The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Variety of mangoes from a single tree

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Variety of mangoes from a single tree

R. Arivanantham

Old and unproductive trees rejuvenated through ‘top work’ method

— Photo: N. Bashkaran

To increase yield: Sundararajan (left) agriculture scientist, Dr. Perumal Krishi Vignan Kendra, Krishnagiri, and N. Subramanian a farmer from Salem, showing the mango tree rejuvenated through ‘top work’ technology in Hosur.

KRISHNAGIRI: Rejuvenation of old and unproductive mango trees through ‘top work’ method adopted after a prolonged ‘On Farm Trial’ by Dr. Perumal Krishi Vignan Kendra (KVK) in 2007-08 in Krishnagiri district is successful.

Through this technique, one can get multiple varieties of mangoes from a single tree.

On a pilot basis, the method was adopted in Hosur town and Ikundam and Kothapalli villages.

Sundararajan, an agricultural scientist in the Kendra, told The Hindu that the KVK took the initiative to undertake an intensive research on rejuvenation of old trees to increase the yield of mango in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri district, the Mango Corridor in this region.

The ‘top work’ technique was adopted with the help of N. Subramaniam, a Salem-based farmer, who has been practicing this method for the last 25 years in different parts of the State.

The yield of mango trees would start decreasing after 35 to 40 years.

Rejuvenation through top work method would maximise the yield without much investment and uprooting of the old trees.

Under the technique, unwanted branches of the old trees should be pruned at a height of 1 to 2 metres above the ground level during December.

The exposed surface of the trees would be treated with fungicide to protect it from infection.

After four months of pruning, shoots would emerge from the branches. At this stage, selective and regular thinning would facilitate development of canopy.

Except five to six healthy shoots, others should be clipped for the development of the canopy.

According to Mr. Subramanian, after rejuvenation, the desired variety of mangoes can be grafted on the newly-emerged shoots through veneer and soft wood grafting during July-August.

Only four to five grafting per branch should be performed.

Grafting

Much attention should be given while grafting the varieties. Mango varieties that can grow at an equal speed, i.e. Imam Pasand, Malliga, Banganapalli and Amarapali should be grafted in one tree. Alphonsa, Salem Bangaloora, Rajapuri and Senthura can be grafted.

After grafting, the stem should be covered with a plastic tube. The tube should be removed after the stem starts sprouting. Unwanted shoots should also be removed or clipped during this period, he added.

Mr. Subramanian said he had adopted the technique in more than 10,000 mango trees in Morappur in Dharmapuri district, Kondappanayakappatti on the foothills of Yercaud, Thalavadi in Erode and Dindigul.

Grafted trees required intensive and timely care for an year to get optimum production.

Mr. Subramanian said the method could be adopted in amla, brinjal, tamarind, orange, mosambi, suppota etc.

Mr. Sundararajan said three years from grafting, the trees would have good bearing potential and the yield would go up year after year.

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