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A threat to mango
MANGO is one of the most important and ancient fruit of Indo-Pakistan region and is mostly known by its lovers as the king of fruits. It belongs to the family Anacardiaceous and has a prominent position among other commercial fruits because it is the leading cash crop after cotton and rice. Pakistan is the fourth largest mango exporter in the world. Pakistan exported about 82,059 tons of mangoes during 2004 and more than 53,000 tons are exported to the neighbouring and European countries that is, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, France, Malaysia and Singapore.
Mango has varieties like Langra, Dusehri, Chaunsa, Fajri, Anwar Ratol, Sindhri, Sensation, Kala Chaunsa, Sufaid Chaunsa and Malda. These are the most important varieties grown in Punjab and have been known for their attractive colours, savouring smell, delightful taste and high nutritive value.
Mango contains 10 to 20 per cent sugar. It also contains vitamins A, C, B, a small amount of protein, iron, calcium and phosphorus. Ripe fruits are mainly eaten fresh, but are also utilised in preparing squashes, jams and other preserves.
Infantile and unripe fruits are mostly used in pickles. The main land where it is grown in bulk is the province of Punjab, where it is cultivated over an area of 48413 hectares out of 94121 hectares in the country.
In Pakistan Mango is attacked by a number of pests and diseases. The most destructive pests are mango mealybug (Drosicha mangiferae Green), fruit flies (Bacterocera dorsalis), mango hoppers (Idioscopus clypealis) and mango midge (Erosomyia indica).
These are a growing threat to mango orchards as well as to ornamentals plants. These are soft body sucking insects posing a severe threat to the fruit trees. The fleshy flat bodied creatures have a waxy, off-white appearance. They suck the plant sap, congregating in hundreds on the bud, as well as on the branch tips from which the inflorescence/flowers comes out. They deprive the plants of vital nutrients.
It has greatly increased due to lack of proper control measures and unawareness of farmers. These are highly polyphagous, according to a report it feed on more than 70 species of plants. When it attacks on mango it leads to immature falling of fruit. Sadly enough, when the fields are heavily infested, no other fruit can be harvested. Because the immense damage caused by these insects deprive the tree and fruits of its essential nutrients. Furthermore, the excessive and continuous dripping of sap causes wilting and drying of infested tissues. They also secrete honey dews, a sticky substance which encourages fungus development, termed as sooty mould, which interfere the photosynthetic activity of plant. The mould is considered by some growers as a separate disease because it also attracts numerous flies and insects, virtually preventing normal activities under the infested trees. Huge armies of this crawling nuisance leave neighboring trees and move freely everywhere in houses reaching out living rooms, kitchens apartments etc., they are frequently smashed under feet and render the whole dwelling filthy and unpleasant for normal daily functioning of the household. In certain cases they even drop into the wells in huge numbers and render the water. Besides damaging plants and trees, the insect has tremendous nuisance value.
Most people think that April-May is the time when the insect appears in large numbers to attack mango, similarly, farmers thinks that it attacks the orchards during the month of February when it is covered with mealy powder and can be seen clearly on branches. Other reports that they emerge from the exiuvae (shaded skin, molting) present on the trees. Technically the eggs start hatching in the month of December (First week).The first instar after hatching feed on weeds. Mostly travel up at the end of January, after climbing up trees it sucks the sap from the branches and gathers on the terminal tissues from which the inflorescence comes out. To overcome the damage before it actually happens, some steps should be taken in the month of November. For this the research study proves to be very effective in the prevention:
2. Do not apply grease bands on the trunk of mango tree. By applying grease on the trunk the bark bursts and gum comes out as well as the width reduce up to one inch.
3. Advise your neighbours to do likewise, if not then, the branches of their mango trees protruding into your garden will allow the attack of these pests
4. The stems must not touch the walls, electricity poles and other plants like date, palm, mulberry and shishim. Because the insect might crawl up to the alternate sources.
5. Do not be deceived by the name mango mealybug as this insect attacks not only mango but over about 70 other tree species.
6. It is very important to understand the life cycle of mangomealy bug to mark the stage when it should be broken.
7. Agricultural implements used in orchards having an attack of mealybug, should not be used in other clean orchards.
8. Irrigated water and weeds are the chief source of the spread, so when the branch of any tree reaching out on water channel should be trimmed.
9. Malformation (batoor) is also a source of spreading. Do not allow people to take this malformed portion for burning purposes. This should be collected burned or buried.
10. Plants should not be purchased from mango mealybug infested nurseries.
The writers are researchers at the Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
• Many Southeast Asian kings and nobles had their own mango groves; with private cultivars being sources of great pride and social standing, hence began the custom of sending gifts of the choicest mangos.
• Mangos are bursting with protective nutrients. The vitamin content depends upon the variety and maturity of the fruit, when the mango is green the amount of vitamin C is higher, as it ripens the amount of beta carotene (vitamin A) increases.
• The leading mango producer is India, with very little export as most are consumed within the country. Mexico and China compete for second place, followed by Pakistan and Indonesia. Thailand, Nigeria, Brazil, Philippines and Haiti follow in order.
• The fruit of the mango is called a Drupe - consisting of the mesocarp (edible fleshy part) and endocarp (large woody, flattened pit).
• The mango is a member of the Anachardiaceae family. Other distant relatives include the cashew, pistachio, Jamaica plum, poison ivy and poison oak.
• Dermatitis can result from contact with the resinous latex sap that drips from the stem end when mangos are harvested. The mango fruit skin is not considered edible.
• Every part of the mango is beneficial and has been utilised in folk remedies in some form or another. A partial list of the many medicinal properties and purported uses attributed to the mango tree are as follows: anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-septic, anti-tussive (cough), anti-asthmatic, expectorant, cardiotonic, contraceptive, aphrodisiac, hypotensive, laxative, stomachic (beneficial to digestion)....
• Mangiferin - rich in splenocytes, found in the stem bark of the mango tree has purported potent immunomodulatory characteristics - believed to inhibit tumour growth in early and late stages.
http:www.freshmangos.com/factsmyths.html
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