KHANEWAL, Aug 7: Mango variety Shan-e-Khuda (God’s magnificence) or Lal Badshah (Red king), found in four colours — red, purple, green and yellow —- is considered to be the most beautiful looking fruit in southern Punjab, besides being in high demand for export.

The variety was introduced in southern Punjab about eight years back when the growers started planting it in Multan. Now the fruit is available not only in Khanewal but also in other parts of Punjab and of Sindh.

“It exudes an excellent aroma and wears different colours at different stages of its growth,” Sheikh Muhammad Akmal, a grower and exporter, told Dawn.

Elaborating the salient features of the variety, he said it had thick skin which helped preserve freshness of the fruit for a long time. He said the tree started bearing fruit at the age of three and gained the maximum height of 10 feet, giving a high yield every season. All other mango varieties start yielding fruit at the age of eight.

He said 200 saplings of Shan-e-Khuda could be planted on one acre area. Another quality of the variety was that it did not succumb to windstorm and remain intact even in harsh weather, he said.

Mr Akmal said the fruit had high export value for remaining fresh for a longer period. “It has a natural white powder over the skin which also helps preserve its freshness and taste”, he added.