Mango Nutrition Planning Mango Nutrition Planning

Presented by:

Hadi Bux LeghariTechnical Manager

Asim Agriculture Farm, Tando Allahyar Sindh.

www.aaf.com.pkhadileghari@hotmail.com

Misunderstood MangoMisunderstood Mango Tree PhenologyTree Phenology

Flushing?

Dormancy?

Flowering?

FLORIGEN CONCEPTFLORIGEN CONCEPT The subject of flowering has fascinated scientists because

of its considerable theoretical and practical significance. The discovery of photoperiodism and that of leaves being the sites of perceiving the daylength and for converting the signal into a phloem-translocatable stimulus- has been a turning point in the history of flowering research but the identity of the putative stimulus- 'Florigen'- is still one of the closely guarded secrets of Nature.

few attempts have been made towards understanding mechanisms underlying flowering in tree crops. This is generally attributed to unique problems such as prolonged juvenility in trees, their perennial habit; size; branch autonomy; seasonality and lack of any single measurable factor such as daylength that can be employed for flower initiation, impact of fruiting in the previous season, bud dormancy, shoot maturity and growth flushes.

Can we explain common observations and Can we explain common observations and

problems in field?problems in field? Dual role of leaves:

One of the most common observations is simultaneous occurrence of flowering and non flowering branches on the same tree and adjacent to each other and inability of immature shoots to flower along with the mature shoots. This can be attributed to the balance between the promoter from the mature leaves and inhibitor from the immature shoots. This explanation gains further strength from the finding that the inhibitory action can be removed by timely pruning of the immature shoot. Inhibitory action can be simulated by exogenous application of gibberellins whereas the long term inhibitory action of endogenous gibberellins can be overcome with anti gibberellins such as paclobutrazol.

Synchrony of bud activity with the floral cycle :Synchrony of bud activity with the floral cycle : Another common observation is that shoots which remain

dormant during flowering fail to flower and measures taken to activate buds during floral cycle result in flowering emphasizing the need for synchrony between the floral cycle and bud activity.

One of the strategies to promote flowering in mango in Philippines is the use of dormancy-breaking agents such as potassium nitrate and thiourea. The Philippine cultivars which respond to this treatment seem to belong to the multiflowering cultivars with more than one floral cycles. The dormancy - breaking treatments activate the buds thus resulting in flowering. Such treatments may be ineffective in cultivars such as Sindhri, Chaunsa etc. which have no off - season flowering tendency.

Cyclic synthesis of the stimulus and the Cyclic synthesis of the stimulus and the

gradient effect :gradient effect : In addition to the observation of flowering in a distinct cycle,

emergence of pure panicles, mixed panicles i.e., flowers + leaves and finally only leaves at the end of the floral cycle is a strong evidence for the cycle as well as for the interaction between the promoter and inhibitor.

In mango, for instance, with the help of the hypothesis, we have been able to demonstrate the crucial flower inhibitory role of untimely vegetative growth on flowering and tree productivity. we have to develop a reliable approach which can manipulate tree size and at the same time promote flowering, fruiting and quality. There is no doubt that the possibilities of making similar gains in other tree fruits exist and need to be explored.

Irregular Bearing as a Result of Poor Tree Irregular Bearing as a Result of Poor Tree

ManagementManagement

The most important management tools available for control of irregular bearing is N and irrigation. Therefore, special care should be taken to apply N and water at right

time as described previously.

Forms of organic matter and C in soil

Example,

If the soil has a low fertility status (e.g. is run down in N), then that soil organic matter cannot increase unless the N is provided (e.g. a legume-based pasture). Similarly, soils that have low P status will struggle to raise soil organic matter levels unless that P deficiency is overcome, just as legumes will struggle to persist in pastures and fix N.

How can soil C be restored?

Good examples from cropping include retaining crop residues in the soil by eliminating burning and reducing tillage, increasing the inputs of organic matter to soils by growing better crops and pastures more often.

Humus - (soil science) that portion of the soil that has fully broken down and is thus stable.

