MANGO PRODUCTION

Introduction
Mango is an important cash crop in Kenya. It is produced for both local
and export markets. Mango can be eaten fresh or processed into various
products such as juices, wine, dried fruit, chutney, pickles, jams and jellies.
The fruit can provide a large proportion of the daily human requirements
of essential minerals and vitamins.

Unavailability of quality planting materials, high cost of inputs, inadequate

information on market opportunities and pest and disease managements
are some of the major production constraints in Kenya. Despite these
constraints, there is a potential to enhance mango production and
productivity.

Ecological Requirement
Mango can be grown successfully in a wide range of soils provided they
are deep, well drained and fertile. Although an annual rainfall of 850-
1000 mm is sufficient, this fruit can survive in areas with low rainfall (300
mm).

There should be a distinct dry season before and during flowering. In

areas with two rainy seasons, flowering and fruit production may occur
twice a year. In Kenya, the major production season is December to
March and in some areas a low season occurs between May and August.
For optimum growth and productivity, an average annual temperature of
between 20 and 30oC is ideal. High temperatures are important during
the ripening stage.

Mango grows well below an altitude of 1000m. However due to the

diverse cultivars, the plant can yield well up to an altitude of 1800m
above sea level.

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 Fig. 1: Land suitability map for mango
Source: KALRO Kenya Soil Survey

Cultivars/Varieties
A wide range of mango cultivars is grown in Kenya. The local coastal
varieties include Apple, Ngowe, Boribo, Batawi, Dodo, Kiarabu, Kimji
and Kitovu. Cultivars introduced in Kenya primarily for export include
Tommy Atkins, Van Dyke, Alfonse, Haden, Keitt, Kent, Sensation, and
Sabine.

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 Fig. 2: Land suitability map for commercial mango varieties
Source: KALRO Kenya Soil Survey

Propagation
Mango is propagated vegetatively (true-to-type) or by seed (heterozygous
or not true to type). Several varieties have been recommended mainly
for use as rootstocks.

Seed propagation: The selection of suitable rootstock is important as it

influences the growth, yield, fruit maturity and soil adaptability. In Kenya
Peach and Sabre are the recommended dwarfing rootstocks that are
recommended for highland agro-ecological zones. Other rootstocks
include Kitovu, Kimiji, Dodo and Shikio-punda which are recommended
for the coastal lowlands. Some dwarfing has been observed with Kimji,
Dodo and Shikio-punda.

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Fig. 3: Land suitability map for commercial rootstock mango varieties
Source: KALRO Kenya Soil Survey

Mango seeds remain viable for only a short time (3 to 5 weeks).

Germination rate and vigor of seedlings is best when seeds are obtained
from fully ripe fruits. Before planting, the hard woody endocarp should
be removed to examine the seed for disease or any damage caused by
the mango weevil. The de-husked seeds are treated with fungicide and
immediately planted. They are sown at a spacing of 15 x 30cm and 5cm
deep.

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 A B
Fig. 4: Mango seed with husk (hard wood endocarp (A) and de-husked
seed (B)
Source: Lusike Wasilwa, KALRO

Methods of seedling propagation

1. Seeds planted with the convex side up germinate in 2 to 4 weeks.
2. Seedlings are ready for transplanting 5 to 6 weeks later when
they are about 10cm in height.
3. Transplant into a nursery bed at a distance of 40 x100cm or in
poly-bags.
4. Irrigate seedlings during dry periods and apply fertilizer regularly
(every 6 weeks).
5. Seedlings are ready for grafting when they have reached pencil
thickness at about 20cm above sea level.

Fig. 5: Mango seed ready for planting with convex side up

Source: Lusike Wasilwa, KALRO

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Preparation of Scion Materials
1. The mother plant should be disease free and high yielding.
2. The best scion material is obtained from the tips of mature
rounded shoots with prominent buds (tip wood) immediately
before flushing.
3. The tip wood is prepared 2 to 3 weeks before use by removal
of leaves from the scion, leaving 1cm of petiole (leave stem)
remaining.
4. Cut the graft stick (6-8 cm long) from the mother tree and place
then in a moist container e.g. cold box, polyethylene bags etc.

