Know Your Mangoes

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tru.anshul

Anshul is a Thinker, Writer and Orator who likes to blend Dreams with Pragmatism. Instilled with Optimism he believes that Hope, Courage, Love and Laughter are the building blocks of the Human race. Through his writing, he intends to promote these four realms which are mostly confined in the shelves of our closets while we Run around the World in search of them.
On the Professional front Anshul is a Published Author with a book Titled "STUCK!"

History and Science

The scientific name for Mango is Mangifera Indica. Species of this flowering plant are Indigenous(found to be originated) to the Indian Subcontinent. The earliest known written reference to the cultivation of Mango in India goes back to 2000 BC i.e about 4000 years back (to figure out how many years ago any date in B.C. occurred, simply add 2,000 years). Mango seeds traveled with humans from Asia to the Middle East, East Africa and South America beginning around 300 AD i.e about 1700 years ago (to figure out how many years ago any date in AD occurred subtract it from 2,000 years). My apologies to have distracted your mind onto calculations, let’s return to the sweetness of the Mangoes.

There is a lot of history which can be found about the fruit on various online portals and trust me if you are not a student of botany (or writing an article on Mangoes!) you need not bother your mind with that research. One thing though we must acknowledge is that Mangoes have played an appreciable role in Indian Agriculture and civilization. Mango is mentioned by Hendrik van Rheede, the Dutch commander of the Malabar region in his 1678 book, Hortus Malabaricus, about plants having economic value.

When mangoes were first imported to the American colonies in the 17th century, they had to be pickled because of lack of refrigeration. Some Tamil literary texts trace back the existence of the fruit to as late as 5th Century and it seems perfectly logical. Well, if Apples existed in times of Lord Shiva why not Mangoes? (remember those blessings of bearing a child which came in the form of apples as a boon from the Sages?).

Why are there so many Varieties of Mangoes?

Have you ever wondered why there exist so many varieties of Mangoes? It has been found that there are almost over a Thousand varieties of Mangoes throughout the world. With the new cultivation methods being experimented the count is estimated to only go up. But how? A simple answer to this is the process of Cross Pollination. To understand it in simple terms lets first agree that plants reproduce, a process which involves a male and a female part. When pollen from the Stigma(Male part) of one flower is delivered to the Stigma(Female Part) of a flower of another plant then cross-pollination takes place. You can think of it of something like the “Neighbour Affair” or you can read more about Pollination here. The helping elements in the process can range from Butterflies and insects to even Winds.

There are hundreds of Mango Cultivars (a term referred to the classification of cultivated plants) that exist in the world. In Mango orchards, various cultivars are often grown together to improve cross-pollination. In India alone, there are as many as 283 types of Mangoes out of which 30 are well known.

Next time you see those baskets of Alphonso, Dussheri and Badami Mangoes in the Market thanks to the Butterflies for the pollen transfers.

Monoembryonic and Polyembryonic Seeds of Mangoes

The sound of it might make you believe that we are getting into too much of Biology (the one you hated at school?) but believe me guys you need to know this and I will try and present it in as simple terms as possible.

A Monoembryonic seed is the one which has only one embryo (that was easy to guess!). The Monoembryonic seeds produce seedlings which are always a result of cross-pollination. While the Polyembryonic seeds produce seedlings out of which only one is the product of cross-pollination while all the others are the exact clone of the mother plant. Again, in simple terms, A mono-embryonic seed when planted will never produce the same exact replica of itself while the seed from a Polyembryonic plant will. So, if you want to plant orchards with the exact same variety of plant it is easier for a Polyembryonic plant seed. However, if you want to have a different variety (which could be superior or inferior to the parent) you use the mono-embryonic seed.

Most mangoes found in India like the Alphonso, Neelum, etc are Mono-embryonic while those grown in China and some in the United States are Polyembryonic.

Next time the shopkeeper tries to fool around saying “Try these ones, they are very Sweet” ask him are they Monoembryonic or Polyembryonic and he might charge you a decent price for your exaggerated knowledge of Mangoes.

Commercially Grown Varieties of Mangoes in India

As mentioned there are over a 1,000 varieties of Mangoes in India but only about 20 to 30 are commercially grown. If you are a prolific Mango lover and still haven’t heard about most of them there is nothing to be disappointed about. You are on the right page and within minutes your Mango knowledge is going to be enlightened.

