Mango is one of the important and popular fruit in kerala. The choicest fruit of all mango is described as the King of Fruits. It is hardy and remarkably tolerant to all soil and climatic conditions and grows well from sea level up to 1500m. It withstands fairly both dry conditions and heavy rainfall.
Mangifera indica), a member of the cashew family, one of the most important and widely cultivated fruits of the tropical world, considered indigenous to eastern Asia, Myanmar (Burma), and Assam state of India. The tree is evergreen, often reaching 15–18 meters (50–60 feet) in height and attaining great age. Leaves are lanceolate, up to 30 cm (12 inches) long; the flowers, small, pinkish, and fragrant, are born in large terminal panicles (loose clusters). They are polygamous—i.e., some have both stamens and pistils, others stamens only.
The fruit varies greatly in size and character; the smallest mangoes are no larger than plums, while others may weigh 1.8 to 2.3 kg (4 to 5 pounds). Its form is oval, round, heart-shaped, kidney-shaped, or long and slender. Some varieties are vividly colored with shades of red and yellow, while others are dull green. The single large seed is flattened, and the flesh that surrounds it is yellow to orange in colour, juicy, and of distinctive spicy flavour. Mangoes are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and D.
The mango does not require any particular soil, but the finer varieties yield good crops only where there is a well-marked dry season to stimulate fruit production. In rainy areas a fungus disease known as anthracnose destroys flowers and young fruits and is difficult to control. Propagation is by grafting or budding. Inarching, or approach grafting (in which a scion and stock of independently rooted plants are grafted, and the scion later severed from its original stock), is widely practiced in tropical Asia but is tedious and relatively expensive. In Florida, more efficient methods—veneer grafting and chip budding—have been developed and are used commercially.
Alpohonsa, Kalpady, Neelam, Mundappa, Bamplora , Pairi,Baneshan, Mulgova are some of varieties suitable for cultivation in Kerala.The tender mango of local type trees are good to prepare kannimanga.(a tasty pickle). Ripe mango is good to prepare mango pickle and uppumanga. Mango fruit is also used to make fruit juice and mango thera. Mango is also used to prepare chutney (a tasty dish).