Fig. 6. Mango scions ready for grafting

Source: Lusike Wasilwa, KALRO

Vegetative Propagation
- The fruits of mango seedlings do not breed true-to-type hence
do not resemble the parent tree.
- Grafting in mangoes is recommended to shorten time to
production, obtain true to type plants and obtain dwarf plants
for easy management.

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Mango is propagated by grafting a recommended scion onto a rootstock
as follows: -

1. Insert the scion into the rootstock using slight pressure above
the proposed union.
2. Ensure that the scion and stock are well aligned (cambium layers
correspond).
3. Grafting tape can be applied lightly over the graft union to
prevent entry of fungi or water.
4. Remove the top portion of the stock after 4-5 weeks with
secateurs at the point immediately above the union.

1) Top-Wedge Grafting

Procedure
• Obtain scions from new wood (current season flushes).
• Should be pencil-size with 3-4 nodes. Few leaves below the graft
union enhances success.
• Make a wedge-like slanting cut at the base of the scion with a
sharp grafting knife.
• Make a vertical union at the top of the rootstock.
• Fit the 2 pieces together and wrap firmly with a grafting tape.

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 Fig. 7:Top-wedge grafting of mango
Source: Lusike Wasilwa, KALRO and Nicholas Mwole, Tete Farm

2. Side Wedge Grafting

Procedure
This graft is used when the stocks are much larger than the scion
material).
- Make a long sloping cut (25-30mm long) on the stock at 10 – 20
cm above soil level. Retain the top portion temporarily.
- Cut the scion in a wedge fashion with one side of the wedge
being slightly longer than the other. The length of the wedge
should match the cut in the stock.

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 Fig. 8: Side-wedge grafting of mango
Source: Lusike Wasilwa, KALRO

Care of grafts
• Place newly grafted plants under 50% shade. They should not be
over-watered as the roots have a reduced leaf area to support
and are easily damaged by over watering.
• After 2-3 weeks loosen the grafting tape on the scion which is
progressively removed within 6 weeks depending on the scion
growth.
• Any shoots developing below the union must be removed, as
they will affect scion growth.

Orchard Establishment
1. Grafted trees may be transplanted to the field within 6 months
of grafting depending on growth and vigor of the plants. About
6 weeks before transplanting the taproot should be cut back to
about 30cm.
2. Establish the orchard at the start of the rainy season. Deep
ploughing is recommended.
3. Dig holes 60x60x60cm at a spacing from 9x9m to 13x13
depending on growth characteristic of the individual variety,

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 type of soil and other ecological factors.
4. Separate the top soil (30cm) from the sub soil.
5. Mix one – 2 debes of well decomposed manure and 60g (3table
spoons) of DAP with top soil and return this to the hole.
6. Refill the hole with the sub-soil and then press the soil around
the stem firmly.
7. Cover with mulch and water after planting

Orchard Management
1. Intercropping with annual crops in the first 5 years is
recommended to maximize revenues until economical mango
yield is attained.
2. Mulching: it is recommended to suppress weeds and retention
of soil moisture.
3. Pruning: formative pruning is necessary to shape them. Maintain
a single stem up to 75cm-1metre high.
4. Capping: when the tree is 1metre high, cut off the central
leader to encourage lateral growth of branches.
5. Allow 3-5 side branches to develop and maintain the branches
spaced equally around the single stem.
6. Only 1 shoot should be allowed to grow

Young Orchard Management - Weeding: keep the area under tree

canopy free from weeds.

