Flowers

A milestone in mango history

10.02.12

THERE was a time when it was only during summer when children climbed mango trees to pick the fruits. Now mangoes are available the whole year round.

This was made possible by the research of Filipino scientists, particularly Dr. Ramon C. Barba.

Not only are mangoes available the whole year here but also in other countries because mangoes have become a major Philippine export.

For a fruit industry to really develop, a guaranteed, regular annual production is needed. However, mango flowering is seasonal and oftentimes erratic. Sometimes, flowering occurs only on alternate years.

Carabao mango (Mangifera indica L.) generally flowers in March and April. Flowering may be induced by smudging: burning plant wastes under the trees to produce a smoky fire.

Although this process often results in early flowering, it is laborious, hazardous and does not completely guarantee its occurrence.

In the past, smudging was generally practiced in February and March to induce an early flowering because early fruiting would result in better market prices for the mangoes since off-season mangoes would command higher prices.

Source: Malaya