Mango Tree

Mangifera indica

1. Identification and origin

The mango tree (Mangifera indica L.), belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, is a tropical fruit tree native to Southeast Asia, with its domestication centre in the region encompassing India, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The species was domesticated more than 4 000 years ago and later spread to Africa, the Middle East and the Americas through trade and colonial routes. Today, it is one of the most widely cultivated tropical fruit trees in the world.

2. Economic importance

The mango is widely consumed fresh, processed (juices, pulps, dried products, jams) and used in gastronomy and the food industry. The fruit has a high nutritional value, being rich in vitamins A and C, fibre and bioactive compounds. The main producers include India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan and Brazil. International trade involves fresh fruit, frozen pulp and processed products.

3. Botanical characterisation

A large perennial tree, capable of reaching 10–30 m in height, with a dense, rounded canopy. The leaves are simple, lanceolate, leathery, with colouring that ranges from bronze-red (young leaves) to dark green (mature leaves). The inflorescences are terminal panicles with numerous small flowers, yellow to pinkish in colour. The fruit is a fleshy drupe, with a thin epicarp, a juicy mesocarp and a woody endocarp containing a large seed. The root system is deep and vigorous.

4. Soil and climate requirements

The mango tree adapts well to tropical and subtropical climates, with ideal temperatures between 24–30 °C. It tolerates periods of drought, being sensitive to frost and strong winds. It prefers deep, well-drained soils of medium to light texture, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Excess moisture favours fungal diseases and reduces fruiting. Flower induction is favoured by a dry, cool period.

5. Main pests

• Fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata, Anastrepha spp.): Direct damage to the fruit and commercial losses.
• Scale insects (Coccoidea): Honeydew, sooty mould and reduced vigour.
• Thrips (Thrips spp.): Damage to flowers and young fruit.
• Mites (Oligonychus spp., Tetranychus spp.): Chlorosis and reduced photosynthesis.
• Branch borers (Hypocala spp., Batocera rufomaculata): Boring and death of branches.
• Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp.): Root decline and lower productivity.

6. Main diseases

• Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides): The most important disease, causing lesions on flowers, leaves and fruit.
• Powdery mildew (Oidium mangiferae): White coating on leaves and panicles, affecting fruiting.
• Stem-end rot (Lasiodiplodia theobromae): Darkening and premature fruit drop.
• Wilt caused by Phytophthora (Phytophthora palmivora): Root rotting and death of young plants.
• Cankers (Botryosphaeria spp.): Necrosis on branches and trunk.
• Mango malformation (Fusarium mangiferae): Floral and vegetative deformations, drastically reducing production.

7. General crop management

Includes the choice of cultivars adapted to the local climate, planting in well-drained soils, formative and cleaning pruning to improve air circulation, balanced fertilisation focused on potassium and micronutrients, and controlled irrigation avoiding waterlogging. Monitoring of anthracnose, powdery mildew and fruit fly is essential. Flower induction can be favoured by dry periods or by controlled water-stress techniques. Harvesting should be carried out at the stage of physiological maturity appropriate to the commercial destination.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database. Mangifera indica – pests and diseases.
• CABI Invasive Species Compendium. Mangifera indica – datasheets.
• Litz, R. E. (Ed.). (2009). The Mango: Botany, Production and Uses. CABI.
• Mukherjee, S. K. (1997). Mango. In: Smartt, J., & Simmonds, N. W. (Eds.), Evolution of Crop Plants. Longman.
• Ploetz, R. C. (2003). Diseases of mango. Acta Horticulturae.