There’s something special about mango farming. Maybe it’s the sweet scent of the ripe fruit, or maybe it’s knowing your hard work is helping to provide for yourself and others. Whatever it is, it’s worth protecting.
When you’re out in the fields and amongst your mango trees, there are a few classic mistakes you should be on the lookout for. After all, nothing can ruin a perfectly good harvest like a simple mistake that could have been prevented. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common mistakes made in mango farming—and practical ways to help you avoid them so your harvest stays strong.
Whether you’re a novice or an expert farmer, these reminders are important for ensuring the health of your crop and keeping production up. Ready to get started? Put on your farmer cap and let’s dive into what pitfalls to look out for when it comes to mango farming!
Table of Contents
Selecting the Wrong Type of Mango Tree
If you’re serious about mango farming, one of the first orders of business is selecting the type of mango tree that suits your region and climate. Make sure to research and pick a variety that is better suited to the environment you have. This will ensure that there are no complaints regarding taste or texture, as they will most likely be in line with local consumer expectations.
The other thing to remember is that different varieties of mango trees require different levels of care and attention. For example, some may require more frequent pruning and pruning can affect their growth rate and crop size. On the other hand, some types of mangoes bear fruit more quickly than others—so it’s important to do your research and understand which might work best for you. Lastly, certain varieties are more prone to certain pests or diseases, which can affect yield and profitability over time.
Using Inadequate Fertilizer
Fertilizer is key to the success of your mango farm, yet it’s easy to get it wrong. If you don’t use enough fertilizer, your mango trees won’t reach their full potential—they may be stunted, produce smaller fruit, or not produce fruit at all. Furthermore, a lack of fertilizer can also lead to mango trees having problems with pests and diseases.
When it comes to fertilizer, more isn’t always better—as overfertilizing can strip away essential minerals from the soil and make plants vulnerable to attack by pests. When selecting a fertilizer for your mango farm, always choose one that’s specifically designed for the crop you’re growing and will meet its specific nutritional needs.
You’ll also want to be careful about how often you apply the fertilizer. A good rule of thumb is that mangoes should be fertilized once during each growing season—right after blooming in the spring and after harvesting in late summer.
Poor Soil Preparation
You should never forget to properly prepare the soil if you want to succeed in mango farming. Poor soil preparation is one of the most common mistakes you can make as a farmer, and it could have serious consequences for your crop.
pH Levels
Good soil preparation means taking a few key steps. For example, you need to make sure that pH levels are correct. If your soil is too acidic or too alkaline, this will negatively impact the growth and development of your mango crop. Test for pH levels using a kit or take a sample to an agricultural lab for an accurate reading.
Testing Manure and Fertilizers
It’s also important to make sure that your soil has enough nutrients for your mango trees to thrive. This includes testing relevant sources such as manure and fertilizers before incorporating them into your soil, so you can gage their effectiveness in helping mango growth. The amount of fertilizer needed will also depend on the type of fertilizer being used — organic or inorganic — so be sure to adjust accordingly when applying fertilizer and other nutrients to the soil.
To sum it up:
- Test for pH levels using a kit or take a sample to an agricultural lab for an accurate reading
- Test relevant sources such as manure and fertilizers before incorporating them into your soil
- Adjust fertilizer amount depending on type (organic or inorganic)
- Apply fertilizer and other nutrients correctly to ensure maximum efficacy
Disease and Pest Management
When it comes to disease and pest management, if you don’t know what you’re doing you can find yourself in a sticky situation fast. Don’t be fooled into thinking that your mango tree is immune—it’s not! To combat pests and diseases, the key is prevention. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Research
If you don’t have much experience growing mangoes, it’s important to do your research first. Knowing the specific type of pests and diseases common to your area is a great start—it will help you to choose a variety that won’t be too susceptible to those particular issues.
Monitoring
Keep an eye on your trees throughout the year, so that if you spot anything unusual, you can take action right away before it has a chance to spread. It’s also worth talking with other local farmers—they might have useful tips for managing problem pests or diseases in the area.
Control methods
Preventative measures like crop rotation, fertilization and proper spacing will help keep pest and disease levels low from the start. But if something does appear, don’t hesitate—you need to act fast before it spreads any further or damages more crops than necessary. Some popular methods include introducing beneficial predators like ladybugs, using traps or netting around trees, and removing affected leaves or branches so as not to inadvertently spread the problem further by pruning tools.
Improper Harvesting Techniques
When harvesting mangoes, you have to be careful—if you’re too rough, it can damage the fruit. But if you’re too gentle, it’ll never make it to market intact. It’s a tricky balance but don’t let that scare you off. Here are some tips to get you harvesting like a pro:
- Wear protective gloves to prevent bruising—no one wants to buy a bruised mango!
- Only harvest fully ripe fruit, so don’t be tempted to pick too early—it can ruin the harvest and affect the quality of the fruits next season.
- When picking, hold the stem firmly and twist gently, but with enough force to ensure it comes off in one go without any breakage.
- Put harvested mangoes in containers lined with paper or foam—this will help cushion them during transportation and protect them from bruising.
Harvesting mangoes properly is critical for getting quality produce that fetches good prices in the market—so practice these techniques and you’ll be well on your way to harvesting like a pro!
Storing Mangos Incorrectly
Don’t make the mistake of storing mangos incorrectly or you could find yourself with a smaller yield come harvest-time. Temperature and humidity play a critical role in successful mango farming, and if the conditions are not ideal, your harvest will suffer.
Temperature
Mangos need to be stored at the right temperature, or else they will spoil quickly. The ideal temperature for storing mangos is between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit (12–18°C), anything higher and you risk them ripening too fast. Different varieties of mango also need different temperatures to keep them from spoiling—but in any case, it’s best to store them in a cool, dry place.
Humidity
The key is to keep your mangos from spoiling by maintaining moderate humidity levels—anything less than 50% could cause their skins to crack, while anything more than 75% could lead to mildew growth. If the humidity level gets too high (over 80%), your mangos are at risk of spoilage.
To prevent spoilage due to incorrect storage conditions, it’s important that you monitor both temperature and humidity levels regularly so that you can keep them within the prescribed range. That way, your mangos stay fresh until they are ready to be harvested—and result in a higher yield when they do!