India: New mango variety causes a stir

The first of its kind in the country, a new variety of mango known as the Konkan Samarat promises greater sweetness, richer colour and is pipped to increase production of the fruit across the state

Scientists from the Regional Fruit Research Station (RFRS) at Vengurle in Sindhudurg district, 359 km from Pune, have developed a variety of mango called the Konkan Samarat, a hybrid between Alphonso (Hapoos) and Tommy Atkins, which promises a high yield as well as sustainability in a changing climate. With this variety, scientists claim, mango production in the state can be increased over the next few years without any additional input cost.

The new variety is a result of 17 years of research, and is the first time in the country that scientists have successfully created a new species of mango using a foreign breed. Atkins mangoes currently dominate the international export trade in mangoes, because of their easy transportability, higher yield potential, longer shelf life and appealing colour.

Senior scientist and associate director at RFRS, Dr Bharat Salvi, told Mirror, "This is the first time in the country that scientists have successfully developed a new variety from a foreign breed. The Konkan Samarat has been developed and released for the state as well. Using this variety, the state can increase mango production in the future."

Mango growers in the state are currently facing problems with the Alphonso — the alternate-year yield capacity and presence of spongy tissues in the fruit are resulting in low production.

"The new variety, on average, weighs about 450-500 gms per fruit, which have a deep yellow pulp and are high in Total Soluble Solids (TSS)," Salvi said.

The centre has grown 13 varieties of foreign mangoes on their premises, Atkins being one of them. The Atkins sapling was brought over in 1997.

"The Konkan Samarat is expected to yield 17.22 kg per tree, as against the average yield of 13 kg of the existing varieties," said scientist AY Munj of RFRS.

The new species also bears fruit more regularly than the Alphonso, which comes to fruition only on alternate years. Its fruit have a higher pulp content and longer shelf life, extending to 12 days at room temperature after ripening.

"This variety will replace ageing mango trees as it is resistant to mango malformation and most pests. The multiplication of this variety will start from next year. The centre will make saplings available next year and, in the next five years, a large number of farmers in the state will adopt this variety," Munj added.

According to officials at the Ministry of Agriculture, about 80 per cent of mangoes sold in supermarkets in the United Kingdom are Tommy Atkins. It is predominant in the United States as well, and is the most extensively cultivated export mango in the world.

Salvi opined that Konkan Samarat mangoes will be a good option for export. "The variety has some of Atkins' finer characteristics — longer shelf life, sweetness and appealing colour. It will be a better option for the country," Salvi added.

Source: www.punemirror.in

Publication date: 7/28/2014

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