Growing High Quality Mangoes Is the Aim

FROM THE ARCHIVES

We revisit an earlier news article about producing the most productive mango crops possible. RLF has been providing mango management techniques for some years now, and the principles remain the same – the importance of scientifically balanced and timely crop nutrition.

It is always good to look back at some of our loyal customers’ success stories and their learning experiences, because this way the knowledge is shared.

The Results

The results were excellent, with the treated mango plants showing :

new blades that are green and luxuriant
more flowering, long flower spike and high fruit-set rate
stretch through the length of each fruit
improved fruit quality giving a prolonged fruit storage
period with enhanced storeability
exquisite peel, smooth fruit surface and
good appearance
high sugar content in the flesh with great taste
even fruit size and increased yield
high quality commercial fruit with potential for good
price and profits
NOTE : The treated mangoes have smooth skin with high lustre. As such they achieve a good stretching effect, will mature healthily, and will go on to sell for a higher price. The untreated mangoes have already entered the fruit enlargement stage and will find it difficult to stretch further. Their skin is leathery and rigid.

The Products Used

The following program was used in the demonstration field.

  • Budding phase (1st March 2017) : Fruits & Veggies Plus with 1000 times dilution supported by Boron Plus at 1000 times dilution
  • Flowering period (20th March 2017) : Fruits & Veggies Plus with 1000 times dilution supported by Boron Plus at 1000 times dilution
  • Young fruiting period (1st April 2017) : Fruits & Veggies Plus with 700 times dilution supported by Potassium Plus at 1000 times to 2000 times dilution as the crop demands

Fruits & Veggies Plus

An Ultra Foliar fertiliser with 12 essential nutrients. It is taken up by the leaf through the cell walls for the plant’s immediate use. High-analysis and Broad-spectrum for fruits and vegetables. It’s benefits are that it :

  • increases growth and improves yield qualities
  • guards against soil nutrient variability and deficiency
  • delivers a greater size and volume root system
  • returns more matter to the soil enhancing natural
    soil fertility
  • gives protective benefits against pests, disease and
    adverse weather conditions
  • ensure that the right nutrients get to the plant at the time
    they are needed, so more access to phosphorus, nitrogen
    and potassium as well as a wide range of trace elements

RLF Steps in to Help

In order to strengthen mango management techniques, and to help farmers understand how they can effectively increase their incomes, the ‘technical backbone’ of RLF travelled to the Gelao Tun, Lianpo Village, Toutang Town, Tianyang City, Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on 8th April 2017 to conduct a mango cultivation training meeting for 180 local mango growers. RLF’s Technical Director, Ma Deliang addressed the large gathering of local farmers and with step by step field guidance gave the farmers a better understanding of the field management, crop nutrition and pest control required during the mango growing period. When the word got out that the training day was happening all the village farmers came. It was very well received.

Background to Mango Cultivation in China

As temperatures rise in some areas, the mango which likes a natural high temperature growing environment, comes into its own. Already the earliest variety to mature in China, the Hainan Mango, has started being sold in large quantities at the marketplace.

However, to trace the history of mango growing in China we must mention the Mango Plantation located in Tianyang County, Baise City – in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The Tianyang County lies to the west of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

It forms part of an old revolutionary base area in Baise City. Baise City is located in the hinterland of Youjiang Valley, which is one of the three best tropical monsoon regions, enjoying a reputation equal to that of Hainan Island and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province. It is renowned for not having to deal with typhoons in summer or frosts in winter. At the same time, it is also known as the country’s natural greenhouse, with large granaries, gardens and orchards. In a word, it is richly endowed by nature.
The mango planting area reaches 200 thousand Mu in Tianyang County, which is one of China’s three largest mango production bases. It is named as the hometown of Chinese mango. The high quality variety called Tianyang Mango has twice won the highest prize of the China Agricultural Exposition. The Tianyang Mango is widely sought after by consumers and deeply loved by foodies for its thin skin, juicy flesh, and rich flavour.

However, the farmers in Tianyang County are mostly concerned with meeting market expectation and by the economics of their enterprise – can they sell their produce for the highest prices.

Summary

The length of the mango, the gloss of the peel, and the sugar degree of the flesh are the factors affecting the rating of the mango harvest. The fruit farmers said that the price of mango treated with the RLF Ultra Foliar Fruits & Veggies Plus program last year, generally saw prices higher than fruit from the untreated harvest.

RLF has over 25 years of product development and is committed to providing only the best specialty fertilisers and the best in-field advice for the China market. The mango farmers of these tropical province locations are learning how they can best support their growing enterprises when they attend training field days such as this one. This is the type of practical help that RLF delivers so well.