Old and Mature Mango Orchard Management

1. Pruning: pruning established trees is important to remove dead
or hanging branches and to open up the canopy to facilitate light
penetration and reduce disease incidence. Remove all branches
that fall below 1m from the ground.
2. Pollarding: severe pruning of the tree at a height of about 3m
from the ground. It is done to aged but productive trees with
large canopies that are difficult to manage.
3. Coppicing: is the cutting down of the tree at a height of 1.5 to
2 m. It is done to old unproductive or low yielding trees. Once

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 the tree has been coppiced, the stump produces several sprouts
within 2 to 3 months. The sprouts can be allowed to grow or
can be grafted with desired varieties (top working)
4. Top working: grafting of sprouts from coppiced trees. 3 – 4
sprouts per stem are top

Fig. 9: Trees that have been pruned to open up the centre of the tree
Source: Lusike Wasilwa, KALRO

Fig. 10: An aged mango tree after pollarding

Source: Lusike Wasilwa, KALRO

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 Fig. 11: Coppiced mature trees showing rapid generation
Source: Lusike Wasilwa, KALRO

Fertilizer
The following fertilizer application regime is recommended. Fertilization:
how much and how often to fertilize mango trees is generally determined
by the age of the tree and soil fertility. Fertilizer NPK 20:20:10 should be
applied in two split applications just before the short and long rains. The
fertilizer should be applied under the tree canopy and away from the
tree trunk. It should be gently incorporated into the soil to avoid runoff.
Rates of fertilizer should be increased as the tree grows to a maximum
of ten years (Table 2).

Table 2: Recommended fertilizer and manure rates for mango

Year FYM DAP CAN NPK
LR SR LR SR LR SR LR SR
1. 2 1 150 50 50 150 150
2. 2 2 150 100 100 200 200
3. 2 2 200 100 150 200 200
4. 3 2 200 200 200 200 200
5. 3 2 200 200 200 200 200
>6
3 2 200 200 200 200 200
LR = Long rains; SR = Short rains; FYM – Farm yard manure in debes

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Flower inducement
• Flower Inducement: to reduce off-season crop is done in two
ways:
• By spraying the tree with potassium nitrate 2-3 kg/ha or 30-40g/
tree) when plants are dormant
• By depriving the plants water for a period of 1-2 months to
induce stress and then irrigate the plants regularly

Harvesting
For seedlings depending on cultivars and environmental conditions it
takes 90 to 160 days after flowering for mangoes in Kenya to reach
maturity. Not all fruits on one tree will ripen at the same time.
- Harvest mango fruits at the mature-green stage; when they are
hard and green. A mature fruit has well developed shoulders
(region around the fruit stem) and when it is cut open 50% of
the pericarp (flesh) has changed from greenish white to yellow-
orange.
- Harvest the fruit with care. Use a ladder to pick them or use a
bucket and hook method. The stalk should be about 3-5cm.

Fig. 12: Mango harvesting tool

Source: Lusike Wasilwa, KALRO

Pests and disease control

Various diseases and pests affect mango. Major pests of economic
importance include mango fruit fly, mango weevil, leafhoppers, mango
shoot caterpillar, mealybugs, mango tip borer and scales. Disease of
economic importance include powdery mildew, anthracnose, scab and
stem end rot.

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Table 3. Pests and diseases of economic importance on mango
Pest or Disease Damage and Description
Diseases
Anthracnose - This fungal pathogen infects flowers, Cultural control:
(Colletotrichum gloesporioides) young fruits, leaves, young twigs -Field sanitation – remove all fruit
- Black sunken irregular lesions from orchard floor and bury (0.5m)
(spots) form on flowers, fruits (see -Prune diseased twigs and flowers
picture) and leaves and burn them along with fallen
- Infection on these plant parts may leaves and fruits
lead to death of the flowers before Genetic resistance:
fruits are produced -Plant tolerant varieties e.g. Tommy
- Most green fruit infections remain Atkins
hidden until fruit ripening Postharvest management:
- Fruits may drop from trees -Dip fruits in Carbendazim (0.1%) in
Fruit with lesion showing prematurely hot water at 52°C for 15minutes
fungal lesion sporulation - On leaves, damage appear as angular, -Dip fruits in warm water (53°C)
Source: Lusike Wasilwa, brown to black spots for 5-10 minutes, then in tap waters
KALRO - This picture shows mango fruit for 2 hours to cool down
infected with anthracnose -There feasible store the fruits at
10-12°C
Chemical control:
-Apply copper based fungicides e.g.
Kocide DF, Copper oxychloride,

