Growing Organic Mangoes in the Philippines

INTRODUCTION

The growing market demands both domestic and export for organically grown fruits and vegetables compel us to learn to grow ORGANIC MANGO. This is a simple and basic study to help mango growers produce naturally grown mango free from toxic chemical residue, using both herbal organic concentrates and biotechnology with integrated pest management.

• Mango (Mangifera indica) is the national fruit of the Philippines.
• It has a wide market potential both domestic and international exports.
• It is a high value crop where mango grower can earn from P100,000.00 to P500,000.00 per hectare per year, provided planted at the right distance of 20×20 m+1, with a population of 50 hills per hectare and properly cared.
• It is suitable on upland areas with abundant sunlight and adequate moisture.
• Mango is a centennial crop that three or more family generation can benefit.
• It is a good retirement insurance crop where production increase as trees grow bigger and older.

Mango Production

Estimated production 50 trees per hectare. (Planting distance: 20 x 20 +1)

Mango is a high value and big earner crop, compared to traditional crops like rice, corn, coconut and sugarcane where income ranges only from P15,000.00 to P60,000.00 per hectare per year. This is why most farmers growing traditional crops remain poor. Mango can easily give P100,000.00 to P300,000.00 per hectare per year with trees 10 to 20 years old.

It is very important to plant the Philippine Golden Mango (carabao variety) at a distance of no less than 15 meters apart since by nature it is a big tree. It can only give its optimum or maximum productivity if its natural environment is favorable to its natural habitat. GENSAFCO recommends planting at 20 x 20 meters + 1 hill at the center of four trees or square forming a quincunx layout. This will have a population of 50 trees per hectare.

MANGO PRODUCTS

The following are primary commercial mango products:
• Fresh table fruit, ripe and green.
• Dried or dehydrated ripe mango fruit.
• Mango Puree, concentrate, nectar and juices.

Secondary mango products:
• Mango fruit preserves in syrup, salted or fermented.
• Chilled fresh mango fruits. (Frozen fresh halves)
• Green mango pickle (Burong mangga)
• Powdered mango (green and ripe)

Other mango products and by-products:
• Mango seeds for nursery planting materials.
• Mango seeds and shell for feeds
• Mango peel. seeds, leaves, branches for organic fertilizer.
• Mango wood for lumber and furniture making and fruit boxes..
• Specialize fruit, leaves and plant extract for drugs and medicine.
• Other products under development.

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS IDEAL FOR MANGO

Mango is a tropical tree. It can grow in most landmasses along and near the equator/ Mango can be grown in almost all regions of the Philippines, but they are found to be more productive if grown in the following environmental conditions:

1. Elevation within 600 meters from sea level up to 800 meters is still tolerable.
2. Mangoes need a dry period of 3 to 5 months to induce maturity of vegetative parts and flower. Fruit development also needs plenty of sunlight up to 120 -135 days after flower induction. Mango are biennial bearer, fruits every two years.
3. The ideal temperature for mango growing is 21degree C to 27degreeC.
4. Soils preferred are deep loamy, rich in organic matter, with balance content of macro and micro nutrient elements.
5. Water requirement: The land is slightly sloping, well drain but with good moisture holding capacity. Optimum moisture or water supply for mango is very important.
6. Soil pH of 6 to 7 is ideal for mango. It is at this level, nutrients are available.
7. Topography of the land ranges from flat to rolling not exceeding 45 degrees gradient. Stiff mountainsides are also planted to mango, but with difficulty in production management.
8. Mango needs plenty of sunlight. Fully grown mango trees should have enough sunlight from morning to evening, at the top of its crown to base of trunk. Shading even partially will limit its productivity. Crowded branch and foliage reduce yield.
9. Moderate airflow or wind is needed by mango trees to allow aeration to prevent the buildup of pest and diseases within the tree crown. Avoid strong winds especially during flowering and fruiting stage by growing windbreaker trees.

ESTALISHMENT OF MANGO ORCHARD

A few pointers in establishing a good productive mango orchard:

1. Look for the ideal site of a mango farm base on the cultural requirement ideal for mango. Most sunny areas with good soil moisture in the Philippines are suitable.
2. Select carefully your planting materials. Be sure you get the right variety and strain the market demands. Grafted seedlings are recommended to have uniform tree production. The Philippine Golden (carabao – Lamao selection) variety is preferred.
3. The farm should be accessible with good roads and abundant water supply for irrigation and spraying.
4. Clear field of all trees and structure that will shed the trees to allow full sunshine and free airflow. Set rows at east-west orientation. Better plant them on triangle layout.
5. Layout the farm and trees with access in-farm roads, farm house, working shed, water system and other farm structures.
6. Recommended planting distance is 20 x 20 + 1 meters quincunx with 50 trees population per hectare. The center hill may be eliminated when trees become bigger and crowded at 20 to 30 years old.
7. Weed, cultivate, fertilize and irrigate your trees regularly every 3 months. Combine organic and chemical fertilizers for faster and healthy growth. Use farm compost.

For orchards devoted to grow organic fruits; natural farming practices using organic and biological farm practices, without chemical inputs may be adopted. There is a growing market demand for organically grown fruits including mango.

Plant Propagation
Methods of Propagation
b. Sexual propagation with seeds. The trees grow big and productive in 7-15 years. However, fruits may not be the same with genetic variations.
c. Asexual propagation – grafting. Trees start bearing as early as 3–5 years. They produce more uniform true to type fruits, coming from the same mother tree.

Field Planting
Steps in Field Planting:
1. Propagate and harden the seedlings or planting materials. Expose to direct sunlight at least one week before field planting. Spray or drench with herbal pesticide. (HOC).
2. Clear the field, plow and harrow if possible.
3. Stake planting site 20 x 20 + 1m quincunx or 15 x 15m triangle to have 50 hills / ha..
4. Dig 1 cubic meter holes and replace the soil with rich/fertile topsoil and fully decomposed organic matter or organic fertilizer. Earthworm casting or is ideal mix to topsoil. Fully decomposed animal and plant waste with beneficial bacteria and fungi.
5. Planting procedure:
a. Drench the seedling in plastic bag and press the soil to loosen it in the bag.
b. Make a hole and pour in water to drench the soil.
c. Gently remove seedling from plastic bag and place in hole, cover and press soil.
d. Place a stake firmly besides the seedling and if needed tie the seedling to it.

CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF BEARING TREES

The health, vigor and size of the mango trees determine its productivity. Even if the Philippine Golden mango is biennial in nature, it can be made to bear yearly or more often if the right cultural management is done.

1. Fence and secure the area from stray animals and intruders that may damage the plants. Security is most needed 30 days up to harvest.

2. Practice clean culture. Cultivate and weed regularly. Remove all trees and shrubs that serve as host to insect pest and diseases.

3. The trees should not shed one another. Prune off overcrowded branches. Mango is a terminal bearer, so avoid pruning off healthy terminal fruiting shoot buds.

4. Irrigate and keep the soil moist most at all times. Less water or drier soil is preferred one month before flower induction and one month before harvest. Avoid water logging by providing suitable drainage.

5. Fertilize quarterly with abundant organic fertilizer with macro and trace mineral elements. Spray herbal organic concentrate fertilizer on leaves and fruits when growth and fruit development needs supplemental nutrition.

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