Compost - organic matter in a purposeful state of partial decomposition. The purposeful part is important. Dead stuff on the ground is NOT compost, just decaying orgainc matter. It is the controlled, or semi-controlled conditions that make it compost.

Immature Compost - compost that has not undergone enough decomposition to be of maximal benefit. This definition is thus use-specific, but usually implies insufficient pathogen destruction, lack of friability, poor moisture retention, active generation of metabolic gasses. Primarily still in bacterial stage of decomposition.

Mature Compost - compost that has decomposed to the point of maximal usefulness. Usually in the fungal/actinomycete stage.

Humus is also an important source of phosphorus and sulphur with the ratio of C: N: P: S in humus being about 100-120:10:1:1 An inherent property of humus is its high cation exchange capacity known as its CEC. This is very important in relation of its ability to ‘lock’ onto nutrients. In humic acid several active groups exist that are associated with cation exchange.

Cations (positively charged nutrients such as potassium or calcium) can become ‘locked up’ by clays present in the soil, and these clays can become compacted and so hinder root development. Humic acid overcomes this by taking salts away from the surface of the clay and in so doing results in an overall negative charge. This causes repulsion and a subsequent loosening of soil structure.

Boron is the most unstable of all trace elements, and it is very difficult to maintain the desired soil level of 1 ppm throughout the crop cycle. Humus is the boron storehouse, and accordingly, soils with organic matter levels below 4% struggle to retain sufficient boron for crop requirements.Humates have a phenomenal ion storage capacity. Humic acid, for example, has a cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 500, while fulvic acids range from 900 to 1400. The fusion of boron with humates is the ideal technique to tie boron to the soil and reduce leaching.

BM-Technology Benefit to userBM-Technology Benefit to userThe requirement of BM declines with the passage of time, as the

microbes are self-propagating.

   The use of BM requires lower quantities of organic matter.

  Use of BM reduces the labor requirements by reducing tillage and weeding.

  Use of BM enhances the soil biota and develops its physical structure.

   BM ferments organic matter as opposed to deterioration.

   BM breakdown organic matter rapidly once incorporated into the soil.

   BM facilitates the release of greater quantities of nutrients to plants.

  BM has the capacity to convert wastes into useful non-toxic products.

   BM reduces the irrigation requirements of the soil and plants.

COMPOST MAKING WITH BM-TECHNOLOGYCOMPOST MAKING WITH BM-TECHNOLOGY

BM-FERMENTOR MODEL & EARTHWORMSBM-FERMENTOR MODEL & EARTHWORMS

Mulching

Mulching has a number of roles:• Restricts weed growth• Protects the soil against heavy rainfall and intensive sunshine• Prevents erosion in plantations on steep slopes• Provides organic matter• Stimulates root development• Improves soil drainage• Decreases soil temperature• Increases soil porosity and biological life

"Earthworms break down organic matter and turn it into soluble forms of phosphorus and potassium, as well as nitrates and ammonium nitrogen that are readily available to plants,"An earthworm population consisting of 25 worms per square foot equals one ton of worms per acre and produces 100 tons of casting (or 2/3" of manure

on the surface of each acre)

The Boron Solution For Mangoes

Boron deficiencies occur on a wide variety of soils, however boron availability reduces as pH and calcium levels increase. Mangoes are very sensitive to boron deficiency especially when high levels of nitrogen are applied or trees become moisture stressed. Boron is essential for flowering and fruit set, and deficiencies cause flower and fruit drop as well as misshapen fruit. Boron is required for calcium uptake and movement, and calcium deficiencies can be significantly reduced by boron application. Boron plays a similar role to calcium in cell wall stabilization, which makes it essential for quality factors such as skin strength, fruit firmness and storage life of mangoes.

