RAJSHAHI, Mar 18 (BSS): Proper and sustainable management has become an urgent need to save mango flowers and fruits from premature dropping as the gardeners and businessmen suffer a lot due to the problem.
Scientists and researchers concerned viewed that premature flower and fruit drop is a nightmare for the gardeners and they can check the problem to some extent through following some prescribed guidelines properly.
To address the problem, the field level agricultural extension and research officials, farmers and others concerned should work together and promote modern technologies in this regard.
"We are working intensively for sustainable management of flower and fruit dropping of mango," said Dr Alim Uddin, Principal Scientific Officer of Fruit Research Station (FRS) in Rajshahi.
Horticulture Research Center (HRC) of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) has been implementing a project with financial support from Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (KGF).
Under the scheme, field- level agriculture extension officials and farmers are being brought under proper training and motivation on how they can address the problem.
Dr Modan Gopal Saha, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of HRC, said flower and fruit drop in such plants especially mango can be attributed to many causes both physical and pathological. Sudden changes in temperature or humidity, poor nutrition management, hormonal imbalance, improper soil moisture are the physiological causes and fungal infections lead to pathological fruit drop.
Incidence of insect pest attack is another cause, he mentioned.
Dr Modan Mohan said mango trees do best in warm climates such as those found in subtropical and tropical locations. However, an established mango tree generally can survive temperatures at about 25 degrees Fahrenheit for a few hours.
The best way to prevent fruit dropping caused by temperature is to plant mangoes in the area where suitable weather prevails. If the mango tree is not getting the right amount of water, it can begin dropping fruit prematurely.
Dr Alim Uddin opined that improper fertilisation can cause the mango trees to drop fruit prematurely and reduce the quantity of mangoes produced. Mangoes require nitrogen fertiliser designed for use on fruit trees to encourage healthy and ample growth and flower production.
But too much fertiliser can lead to burn, especially in younger fruit trees, he added. On the other hand, several types of fungal disease- such as powdery mildew and anthracnose can cause premature dropping of mango fruit.
The best defense against these fungal diseases is prevention by not over-watering the mango but regularly cleaning up the ground underneath the tree.
Meanwhile, booming mango flowering predicts an excellent production of the most popular fruit in the region this year if climatic conditions remained favourable. The mango trees have started getting fruit-setting stage after ending the budding phase due to the favourable weather.
Dr Alim said that the prevailing climatic conditions are suitable for budding and fruit setting and thousands of mango trees have already worn eye-catching looks with huge green mangoes.
Terming this year an 'On Year' for mango, the scientists, experts and officials at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and other agriculture -related departments, organisations, and agronomists predict a better mango output in the coming harvesting time.
The farmers have already started taking extensive preparations, cares and measures to make mango farming successful this year in their orchards, homesteads and everywhere, deputy director of the DAE Hazrat Ali said.
© 2026 - All Rights with The Financial Express
