Abstract
Six experiments were carried out to determine the influence of management practices
such as fertilizers, irrigation and mulching, plant growth substances and application of
pest control measures for 17 year-old mango (Mangifera indica L) plants cv. Mallika at
the Regional Horticulture Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute
(BARI), Chapai Nawabganj during the period from July 2009 to July 2012 covering three
fruiting seasons. Cowdung 45 kg, urea 4.0 kg, TSP 2.5 kg, MP 2.5 kg, gypsum 1.2 kg zinc sulphate
40 g, copper sulphate 25 g and boric acid 60 g applied entirely after harvest except urea in
four splits in mid-July, mid-September, 1st week of March and 1st week of April and
MP in two splits in mid-July and 1st week of March produced the highest initial fruit
set per panicle (31.27), fruit retention at marble stage per panicle (6.62), number of
fruits per plant (206.00) and yield per plant (98.90 kg) with the longest shelf life (8.53
days). The highest TSS, vitamin C and dry matter contents but the lowest moisture
content was also recorded in this treatment. Plants irrigated at two weeks interval
combined with water hyacinth mulch produced the highest number of fruits per plant
as well as the highest yield per plant. The heaviest fruit, maximum edible portion and
the longest shelf life were also registered in the plants receiving this treatment. The
highest initial fruit set (30.23), fruit retention (6.52), number of fruits per plant (177.67)
as well as yield (88.49 kg) were recorded in urea at 4%+ NAA at 40 ppm. The heaviest
fruit (498.06 g) contributing to the highest edible portion (78.10%) with the longest
shelf life (7.95 days), the highest TSS (24.74%), vitamin C content (23.68 mg/100 g
pulp), dry matter (19.93%) and total sugar (18.83%) was also obtained in this
treatment. The best treatments as fertilizers like cowdung 45 kg, urea 4.0 kg, TSP 2.5 kg, MP
2.5 kg, gypsum 1.2 kg zinc sulphate 40 g, copper sulphate 25 g and boric acid 60 g + irrigation at
two weeks interval combined with water hyacinth mulch + urea at 4% combined with
NAA at 40 ppm + pest control measure as Admire + Cabriotop + Sumithion + Methyl
eugenol produced the highest number of fruits per plant (239.67) and marketable fruits
per plant (229.33) covering 95.67% of total number of fruits as well as marketable fruit
yield per plant (120.63 kg). Control produced the highest number and percentage of
unmarketable fruits (29.37 and 27.13%, respectively). The heaviest fruit (526.02 g)
contributing maximum edible portion (78.66%), TSS (24.25%) and the longest shelf life
(8.19 days) was also observed in plants treated with Admire + Cabriotop + Sumithion
+ Methyl eugenol. The least infestation (3.33%) of fruit fly (post-harvest) was found in
this treatment whereas control registered maximum infestation (16.67%). The highest
weight loss (21.48%) wasas showed in control. In contrary, the lowest weight loss
(12.26%) as well as the longest shelf life (13.13 days) was recorded in treatment with
spray of pre-harvest Bavistin + hot water treatment + garlic extract dipping of fruits
and controlled anthracnose for more than 9 days and stem-end rot for more than 12
days successfully.