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Time of India

Rain hit mango crop, for good in Malihabad, damaging in other districts

1 2 Lucknow: The sudden change in weather early Thursday morning did not have much impact on mangoes in Malihabad but other districts reported noticeable loss. "As the thunderstorm was not severe, fruit drop was minimal in Malihabad. The light showers will help the fruit not only gain in size but also ripen at least a week early," said Upendra Singh, general secretary of Awadh Aam Utpadak Bagwani Samiti, a group of mango growers from Malihabad. He further said in fruit belts in Unnao, Sitapur, Hardoi and Barabanki, there was considerable loss of crops. A mango orchardist Naseeb Khan said: "At this stage, when mangoes are developing in shape and size, farmers provide frequent irrigation to help fruits ripen and attain the optimum size. Light showers on Thursday would do that naturally for mangoes in Malihabad." This is the second time since April that untimely rain has had a positive impact on the mango crop in Malihabad. The sudden and light rain in the first quarter of April, when mangoes were only an inch long and had just set on trees, also had the same impact on the fruit. As a result, the fruit size was better this time. "After the fruit gets set and starts assuming shape, it needs water to gain in size. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kumira: Scholarships You Can Apply For (Start Now) Google Search Search Now Undo The rain in April was at the opportune time for the fruits," said Singh. Malihabad produces Dussehri, Langda, Lucknauva Safeda and Chausa. Dussehri is the earliest ripening variety, followed by Langda, Lucknauva Safeda and Chausa. Malihabad bears a good mango crop every alternate year. This year, the trees had bumper flowering. "But it was the sudden rise in temperature at the end of Feb and in March that destroyed a lot of flowers," said Naseeb Khan. Mangoes are very sensitive to changes in weather while flowering. Weather conditions affect the emergence of panicles (baur), which is the first stage of the crop and starts in Jan. The fruit starts setting in by mid-March and by the end of May gain a certain size. While Dussehris start ripening naturally by May end or the start of June, other varieties do so by the end of June.