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
Antracol from flower development
until harvest
-Spray with either Azoxystrobin
or Difenoconazole based
products using manufactures
recommendations
Note: chemical control should be
avoided
Bacterial spot - Black lesions form on fruit thus Cultural control:
Xanthomonas campestris lowering fruit quality. -Provide a windbreak for the mango
- The lesions produce a gummy orchard
exudate -Prune and burn infected stems
Chemical control:
-Apply copper based fungicides e.g.
Kocide DF, Copper oxychloride

Source: Lusike Wasilwa,

KALRO

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
Powdery mildew - Is one of the most serious diseases Cultural control:
(Oidium mangiferae) of mango affecting almost all the -Collect and burn or bury all
varieties infected plant parts to reduce
- Infected plants display white survival of the fungus on fallen plant
powdery spots on the leaves and waste
stems -Remove severely infected plant
- The lower leaves are the most parts from the trees and burn them
affected -Prune mango trees and remove tall
- The symptoms appear on the upper weeds to improve air circulation
part of leaves, flower stalks, flowers and reduce disease in an orchard
and young fruits Chemical control:
Control -Apply fungicides such as Topsin M
- Use proper spacing to avoid (Thiophanate methyl 500g/l) and
overcrowding. Trees are spaced Nativo SC (Trifloxystrobin 100g/l
10x10m + Tebuconazole 200g/l) at 50%
- Regular pruning of mango trees to flowering stage or when the first
Source: Lusike Wasilwa, enhance aeration signs of disease are observed
KALRO - Remove plant residues e.g. leaves
and twigs and bury 2 feet deep or -Read the fungicide label carefully
burn them and follow the manufacturer’s
- Weed farms to remove alternative instructions
hosts

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
- Use chemical fungicides e.g. Nativo
SC or Explorer 0.3 SL. Start the
fungicide regime a month to
flowering of mangoes. Follow
manufacturers recommendations

Mango scab - Brown spots surrounded by yellow Cultural control:

Elsinoe mangiferae or edges and dark dead tissue on the -Plant at low altitude at 1,200 ASL
Denticularia mangiferae lower surfaces and elongated along and below
main veins under the leaves -Prune the trees to allow
- Disease occurs as slightly raised grey penetration of sunlight
oval wounds, 1 to 2 mm in diameter. -Prune and burn or burying deep
- Symptoms can be large light tan any infected plant parts
corky areas which resemble scar -Collect and destroy by burning any
tissue from insect injury fallen fruits, branches and leaves
- Disease occurs as small black
wounds on newly set fruit Genetic Resistance
- Heavily affected fruits fall -Plant resistant or tolerant varieties.
Source: Lusike Wasilwa,
-Where the disease is prevalent,
KALRO
avoid growing apple variety
Certified seedlings:

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
-Purchase disease free seedlings
from reputable nurseries such as
KALRO
Chemical control:
-Apply weekly sprays of copper
based fungicides such as Copper
hydroxide 77% and Copper (I)oxide
in nurseries to control infection
especially in wet weather
Pests
Mango seed weevil -The pest barrows into the fruit Cultural control:
Sternochetus mangifera -It is a small beetle whose larvae Field hygiene – bury deeply all
burrows through the pulp to feed on the rotten fruits
developing seed -Early scouting to detect presence
-The pest is spread through fruit, seed and taking action will reduce
and cuttings containing larvae, pupae or damages and loss
adult -Collect all fallen fruits immediately
-Premature early fruit drop occurs after mango harvest and burn or
causing reduced yield burry deeply or put in drum with
-The mango seed weevil emerges from water to drown the weevil
Fruit seed damaged by mango the seed of the fallen fruits
seed weevil -The pest damages fruit pulp leading to
Source: Muo Kasina, KALRO lower fruit quality

