Proper care must to save mango flowers from premature fall

Proper and sustainable management is a must to save mango flowers and fruits from falling off prematurely for which gardeners and businessmen have to suffer.

Scientists and researchers put forward some suggestions for mango growers to prevent fruits and flowers falling off prematurely.

Dr Alim Uddin, principal scientific officer of Fruit Research Station in Rajshahi, said collaboration among field level agricultural extension and research officials, farmers and other concerned should be developed and modern technologies should be adopted to fix the problem.

The Horticulture Research Center (HRC) of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) is already implementing a project with financial support from Krishi Gobeshona Foundation to train up the field level officials and farmers.

Dr Modan Gopal Saha, chief scientific officer and head of HRC, said mango trees shed flowers and fruits due to many reasons.

Sudden changes in temperature or humidity, poor nutrition management, hormonal imbalance and improper soil moisture are the physiological causes and fungal infections lead to pathological fruit drop. Insect or pest attack is another cause, he mentioned.

Subtropical and tropical locations are best for mango trees but an established mango tree can generally survive 25 degrees Fahrenheit for a few hours. If mango trees do not get proper water it can begin shedding fruits early, he added.

Dr Alim said mangoes require nitrogen-based fertilisers but too much fertiliser can lead to adverse effects, especially in younger fruit trees. On the other hand, several types of fungal diseases like powdery mildew and anthracnose can cause premature fruit drop.

The best defence against these fungal diseases is not to water the plants excessively and to clean the ground underneath the tree regularly.

Dr Alim said the prevailing climatic conditions are suitable for budding and fruit setting.

Terming this year as an "On Year'" for mango, officials at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and other organisations and agronomists predict better productions.

Hazrat Ali, DAE deputy director, suggested that farmers should contact the agriculture officers at the field levels and control the attacks by pests for better productions.