Mango production in the State has been badly hit by the untimely rains.

Contrary to expectations of a bumper harvest this year, mango productions is estimated to drop by half compared to last year.

“During December and January, the night temperatures which are normally around 15 degree C, are congenial for flowering of mangoes.

The temperature conducive to flowering was lost to a great extent due to the untimely rains,” Assistant Director of Horticulture S. Rammohan has said.

The total extent under mango cultivation in the district is 15,351 hectares.

The major mandals in the districts where mango cultivation is done are: Kotauratla, Nakkapalli, Sabbavaram, Padmanabham, Makavarapalem and K. Kotapadu.

The main varieties produced in the district are: Banginapalli (Benishaan), Suvarnarekha and Rasalu.

The untimely rain during November and December last year, and again in February this year has hit mango production badly. The second spell of rain during February has led to partial dropping of flowers and an estimated further drop in production.

The rise in humidity after the rains has led to proliferation of pests and their attacks on the mango flowers.

“Research conducted by A. Sujata, Principal Scientist at the Mango Research Centre of the Horticulture University in West Godavari district, has led to development of a light trap designed to control mango fruit borer moths that are causing immense loss to mango farmers in coastal districts,” Mr. Rammohan said.

‘A washout'

“Mango is an alternate bearer. Though it was an ‘off-season' for the crop last year, the total production in the district was 8 MTs per hectare. This year, we have estimated that the production would be below 4 MT s per hectare. The Suvarnarekha variety, which flowers early, seems to be a total washout,” says Horticulture Officer K. Sailaja.

Banginapalli variety has also been badly affected. The ‘collector' variety, which is a late flowering variety, is the least affected.

Looks like buyers will find it disappointing at not seeing the ‘King of fruits' in their majestic best this year.