Alphonso: This is the leading commercial variety of Maharashtra state and one of the choicest varieties of the country. This variety is known by different names in different regions, viz. Badami, Gundu, Khader, Appas, Happus and Kagdi Happus. The fruit of this variety is medium in size, ovate oblique in shape and orange-yellow in color. The fruit quality is excellent and keeping quality is good. It has been found good for canning purpose. It is mainly exported as fresh fruit to other countries and is a midseason variety.
Bangalora : It is a commercial variety of South India. The common synonyms of this variety are Totapuri, Kallamai, Thevadiyamuthi, Collector, Sundersha, Burmodilla, Killi Mukku, and Gilli Mukku. The fruit size is medium to large, its shape is oblong with necked base and color is golden yellow. Fruit quality is poor but keeping quality is very good. It is widely used for processing and is a midseason variety.
Banganapalli : It is a commercial variety of mango from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Chapta, Safeda, Baneshan and Chapai. Fruit is large in size and obliquely oval in shape. The colour of the fruit is golden yellow. Fruit quality and keeping quality are good. It is a mid season variety and is good for canning.
Bombai : It is a commercial variety from Bihar state. It is also known as Malda in West Bengal and Bihar. Fruit size is medium, shape ovate oblique and colour is yellow. Fruit quality and keeping quality are medium. It is an early season variety.
Bombay Green : It is commonly grown in north India due to its early fruiting quality. It is also called Malda in northern India. Fruit size is medium, shape ovate oblong and fruit colour is spinach green. Fruit quality is good and keeping quality is medium. It is a very early season variety.
Dashehari : This variety derives its name from the village Dashehari near Lucknow. It is a leading commercial variety of north India and one of the best varieties of our country. The fruit size is small to medium, shape is oblong oblique and fruit colour is yellow. Fruit quality is excellent and keeping quality is good. It is a mid season variety.
Fajri : This variety is commonly grown in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Fruit is very large, obliquely oval in shape. The colour is light chrome. Fruit quality and keeping quality are medium. This is a late season variety.
Fernandin : This is one of the oldest varieties of Bombay. Some people think that this variety originated in Goa. Fruit size is medium to large, fruit shape is oval to obliquely oval and fruit colour is yellow with a blush of red on shoulders. Fruit quality and keeping quality are medium. It is a late season variety.
Himsagar : This variety is indigenous to Bengal. This is one of the choicest varieties of Bengal and has gained extensive popularity. Fruit is of medium size, ovate to ovate oblique in shape Colour is yellow. Fruit quality and keeping quality are good. It is an early season variety.
Kesar : This is a leading variety of Gujarat with a red blush on the shoulders. Fruit size is medium, shape oblong and keeping quality is good. It is an early season variety.
Kishen Bhog : This variety is indigenous to Murshidabad in West Bengal. Fruit size is medium, fruit shape oval oblique and fruit colour is yellow. Fruit quality and keeping quality are good. It is a mid season variety.
Langra : This variety is indigenous to Varanasi area of Uttar Pradesh. It is extensively grown in northern India. Fruit is of medium size, ovate shape and lettuce green colour. Fruit quality is good but keeping quality is medium. It is a mid season variety.
Mankurad : This variety is of commercial importance in Goa and in the neighbouring Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. The variety develops black spots on the skin in rainy season. Fruit is medium in size, ovate in shape and yellow in colour. Fruit quality is very good but keeping quality is poor. It is a mid season variety.
Mulgoa : This is a commercial variety of South India. It is quite popular among the lovers of Mango owing to high quality of its fruit. Fruit is large in size, roundish oblique in shape and yellow in colour. Fruit quality and keeping quality are good. It is a late season variety.
Neelum : This is a commercial variety indigenous to Tamil Nadu. It is an ideal variety for transporting to distant places owing to its high keeping quality. Fruit is medium in size, ovate oblique in shape and saffron yellow in colour. Fruit quality is good and keeping quality is very good. It is a late season variety.
Samarbehisht Chausa : This variety originated as a chance seedling in the orchard of a Talukdar of Sandila district Hardoi, U.P. It is commonly grown in northern part of India due to its characteristic flavour and taste. Fruit is large in size, ovate to oval oblique in shape and light yellow in colour. Fruit quality is good and keeping quality is medium. It is a late season variety.
Suvernarekha : This is a commercial variety of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. Other synonyms of this variety are Sundari, Lal Sundari and Chinna Suvernarekha. Fruit is medium in size and ovate oblong in shape. Colour of the fruit is light Cadmium with a blush of Jasper Red. Fruit quality is medium and keeping quality is good. It is an early season variety.
Vanraj : As the name suggests it is a highly precious variety from Vadodra district of Gujarat and fetches good returns. Fruit is medium in size, ovate oblong in shape and colour is deep Chrome with a blush of Jasper Red on the shoulders. Fruit quality and keeping quality are good. It is a mid season variety.
Zardalu : This variety is indigenous to Murshidabad in West Bengal. It derives its name from Zardalu, a dry fruit popular in North West of India and Sindh in Pakistan owing to similarity in shape. Fruit size is medium, oblong to obliquely oblong and golden yellow in colour. Fruit quality is very good. Keeping quality is medium. It is a mid season variety.

