VISAKHAPATNAM: The delay in flowering of mango trees in parts of Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Krishna and Vizianagaram districts, may affect production and prices in the coming season.
Due to heavy rains in winter and unfavourable climatic conditions in parts of the state, the flowering has been delayed by over one month, and this has impacted the fruit bearing to some extent.
Krishna and Vizianagaram are home to some of the best mango varieties (Banginapalli, Chinna Rasalu and Suvarnarekha ) in the country.
Assistant director, horticulture, Nuziveedu, Krishna district, J Jyothi, said the delay in the flowering of mango trees may lead to maturity of the fruits at a time so that mango growers may not get the best price. “The prolonged rainy season and the extended winter has impacted the flowering. We are hoping for normal yield of mangoes in the coming season. If the spread of the virus decreases by April, mango farmers will get some good returns,” she said.
Due to low night temperatures and unfavourable climatic conditions, flowering has been delayed in Vizianagaram district. But farmers need not worry as the flowering may be completed within two weeks. The yield may come down by around 10 per cent due to the delay in flowering, said deputy director, horticulture, Vizianagaram, R Srinivasa Rao. “The yield will be good if there are no rains and gales during the next couple of months. Strong winds and rain may affect the flowers and result in lesser yield,” Rao added.
Weather and soil not perfect for Alphonso mangoes
Banginapalli is the king of mangoes in south India whereas Alphonso mangoes are considered to be among the most superior varieties of the fruit in terms of sweetness, richness and flavour in north India.
Though the horticulture department has planted Alphonso variety in parts of the state for experiment, they concluded that AP’s weather and soil conditions are not perfect for Alphonso mangoes production in the region.
Deputy director, Horticulture, Vizianagaram, R Srinivasa Rao, said that diseases such as spongy tissue and blossom blight are being seen in Alphonso variety in the region. “We observed that humid weather in our region is not fit for the Alphonso variety. When compared to Alphonso, our Banginapalli is the best fruit,” he added.