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
Chemical control:
-Spray with Labaycid, from of fruit
set until fruits are about 5 mm in
diameter
-Paint the trunk, with white wash
mixed with an insecticide like
Dusban to prevent weevil from
climbing the tree
-Apply banding materials such as
Chlorpyrifos and grease bands
Seed damaged by mango seed weevil
Tangle foot
Source: Lusike Wasilwa, KALRO
Mango weevil adult on pulp -Band tree trunks 15-30 cm from
Source: Lusike Wasilwa, the ground
KALRO

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
Mango fruit flies -Fruit flies cause serious damage to fruits Pheromone traps:
African invader fly (Bactrocera -Yield loss on mango due to this pest in -Use Methyl-eugenol mixed with a
dorsalis), Mediterranean fruit Kenya can be as high as 30% to 80% in pesticide (lures to be replaced once
fly (Ceratitis capitate), Mango some areas in 30 – 40 days) for B. dorsalis;
fruit fly or Marula fruit fly -Fruit flies attack fruits when they are
(Ceratitis cosyra) mature and ready for harvesting -TriMed lure and a toxicant for
-Attacked fruits usually shows oviposition Ceratitis cosyra, and C. capitata (to be
marks (made by females while laying eggs) serviced every 6 weeks)
around which necrosis may occur Biological control:
-Pesticides application is not -Fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae) could
recommended at this time because of be used to manage the pest.
residual residues
-When the eggs hatch, the maggots feed Cultural practices:
on the fruit flesh making passageways -Field sanitation - collect all
-Leads to wide spread fruit drop damaged fruits from orchard floor
and bury them deep (0.5m)
-Submerge the rotten fruit in a
drum of water to drown the worms
-Harvest fruit at the mature-green
Fruit injury caused by fruit fly stage
Source: Lusike Wasilwa,
KALRO

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
Protein bait sprays
-Use beer waste based protein
baits/molasses mixed with a very
small amount of insecticide and
applied as a spot spray to the foliage
Chemical control:
-Use insecticides such as Spinosad
products e.g. Tracer* 480 SC
(Spinosad 480g/L), Delegate* 250
African invader fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) WG. (Spinetoram 250g/L)
Mango pulp damage by fruit and Mango fruit fly or Marula fruit fly
fly (Ceratitis cosyra)
Source: Lusike Wasilwa, - Source: J. Mulwa
KALRO

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
Mango gall midge - The insect pest is active during leaf Field sanitation:
Erosomya mangiferae flush after rains -Keep the field clean by raking and
- Gall midge lays eggs on leaves that burning the leaves
form pimple-or-wart-like structures -Prune infested brunches
(see picture) that turn from brown -Keep the field free of weeds that
to black serve as alternate hosts
- If infestation is high, leaf defoliation Genetic resistance:
occurs -Plant tolerant or resistant mango
varieties e.g. Tommy Atkins
Sticky traps:
-Use sticky traps to trap the flies
Chemical control:
-Use Confidor at the peak of
the flushing period when gall
midges are extremely active. This
pesticide can be alternated with
Decis(Deltamethrine) following the
manufacturers recommendations

Leaf damage by gall midge

Source: Lusike Wasilwa,
KALRO

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
Mango scales and mango - Found on leaves, stems and fruits Cultural control:
sooty mold (Meliola - The scales are yellow or mostly white -Prune plant parts that are highly
mangiferae) in colour and can be seen moving infested and burn them
actively on the foliage or fruit Manual control:
- The scale insect excrete large -When the infestation is not high,
amounts of honeydew which scales can be rubbed of the tree
promote the growth of sooty mold Botanicals/ Biopesticides:
(see picture) -Use insecticidal soap
-Use a chili spray - 4 cups of ripe
chili pods or 5 cups of chili seed in
3 liters of water and boil for 15-
20 minutes, cool, strain and spray
(Pesticide Action Network)
Chemical control:
Fruit with sooty mold damage -Use a mixture of either Confidor
Source: ICRI-KALRO Mtwapa or Folimat with D-Citron and apply
when the scales are at crawler stage