Hybrids

Over a period of time many hybrids have been developed by cross breeding and crosses from these crossed Breeds (Humans! Gosh! What can we be content with?). Some of the Hybrids are:-

Amrapali : This hybrid is from a cross of Dashehari and Neelum. It is dwarf, regular bearing and late maturing variety. The variety is suitable for high density planting as about 1600 plants may be planted in a hectare. It yields on an average of 16 tonnes/hectare.
Mallika : It is from a cross of Neelum and Dashehari. Its fruit is large in size, oblong elliptical in shape and Cadmium Yellow in colour. Fruit and keeping quality are good. It is a mid season variety.
Arka Aruna : It is a hybrid between Banganapalli and Alphonso. It is dwarf, regular bearing and precocious. Fruits are large having attractive skin colour with red blush and free from spongy tissue. Suitable for homesteads as well as high density planting.
Arka Puneet : It is a hybrid between Alphonso and Banganapalli. It is a regular and prolific bearer. Fruits are medium sized having attractive skin colour with red blush, excellent keeping quality and free from spongy tissue.
Arka Anmol : This hybrid is from a cross of Alphonso and Janardhan Pasand. It is a regular bearer and forms a good yeild. Fruits are medium sized having uniform yellow peel colour, excellent keeping quality and free from spongy tissue.
Arka Neelkiran : It is a hybrid between Alphonso and Neelum. It is regular bearing late season variety with medium sized fruits having attractive red blush and free from spongy tissue.
Ratna : This hybrid is from a cross of Neelum and Alphonso. Fruits are medium sized, attractive in colour and free from spongy tissue.
Sindhu : It is from a cross of Ratna and Alphonso. It is regular bearer, fruits medium sized, free from spongy tissue with high pulp to stone ratio and very thin and small stone.
Ambika : This hybrid is a cross between Amrapali and Janardhan Pasand. It is a regular and prolific bearer. Fruits are medium sized having attractive skin colour with red blush, and late in ripening.
Au Rumani : It is a cross of Rumani and Mulgoa. It is precocious, heavy and regular bearer with large fruits having Yellow Cadmium skin colour.
Manjeera : This hybrid is from a cross of Rumani and Neelum. It is dwarf, regular and a prolific bearer with firm and fibre less flesh.
PKM 1 : It is from a cross of Chinnasuvernarekha and Neelum. It is regular bearer, gives heavy yield and bears fruits in clusters.

The Varieties of Trees and Leaves

If you are with me till now, Congratulations! you are an hardcore Mango lover or have your wits about reading a good article or both! So, to you the Mango Lover I would now present information which is quite rare and still very substantial. Why Rare? Because almost all the Mango Trees look alike but what about if I say that you can identify (or at least Classify) various varieties of Mango trees just by a look at the tree or its leaves? Read on to find out how!

Variety of Mango Tree Crowns

Simply by the shape of the crown of the tree one can identify the breed. The commonly observed shapes are Spherical, Oblong and Semicircular. With the Semicircular shape being the most common.

“Spherical” Example: Mulgoa
“Oblong” Example: Olour
“Semicircular” Example: Alphonso

Variety of Mango Tree Leaves

Interestingly, the various varieties of Mango trees also differ in the types of leaves that grow on them. Differences in Leaves can be observed in :-

Blade Shape : The common blade shapes include Elliptic, Oblong and Lanceolate

“Lanceolate”. Example: Alphonso
“Elliptical” Example: Chandrakaran
“Oblong” Example: Mundappa

Leaf Margin: The common leaf margins for Mango leaves include Wavy and Whole leaves.

“Whole Leaf Margin” Example: Bangalora
“Wavy Leaf Margin”. Example: Imam Pasand

Leaf Alignment with respect to Branch: There is a difference in the angle at which the leaves grow from the main stem (or the branch). The two most common classifications are Semi Erect and Horizontal.

“Semi Erect”- Most Common
“Horizontal”. Example: Mylipelian

Leaf Apex and Vertex: If the shapes were not enough the Apex and Vertex of Mango Tree leaves also differ within varieties. The most common being ‘Acuminate’ and ‘Acute’ for the Apex and ‘Acute’ and ‘Obtuse’ for the Vertex.

“Acuminate Apex”. Example: Alphonso
“Acute Apex” Example: Banganapalli
“Obtuse Base” Example: Alphonso
“Acute Base” Example: Bangalora

Don’t Worry and Eat your Mangoes

Mangoes are a reservoir of Vitamin C along with Vitamin A, B and other antioxidants. Interestingly, Mangoes are also said to be good source of Vitamin E which is known as the sex hormone. Due to this mangoes are said to have aphrodisiac nature that boosts love life by driving sex hormones.

With this you now have a deep insight into the King of Fruits. Next step would be to simply share this article so that it remains safe with you. So that you can revise these insights next time when you want to flaunt your knowledge on an office trip to a mango orchard (Seriously? are there trips like that? Well you can always recommend one to your HR department). In the mean time, don’t worry and enjoy your Mangoes coz now you Know Your Mangoes!