The Calcium Solution For Mangoes

Calcium is the most important nutrient for fruit quality and calcium deficiency is a widespread problem in mango crops because most are grown on heavily leached acid soils, low in exchangeable calcium and high in available nitrogen. While moisture stress is the major cause of calcium deficiency, high available soil nitrogen or over-use of nitrogen fertilizers that promote excessive plant vigour, also compound calcium deficiencies. Low boron levels also induce calcium deficiency, as boron is required for the maintenance of transpiration (water uptake) and therefore also calcium uptake. Calcium deficiencies also occur on soils with high levels of exchangeable calcium and this is largely due to the low mobility of soil calcium and competition with other nutrients such as ammonium nitrogen, potassium and magnesium. For this reason foliar sprays are needed to supplement soil calcium..

The Potassium Solution For Mangoes

Potassium is an important nutrient for fruit filling (size & weight) and quality. Potassium is required for the production and transport of plant sugars that increase the weight of fruit, while also offsetting the detrimental effects of high plant nitrogen levels on fruit quality. The highest demand for potassium is just prior to harvest. Potassium also promotes more even ripening and enhances skin colour. Because potassium is very mobile within the plant, foliar application of potassium is very effective, especially in the later stages of growth. Soil uptake of potassium is inefficient and therefore deficiencies often occur in soils high in potash and especially if calcium, magnesium and nitrogen levels are also high. Deficiency symptoms appear in the older leaves that may be a light green colour and have necrosis of the entire leaf margin.

The Zinc Solution For Mangoes

Zinc deficiency is most likely to occur in mangoes grown on alkaline soils, however deficiencies on heavily leached acid soils may be induced by lime application. Zinc is most important in the early stages of plant development for photosynthesis, root and shoot growth, flowering and fruit set. Deficiency symptoms are normally associated with 'little leaf disease', interveinal chlorosis of young leaves and poor fruit set and yields.

Seven Reasons to Tissue Test.Seven Reasons to Tissue Test.

1) To identify soil-based lock-ups 2) To ensure everything is right at the business end of the season 3) To avoid over supply of nitrogen 4) To monitor levels of “The Big Four” 5) To check that potassium is present when it is most needed. 6) To see that you maintain enough silica for cell-strengthening

protection. 7) To achieve maximum quality and production.

1. Many minerals are antagonistic to others if they are over supplied.

2. Things change when the plant enters the reproductive mode. There is a dramatic increase in the need for sugar production (and delivery) to fuel the formation of seed or fruit and this requires chlorophyll management. We need to test for the presence of the minerals that can create the undesirable stripes, blotches and pale colours at this critical time so we can deliver the missing minerals and reclaim chlorophyll density.

3. It is more common to see nitrogen “over done” than any other mineral because it is a mineral required in large amounts

4. These four minerals are calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and boron. Boron is a huge player in calcium performance and magnesium stimulates the uptake of boron. What is the use of calcium nitrate to lift calcium, for example, if you already have far too much nitrate nitrogen (as is so often the case)? Similarly, why select magnesium sulphate to boost magnesium, when you already have excess levels of sulphur?

5. Potassium is the most mobile of all minerals and it often moves from the lower leaves to the top end of the plant, where it is required to size fruit or fuel growth at the growing shoot tips. Hence, the leaf sample, typically selected from the last fully developed leaf. to realize just how strong the potassium draw-down can be when the plant enters the reproductive mode. You will also be surprised to observe the powerful antagonistic effect of excess nitrate nitrogen on potassium availability. Nitrates, when oversupplied, will shut down potassium faster than a house cat will claw the knee upon which it sits.

6. This neglected mineral, which was previously considered a ‘non-essential’ nutrient, is now known to be a major star in pest protection. It is also an important player in photosynthesis, stress resistance, heavy metal management, sodium tolerance and nutrient delivery. Recently a NSW blueberry grower reported sensational shelf-life for his produce when his leaf levels of silica were at 1200 ppm. When he neglected his regular silica applications and the leaf levels fell to just 300 ppm so did his fruit quality.

7. Profitability is about chlorophyll management. The better you manage the green pigment in the leaf where the glucose building blocks are manufactured, the greater your rewards at the end of the season. Blotches, stripes, pale colours and other cases of chlorosis are examples of poor chlorophyll management. The best way to avoid yield-limiting chlorosis is to conduct regular leaf tests and to correct any deficiencies that are identified. There is also a disease link to trace mineral deficiencies, so ensuring that you maintain good levels of all nutrients in your plants will have many beneficial flow-on effects.

