Mango Growers Coaxing Summer Fruit to Grow in Winter

Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech)

According to the latest agricultural occurrences, the mango season in Australia keeps getting longer. This is because many mango growers have figured out a way to expedite the blossoming of the crop. By doing this, agribusiness owners can claim higher prices for this summer fruit in the winter season. In fact, this also puts other farmers in direct competition with the Queensland market. The whole idea behind this is timing. Without proper timing, it becomes difficult to retain the same quality of mangoes., according to mango growers. Hence, this is about staying in the right place at the right time.

In fact, according to mango growers, just about any factor can change the outcome and transform it into a less preferred one. However, the direct timing of fertilisers or pruning is the most important aspect when it comes to fuelling the growth of the plant. It’s complex, but it has been witnessed that certain fertilisers are used to lower nitrogen and lift calcium levels, and when cooler nights slip in, potassium nitrate can be sprayed to encourage flowering. Additionally, the timing of fertilisers is also influenced by moon cycles, atmospheric pressure and temperature fluxes, which can make a difference between flowering or flushing into a leaf.

Some mango growers use cincturing (cutting a ring around the tree’s trunk) to promote flowering, although that can affect the tree’s health, according to Elliott. Other tactic Skliros mentions are bonsaiing the trees. In addition to mechanical pruning, this involves chemicals that target the roots and keep the size of the trees more manageable so they don’t grow too fast, too high or too vigorously. Currently, the pandemic is impacting global food systems, disrupting regional agricultural value chains, and posing risks to household food security. Due to the resurgence of the virus, it is going to be a difficult road ahead it seems.