Mango is one of the major cash crops cultivated in Bangladesh. The fruit is known for its versatility, nutritional value, and flavor, earning it the title of the king of fruits. The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute has been conducting extensive research programs to develop new crop and fruit varieties that yield the expected results. As a result of this research, a new technique called tip pruning has been developed to increase the yield and quality of mangoes.
Currently, mango cultivation in Bangladesh is expanding rapidly, from small-scale rooftop gardens to large orchards. The Bari mango-3 or amrapali variety is the most commonly cultivated around homes and on rooftops, and some people even grow it in containers like tubs and drums. In hilly districts such as Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari, mango cultivation is widespread in the form of orchards.
However, the Bari Am-3 or Amrapali variety has been observed to be relatively small in size. Research has shown that this is due to various factors such as the tree shrinking when it bears too many mangoes, inadequate feeding, and aging. Consequently, the market price of this variety is decreasing. Scientists have been working on this issue for a few years, and a solution has been found.
Research conducted by Sharaf Uddin Bari, a scientist at the Regional Horticulture Research Center in Chapainawabganj, has revealed that by tip pruning the mango trees by 30 cm (or about 1 foot) from the tip after harvesting the mangoes in July, the tree can produce higher yield and better quality mangoes in the following year.
Pruning is most effective when carried out in July. It has been observed that 3-4 new shoots emerge from the cut, and almost every branch has a bud when the new branch is 5-6 months old. Using this technology, the weight of this breed has increased from 60-180 grams to 25-400 grams.
Table of Contents
ToggleAdditional Benefits include:
- Increased mango size and quality.
- Effective control of red leaf rust disease for about two years without the need for fungicide application.
- Possibility of growing different crops in mango orchards for 25-30 years.
- Good yields can be obtained without the use of pesticides.
- Helpful for those currently planting trees densely and not achieving desired yields.
- Ability to maintain a small size for the mango tree, creating a beautiful canopy.
- Availability of plenty of fuel.
Field of Application:
Mango trees should be pruned once every 5 years, starting from the age of 5 up to 20 years.
Caution:
- After pruning, apply a balanced fertilizer based on the tree’s age.
- If necessary, irrigate the tree.
- Avoid pruning in August as it may prevent the tree from budding.
- If new tips or buds emerge, apply fungicides.
- If mango leaves are cut, use insecticides in prescribed doses.