Calcium may be the ‘trucker of all minerals’, but if a serious calcium deficit is identified, then limestone may not release sufficient calcium to enable optimum nutrient transport for the immediate season. Calcium problems often stem from the fact that nitrogen and potassium are translocated at a faster rate than calcium. Calcium creates the cell division needed to keep up with the rapid growth fuelled by N and K. 80% of leaf test data we analyse is deficient in calcium. The supply of soluble calcium is the secret to this shortfall

Sod CultureSod Culture

Orchard floor management systems can include 1) complete cultivation, 2) complete chemical weed

control, 3) sod culture, and 4) sod culture with strip weed control.

Sod culture. Under this system, the orchard floor is maintained with existing weeds or a planted cover crop. The cover crop maybe planted grasses, legumes, or weeds. Sod culture offers several advantages over both complete cultivation and complete chemical control.

Sod culture with strip weed control. This orchard management system combines sod culture between the tree rows with use of a weed-free zone within tree rows. The weed-free zone is usually a 6 to 8 foot wide strip in the tree row maintained with herbicides.

How to Build Luxury Leaf Levels of Calcium and Phosphorus

It is unusual to see luxury levels of calcium and phosphorus in the leaf, and a strategy is often required to increase the levels of these two elements. When attempting to build these levels, balance should always be a prime consideration. If, for example, calcium is needed but nitrogen levels are high (a common scenario), calcium nitrate should be avoided. If phosphate levels are low yet nitrogen levels are high, then MAP or DAP are not suitable. There is a technology that offers both high-analysis calcium and phosphorus in an inexpensive, rapid-release organic form without the unnecessary nitrogen. We have termed this technology MMS (Micronised Mineral Suspensions). Here, desirable minerals like calcium and phosphorus are ground down to a 5-micron particle, at which size they are immediately plant-available. These key minerals are then stored in a liquid suspension, which also contains 24 multi-task microbes and a mineral solubiliser called fulvic acid.

Note: The plant is unable to absorb foliar nutrients in temperatures exceeding 32°C.

Clay also has considerable storage capacity, but there is no comparison with organic carbon. When you take clay in one hand and organic carbon in the other and measure the nutrients, humus holds three times more of these nutrients than clay.

Super, triple super, DAP and MAP are all originally derived from hard rock phosphate which is mined and treated with sulphuric or phosphoric acid to isolate the phosphate in a soluble form. The problems occur when the phosphate hits the ground. Phosphate has a triple-negative charge and calcium has a positive charge. They seek each other out, like dogs on heat, and become inseparably fused in a similar manner. The phosphate content in Triple Super, for example, has largely reverted to the insoluble tri-calcium phosphate form within 30 days of application. This means that, at the crucial time of seed or fruit formation, when available phosphate will determine fruit quality, there is actually very little of the element remaining to perform this function.Colloidal phosphate does not have these problems. Renowned US agronomis,t Neal Kinsay, refers to ‘soil food’ and ‘plant food’ when discussing phosphate sources. The acid-treated phosphates are plant food (if only for a very limited time), and they can never be used to build phosphate levels in the soil cost-effectively. Hard rock phosphate and colloidal soft rock phosphate are seen as incomparable soil foods, the latter being far more available in a wider variety of soil conditions.

Our colloidal phosphate NTS Soft Rock™ is the only Australian source of this form of phosphate. It contains 10% phosphorus, 24% calcium, 26% silicon and a rich lode of trace elements

Pakistani FormulaPakistani FormulaS.No. Dated Fertilizers/tree (Kg)

NP

K

1. 1st August 2 0 0

2. 1st March 2 0 0

Total

In exceptions P & K almost negligible let alone the micro-nutrients or other technologies

Conclusion:

Pakistani Formula of putting chemical fertilizers in mango orchard is now obsolete & outdated it needs to be changed with the improved package of technology otherwise things will never improved.