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
Mango Mealybugs - Mealybugs can be located by tracing Manual control:
(Maconellicoccus hirsutus) the path of feeder ants on the stems -When the infestation is not high,
and branches mealybugs can be picked or rubbed
off the tree
- Adult mealybugs have a white mealy Cultural control:
wax cover. When the infestation -Prune plant parts that are highly
is high they have a cotton-like infested and burn them
appearance (see picture) Biological control:
- The picture shows an advance -Can be controlled by application of
mealybug infestation Metarhizium strains
Fruit covered by mealybug
-Use entopathogenic nematodes
matt - A heavy infestation will cause leaf, (EPNs)
Source: Maxwell Billah flower and fruit drop Botanicals/ Biopesticides:
-Use insecticidal soap
-Use a chili spray - 4 cups of ripe
chili pods or 5 cups of chili seed in
3 liters of water and boil for 15-
20 minutes, cool, strain and spray
(Pesticide Action Network)
Chemical control:
Fruit damaged by mealybugs -Use a mixture of either Confidor
Source: Lusike Wasilwa, or Folimat with D-Citron and apply
KALRO when the scales are at crawler stage

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
Thrips Flower thrips - Thrips feed on the surface of the Cultural control:
(Scirtothrips sp.) green husk and deposit their excreta -Regular scouting of the orchard is
giving the nut a pale-brown/bronze encouraged
coloration -Splash with ash on flower buds
-Use plant extracts from tephrosia
- Thrips damage is sporadic and does and chilly
not affect yield Biological controls:
- Thrips are not visible to the naked -Use of blue sticky traps. Use
eye Fawligen (Bt) or use Metarhizium
strains/ Also use neem-based
- Variety MRG-1 (upcoming variety) biopesticides e.g. Nemacide
is more susceptible to thrips than Trap crops:
other recommended varieties. -Plant sorghum, and tithonia
- Thrips feed on flower buds causing Chemical control:
abortion or premature nut drop -Spot-treat clusters with thrips with
These insects are vectors for viruses mild pesticides such as corragen,
that cause stunted growth and a karate, duduthrim etc.
reduction in yield

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Pest or Disease Damage and Description
Mango rose flower beetle -The mango rose flower beetles damage Mechanical control:
and destroy the flowers and thus impact -Pick and crush the beetles manually
on fruit set and subsequent yield Biological control:
-This beetle is a heavy feeder and few -Use natural enemies to control
numbers can cause high losses the pest (studies on the way by
KALRO)
Chemical control:
-Difficult to control the adult
beetles. Can best control them
when they are in the soil

Note:
Use only the synthetic pesticides registered by Pest Control Products Board (www.pcpb.or.ke). Chemical control
should be avoided.

If the problem persists, seek immediate technical support from a KALRO Centre nearest to you. Other quick
sources of help are Plant Clinics, County Agriculture Office or write to [email protected]

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Harvesting
Mangoes begin to bear 3-4 years after planting for grafted trees.

Table 3. Mango production expected yields

Year Yield
3 500
4 1,000
5 5,000
6 10,000
≥7 15,000

Table 4. Time of mango bearing

County N D J F M A M J J A S O
Kilifi X X X X X X X
Malindi X X X X X X
Kwale X X X X
Lamu X X X X X X X
Lower
Tana X X X X X X X X X
River
Taita X X
Taveta
Province
Central X X X X X
Eastern X X X X X
North X X X
Eastern
Nairobi X X X X X
Nyanza X X X X X X
Rift X X X X X
Valley
Western X X X X X X

Source: MoA, 2007; Griesbach, 2003

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 Compiled by: Njuguna J. K. and Pole F. N.

Editor: Wasilwa L.A.

Booklet funded by:

Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization
FARM-Africa, MATF Project
More information can be obtained from:
KALRO–HRI Kandara, P.O. Box 220, Thika
Email: [email protected]
2nd revision 2024
Date: March 2024

Design and layout by Emma Nyaola

KALRO/NAV CDP/Mango/Pamphlet No. 075/2024

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