Mango tree - Mangifera indica

Description and Uses

Mangifera indica (Mango tree) is a tropical tree from South India. It is mainly grown for its fruit crops (medium shelflife), but also Other uses include; alcohol, apiculture, fruit, fuel, mulch, ornamental, tannin and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by hand picking. It starts flowering after 4 - 6 years. The first yield will be 2.5 kg but in its top season there will be a yield of 15 kg. The fruit is edible. Medical uses include; it is medically used as anti-arthritic activity. The - contains - n/a - (0% - 0%). There is Mango leaf oil extracted by steam distillation from the tree`s fresh leaf yielding 0.1 - 1% oil. The tree`s wood is called Mango wood and has a density of 550 - 550 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is slow, its energetic value is 4200 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 90 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Mangifera indica has a lifespan of 300 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 20 meters tall. It is slow growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Mangifera indica has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations it has symbiotic associations with the Glomus intraradices fungus. (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The tree`s flower-morphology is monoecious and is pollinated by bees. Mangifera indica is evergreen and not allelopathic and has no thorns.

Mangifera indica thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1200 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 5°C and optimally between 24 - 27°C. The optimal rainfall is 1550 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 300 - 2500 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind a bit tolerant and to fire intolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

Ceratitis capitata,Cryptorrhynchus mangiferae,Rastrococcus invadens,Rhytidodera simulans and Anthracnose,Bacterial cancer,Fusarium wilt,Powdery mildew diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are recalcitrant and can be stored for 1 months. There are approximative 10 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds in water or in the fruit at room temperature, (3) Remove the seeds from cold to a permanent warm temperature., (3) Seeds germinate above ground (epigeous)

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