MULTAN: Agricultural experts have urged mango growers to closely monitor their orchards during the ongoing fruit development stage, terming it a critical period for enhancing fruit size, color, taste, and overall market quality.
Scientific Officer of the Agriculture Department, Muhammad Iqbal, told APP that by early April, most mango trees complete flowering and fruit set, after which the fruit enters its growth phase. He said successful production depends on maximizing fruit-bearing branches and carefully managing orchards in the weeks leading up to harvest.
One of the major challenges after fruit set is the dropping of small fruits. A PhD scholar in agronomy explained that this is mainly caused by high temperatures, nutrient deficiencies, hot dry winds, and the tree’s natural tendency to shed excess fruit beyond its capacity.
To minimize fruit drop, growers have been advised to ensure balanced fertilization, timely irrigation, and the preservation of natural grass cover during the summer. Experts also recommend avoiding ploughing or the use of rotavators at this stage, as ground cover helps reduce orchard temperatures, prevent sunburn, and limit fruit loss.
Emphasizing nutrient management, M. Iqbal highlighted potassium as the most important element during fruit growth, directly affecting color, size, and flavor. For mango trees older than 15 years, about one kilogram of quality potash fertilizer is recommended, with half of the annual requirement applied after fruit set.
He added that potassium supports photosynthesis, activates enzymes, enhances disease resistance, and regulates water balance, helping trees cope with heat stress. A deficiency, he warned, can result in smaller fruits and poor quality.
Experts have strongly advised against applying nitrogen fertilizers from fruit set until harvest, as it can trigger excessive vegetative growth and divert energy away from fruit development.
Local mango grower M. Imran noted that this imbalance can lead to a disorder where the mango flesh becomes soft, watery, and spongy near the seed, sometimes spreading throughout the pulp and resembling bacterial decay. Calcium deficiency may further aggravate the issue.
