Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 3.1
(Continued)
Physiological Effects
Yield
Cold
wave
Mango malformation
Banana shooting and finger filling is affected
Low yield
Cyclone
Plantations are wiped out due to high winds
and water logging. Pests and disease incidence
increases
No yield
Hail storm
Physical damage to plants and fruit drop., for
example, Banana & Mango
Low to no yield
3.5
IMPACTS ON DIFFERENT FRUIT CROPS
3.5.1 MANGO
Mango grows at temperatures as low as 0°C and as higher as 45°C, the ide-
al temperature range being 24-30°C during the growing season along with
high humidity. At temperatures below 10°C and above 42°C, the growth
is affected. Entrapment of back-radiated heat from the soil by the clouds
is attributed for fruitlet and flower dropping in mango. Young trees and
actively growing shoots are likely to be killed at 1°C. Flowers and small
fruits are damaged if temperature drops below 4.5°C for a few hours.
Higher temperatures during fruit development hasten maturity and tend to
improve fruit quality. A cool and dry period, generally during winter, that
slows or stops vegetative growth is essential for inducing flowering. Pre-
cipitation of 890 to 1015 mm in a year, if well distributed is ideal. Rains
at flowering are harmful for mango causing total crop failure sometimes.
Various workers have reported washout of pollen grains during flowering
from different parts of the world. During rainy days, pollinating insects
remain dull and effective pollination cannot occur. After continued moist
weather, severe attack of mango hoppers and certain fungi cause heavy
shedding of flowers and fruits and often result in crop failure. Pre harvest
low light intensity due to cloudy weather reduce the contents of ascorbic
acid and sugar in fruits.
Supplemental irrigation should be provided during prolonged droughts.
Rainfall during the flowering period adversely affects fruit setting. Fog,
