionally grown in open fields, but modern approaches use protected cultivation techniques to improve productivity, quality, and off-season availability.
• In protected cultivation, practices like high-density planting, pruning and training, use of growth regulators, drip irrigation, fertigation, and plastic mulching are emphasized.

B. Structures Used

• Shade nets (25-35 percent): Used in arid/semi-arid regions to protect young plants from sunburn and wind.
• Plastic mulches: Silver-black mulch commonly used for weed suppression, moisture conservation, and soil temperature regulation.
• Low-cost polyhouse/tunnel protection: For nursery raising and early plant establishment.
• Windbreaks: Essential for protecting young mango orchards in high wind areas.

C. Planting Systems under Protected Cultivation

a. High-Density Planting (HDP)

• 3 × 2.5 m or 2.5 × 2.5 m spacing, accommodating 1,600–2,000 plants/ha.
• Varieties: Amrapali, Mallika, Alphonso, Dashehari, Banganapalli (depending on region).

b. Ultra High-Density Planting (UHDP)

• 5 × 2.5 m or 2 × 2 m spacing, accommodating up to 2,500–5,000 plants/ha.
• Requires regular pruning, fertigation, and canopy management.

D. Variety and Rootstock Selection

• Dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties: Amrapali, Mallika, Neelum, Dashehari.
• Suitable rootstocks: Olour, Vellaikolumban, Kurukkan (tolerant to salinity and drought).
• Selection of scion–rootstock combination is critical for HDP and protected cultivation.

E. Canopy Management

• Training and pruning essential in HDP/UHDP systems.
• Maintain tree height at 2.5–3 m for ease of spraying, harvesting, and uniform light penetration.
• Prune after harvest: removal of diseased, crossing, and overcrowded branches.
• Regular canopy thinning improves air circulation and reduces incidence of pests/diseases.

F. Nutrient and Irrigation Management

a. Drip irrigation: Most efficient method under protected cultivation.

• Young plants: 5–10 liters/plant/day.
• Bearing plants: 20–60 liters/plant/day depending on season.

b. Fertigation: Balanced application of NPK and micronutrients through drip.

• 500 g N, 200 g P, 500 g K per tree/year for HDP (adjusted by age and yield).

c. Mulching reduces evaporation and improves water-use efficiency.

G. Use of Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs)

• Paclobutrazol (soil drench, 3–5 g a.i./tree): Induces regular and early flowering in off-season.
• NAA (20–40 ppm): Reduces fruit drop.
• Ethrel (500 ppm): Used for uniform ripening.
• 2,4-D (10–15 ppm): Improves fruit retention.

H. Pest and Disease Management in Protected Systems

• Common Pests: Mango hopper, fruit fly, mealy bug, thrips.
• Diseases: Powdery mildew, anthracnose, bacterial canker, malformation.

I. Management under protected conditions:

• Sticky traps for hoppers and flies.
• Biological agents like Trichoderma and Pseudomonas fluorescens for soil-borne diseases.
• Netting reduces entry of large pests.
• Prophylactic sprays of fungicides during flowering and fruiting.