Physical, chemical and quality attributes of Alphonso mango (Mangifera indica) fruits of differentorchards in Dharwad district, Karnataka

Abstract

A survey was undertaken during summer 2021 in selected talukas of Dharwad district to ascertain the reasons forwide variation in quality of Alphonso mango fruits produced from different orchards. Totally 32 orchards spread over inDharwad, Alnavar and Kalaghatagi talukas were selected. Soil, index leaf and fruit samples were collected and analysed fornutrients and quality parameters. In index leaf samples, nutrients followed the order N>Ca  K>Mg>S>P while in fruitsamples the order was N  KCa>Mg>P>S. In all fruit samples, pulp+juice contributed 50 to 60 per cent or even more(80 %) to total fruit weight, where as peel contributes 10 to 20 per cent. Ripened mango fruits weigh 10 to 15 grams lesserthan unripened fruits. pH of pulp + juice of mango fruits ranged from 4.25 to 5.13. In all fruits, non-reducing sugars weremore (5.56 to 10.76 %) than reducing sugars (3.15 to 4.44 %). Fruits of Kalaghatagi medium black soil orchards containedhighest total sugars (13.34 %), Beta-carotene pigment (82.53 mg kg-1) and fructose sugar (92.86 mg kg-1), where as thosefrom acid soils and red soils recorded lowest sugars (12.37 %), carotene (68.57 mg kg-1) and fructose sugar (85.71 mg kg-1).Fruit sugar content was significantly and positively correlated with leaf potassium content (r2 =0.43*). To improve the fruitquality in shallow red and acid soils, application of lime, organic matter and critical nutrients particularly (N, K, Ca, Fe and Zn)are recommended