The mango is an evergreen fruit tree. It is the most widely distributed of all fruits in Uganda. It flourishes in Districts that are too dry for orange; and in these areas the fruit ripens to a yellow or orange colour and develops its full flavor. The tree is often planted as a shade tree, although it may harbor mosquitoes because of its dense foliage. The seeds germinate readily and the trees are able to compete with the native vegetation and resist bush fires. Most of the varieties grown in Uganda are consumed locally and are of inferior quality with little commercial value. In the early 1990’s many improved varieties were introduced from Puerto Rico and are being promoted countrywide. Climate The mango is adapted to both tropical and subtropical conditions. Temperature range is 21- 25oC. Rainfall of at least 600 mm/year and an altitude of 1,500-2,000 m are ideal for the crop. The crop is intolerant to saline conditions. A dry period of at least 3 months is necessary for flowering. The tree requires plenty of sunshine for optimum growth and fruiting. Soils and site selection Mangoes require deep soils with good drainage not necessarily fertile but mangoes can thrive in a wide range of soil types. Types/Varieties Three types of mangoes are common in Uganda; small canopy: Florigon, Glenn, Dancan, Early Gold, Erwin, Palmar, Palvin. Medium canopy and fairly early yielding varieties: Zillate, Pinero, Alfonso, Apple, Kent, Keitt, Tommy. Large canopy and fairly early yielding varieties: Boribo, Ssejjembe, Bire. Bire, Ssejjembe, Ssu and Kate are some of the local selections.
t is highly recommended that planting materials for the improved mango varieties should be grafted or budded (shoot joined on rootstock). This practice reduces time to flowering to 2-3 years instead of 6-7 years if seed is planted. Suitable rootstocks are used which withstand soil born diseases. Most trees bear 2 times a year. Spacing Mango spacing depends on the rainfall pattern and soil fertility. In Uganda, the recommended spacing for optimum plant population is 8m x 8m giving 144 plants per hectare (58 plants per acre). Planting Medium fine field is adequate. Dig holes 60 cm deep and 60 cm wide while separating top soil from sub (red) soil. Mix well decomposed manure with top soil at 1:1 ratio and put back into the hole to cover the first 30 cm. Make a small hole within and plant in the grafted seedling. The plastic bags used for potting should be removed before planting. When covering the hole a basin should be made around each plant for harvesting water. Each plant should be mulched around and a cage or perimeter fencing put in place to avoid damage by animals. One month after transplanting, the grafting tape should be removed.
Any shoots, which grow below the point of union should also be removed. Watering When planting is done during low rainfall season, the young plants should be watered at least once a week to avoid drying. It is also advisable to give water during flowering, where possible, to avoid flower abortion. Watering after fruit set reduces fruit abortion and increases fruit size. Fertiliser Requirements Apply manure once a year at the beginning of the rainy season. Put at least 2 tins per tree, applied around one metre from the tree. For artificial fertilizers, put about 1 plastic tumpeco around the tree. Avoid putting too much nitrogen fertilizers to your mango plants during productive stage. Smoking in the field and cutting the bark of the tree encourages flowering. Weed management Slash the orchard regularly. Do not dig through as this will damage roots and cause root rot diseases. Where mulching materials are available, mulching is encouraged. Production Depending on the variety, the time from flowering to maturity is 100-150 days. Under good management 400-600 fruits per tree per year can be produced. Yield range is 10-16 ton/ha depending on management, variety and age of orchard. In the case of improved varieties, fruits can weigh 0.3 – 2 kg each. Harvesting Harvest mature fruits and with smooth, undamaged skin. Use a long stick with a knife and basket at the tip or just long stick with knife and clothes or polythehe spread below, off ground to trap falling fruits for tall trees. Collect fruits in a wooden box with smooth inner surface.
Avoid picking fruits from the ground. Insect pests, Diseases and their control Mango can be attacked by many diseases which reduce quality and yield. The major diseases of economic importance in Uganda are: anthracnose and powdery mildew. Anthracnose The disease attacks young shoots, flowers and fruits causing leaf spots, drying twig tips and dark spots on fruits. Black spots develop on fruits, which leads to cracking. Fruits infected at mature stage carry the fungus into storage and cause considerable loss during storage, transit and marketing. Wet conditions favour the disease. The fungus has a long survival ability on dead plant parts. The diseased parts should be pruned and burnt. Remove rotting fruits from the orchard. Where the disease is severe, apply fungicides before flowers set to reduce flower infection. Fungicide such as Ridomil and Antracol alternated at 10-15 day intervals at quantities indicated on the package are recommended. Control and prevention is possible through use of resistant varieties. Powdery mildew The sign of the disease is the white powdery fungal growth on leaves, stalks and flowers. Rain and cool nights are favourable conditions for disease spread. Young leaves when infected develop white patches and later become curled and distorted.
f you're planning to engage in Commercial Mango Growing, the 4 best species to plant are Tommy Atkins, Apple Mango, Kate (TakaTaka) and Alphoso. They have a very high market demand, they are very high yielding, all are resistant to the notorious Fruit fly disease, they are low in fibre, that means you can blend them for juice or eat them as dessert, they taste very sweet. Seedlings cost between 3000-4,000shs, to place your order for seedlings, please call 0752-200003 or 0776200002 (Whatsapp) or drop us an email at orders@greeninguganda.com
The fungus persists on older leaves and when conditions are favourable spores are blown onto susceptible tissue. Control Ridomil, Antracol or Thiovit sprays alternated with Dithane M45 at 10-15 day intervals at quantities indicated on the package is recommended for the control of the disease. Spraying can start at the signs and repeated after 2 weeks until fruit set. Once young tissue has hardened it is no longer susceptible and spraying can be stopped.6 Pests The major pests attacking mangoes include: fruitfly and mango seed weevil. Minor ones are scales and mealy bugs. Fruit fly This is one of the most serious pest of mango in the country affecting the marketing of fresh fruits. The female punctures the maturing fruits and lays eggs in small clusters inside the fruit. After hatching, the larvae feed on the fruit that appears normal from outside.
The maggots later fall on the ground for further growth. When infested fruits are cut open, maggots of the fruit fly are seen in the damaged flesh. Control Collection and burying of infested and dropped fruits Spray suitable insecticide at quantities indicated on the package e.g. Dimethoate, 7 weeks and 3 weeks before picking. Salut and Dursban can also be used. Mango seed weevil This is a serious pest of mangoes in the tropics. The female lays eggs on partially developed fruits. The eggs hatch and the maggots bore through the flesh into the seed where they feed and develop damaging the seed. There is a discoloration at the point of entry. Control Burying by removing fallen fruits and burying them in a pit. Spraying the trees, especially the stems, with a suitable insecticide e.g Dimethoate or Dursban at the quantity indicated on the package.
For more inquiries, kindly contact us by email info@greeninguganda.com or by phone 0752-200003 / 0776200002 or Whatsapp +256-793-200002 or Visit our offices in Kisubi Entebbe Road Google Map. You can also visit our facebook page for more information Facebook Page link