MANGO CULTIVATION
By PIB Delhi
The mango cultivation in the entire country is not affected by the problem of biennial (alternate) bearing. It is found in patches of North India and has less impact in South India. Scientific studies on biennial bearing in mango, including its causes and regional impacts, have been conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes like ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru and ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow.The studies indicate that varieties such as Dashehari, Langra,Chausa, Fazli and Alphonso are predominantly biennial bearing in habit. The main causes of the biennial bearing is attributed to, inherited physiological trait influenced by genetic factors, nitrogen and carbon reserves, hormonal control of flower formation, climatological factors, cultural practices and crop load.
Various steps have been taken by ICAR to address the problem of biennial bearing in mango. These include development through breeding and promotion of regular-bearing mango varieties and hybrids such as Amrapali, Mallika, PusaArunima, PusaLalima, PusaPratibha, PusaShreshtha, PusaManohari, ArkaUdaya, ArkaSuprabhat, AwadhAbhaya, CISH-Arunika, CISH-Ambika, AwadhSamriddhi,Neelam, Totapuri, Banganpalliand Sonpari etc. The dissemination of quality planting material of these varieties/hybrids to farmers is done through ICAR institutes and registered nurseries. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture has initiated Clean Plant Program for producing disease free quality planting material. Other Steps include development and promotion of improved horticultural management practices such as canopy management, high-density planting, balanced nutrient and water management, climate resilient technology like pruning coupled with application of Nanoflorin to induce regular flowering and application of Paclobutrazol at the pea stage to induce new shoots for supporting fruiting in the next season.
This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
