Mangoes, known as the "king of fruits," are loved worldwide for their delicious taste and high nutritional value. However, growing healthy mangoes comes with challenges, mainly due to major pests of mango and major diseases of mango that can reduce yield and affect fruit quality. Proper mango disease and pest management is essential to protect the crop and ensure a successful harvest. By understanding mango pests and their control, farmers can take the right steps to maintain healthy mango orchards.
List of Mango Diseases & Pests
Pests
Diseases
- Mango Malformation
- Mango Anthracnose
- Mango Red Rust
- Mango Black Tip and Internal Necrosis
- Mango Fruit Drop
- Mango Dieback
Major Pests of Mango
1. Mango Hoppers
Mango hoppers (Idioscopus niveoparsus) are sap-sucking insects that can cause significant damage to mango trees.
Symptoms and Damage:
Initial Symptoms:
- Pale yellow, wedge-shaped nymphs on leaf undersides and branch crevices.
- Sticky honeydew on leaves, attracting ants and causing sooty mold.
- Yellowing and curling of young leaves due to sap sucking.
- Increased adult hopper activity near flowers and fruits.
Severe Symptoms:
- Heavy leaf fall and defoliation, leaving branches bare.
- Reduced fruit set and yield due to flower damage.
- Stunted tree growth in severe cases.
Control Measures:
- K-Cyper25 (Cypermethrin 25% EC): Mix 200 ml to 300 ml in water accordingly to cover an area.
- Imd-178 (Imidacloprid 17.8% SL): Use 80-100 ml per acre.
- Activated Neem oil: Effective for organic management.
2. Mango Mealy Bugs
The mango mealybug (Drosicha mangiferae) is a major pest of mango that feeds on plant sap, weakening the tree.
Symptoms and Damage:
Initial Symptoms of Mango Mealybug Infestation:
- Presence of nymphs and adults
- Honeydew
- Leaf curling and discoloration
- Stunted growth
- Flower and fruit drop
Severe Symptoms of Mango Mealybug Infestation:
- Heavy sooty mold growth
- Dieback of branches
- Reduced fruit quality
- Overall tree decline
Control Measures:
- CHLORO20 (Chloropyriphos 20% EC): Apply 400 ml per acre.
- Imd-178 (Imidacloprid 17.8% SL): Use 80-100 ml per acre.
- Activated Neem oil: Effective for organic management.
3. Mango Fruit Flies
The mango fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) poses a significant threat, they pierce the skin of ripe fruits and lay their eggs in the inside flesh.
Symptoms and Damage
Initial Symptoms:
- Tiny brownish dimples or sunken patches on the fruit.
- Slight softening at the puncture points.
- Presence of sticky sap or oozing liquid around the dimples.
- Faint, unpleasant odor emanating from the fruit.
Severe Symptoms:
- Large, sunken brown patches or even open wounds.
- Significant softening and wrinkling of the fruit.
- Presence of maggots inside the fruit.
Control Measures:
- Attack-CS (Lambda-Cyhalothrin 4.9 %) Use 300-500 ml per Acre.
- MAL 50 (Malathion 50 % EC) Use 250-300 ml per Acre.
- Activated Neem oil: Effective for organic management.
Major Diseases of Mango
1. Mango Malformation
Mango malformation is a fungal disease caused by the pathogen Fusarium moliliforme, which disrupts the normal growth of mango flowers, leaves and branches.
Symptoms and Damage:
- Clustered Leaves: Small, bushy leaf clusters at one point on the branch.
- Abnormal Flowering: Unusual enlargement of flowers, which fail to develop into fruits.
- Stunted Growth: Limited or no vegetative growth in affected branches.
- Premature Fruit Drop: In severe cases, even the few fruits that form drop prematurely.
Control Measures:
- Prune affected branches to prevent further spread.
- Azozole (Azoxystrobin 18.2% + Difenoconazole 11.4% SC) Use at a dosage of 20 ml per pump (16 liters of water).
2. Mango Anthracnose
A fungal mango plant disease that affects various parts of the mango tree, including leaves, flowers, and fruits, especially under humid conditions.
Symptoms and Damage:
Initial Signs:
- Leaves: Small, raised brown or black spots on either surface.
- Flowers: Brown or black discoloration, starting from petals and sepals.
- Twigs & Stems: Small, dark lesions on young branches.
- Fruits: Tiny sunken brown or black spots, often near the stem.
Severe Symptoms:
- Leaves: Extensive browning, distortion, and defoliation.
- Flowers: Complete shriveling and flower drop.
- Twigs & Stems: Large, sunken, cracked cankers.
- Fruits: Enlarged black blemishes merging into irregular patches.
Control Measures:
- CONCOR (Difenconazole 25 % EC) Use 120 ml - 150 ml / Acre.
- Bordeaux mixture - Mix 1 L bordeaux mixture with 200 L water and use for spray
3. Mango Red Rust
Red rust in mango affects leaves and young twigs, reducing photosynthesis and causing defoliation. It begins as small green patches that turn red and rusty, merging into irregular spots as the disease progresses.
Symptoms and Damage: Appearance of orange-red pustules on leaves, leading to defoliation and reduced photosynthetic capacity.
Control Measures:
- Use Katyayani Hexa 5 Plus (Hexaconazole 5 SC) Fungicide.
- Use Katyayani Sulvet (Sulphur 80% WDG) Fungicide.
4. Mango Black Tip and Internal Necrosis
Starts at the marble stage with yellowing at the fruit's tip, turning brown and then black, leading to necrosis. Affected fruits become unmarketable, reducing yield significantly.
Symptoms and Damage: Blackening of the fruit tip and internal tissue necrosis, leading to unmarketable produce.
Control Measures:
- Use Katyayani Bordeaux mixture (Copper Sulphate 3.0% + Calcium Hydroxide 0.6%) Fungicide.
5. Mango Fruit Drop
Flower and fruit drop in mango trees occurs due to unfavorable weather, poor nutrition, excess water, pests, or extreme stress like strong winds and storms.
Symptoms and Damage: Abscission of flowers and immature fruits, often triggered by environmental stresses, nutrient deficiencies, or pest infestations.
Control Measures:
- Use Katyayani Boron 20% EDTA Fertilizer.
- Use Katyayani Calcium Nitrate Fertilizer.
6. Mango Dieback
A severe disease causing twig darkening and drying from the tip down, leading to withering, defoliation and branch death. It affects older trees, causing scorched leaves, internal wood browning, branch cracking, and gum exudation.
Symptoms and Damage: Wilting and drying of twigs and branches, leading to reduced canopy size and fruit yield.
Control Measures:
- Use Katyayani Azozole (Azoxystrobin 18.2% + Difenoconazole 11.4% SC) Fungicide.
Conclusion
Ensuring a healthy mango harvest requires proactive pest and disease management. Prioritizing these practices not only boosts yield but also contributes to sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring that mangoes remain a cherished fruit worldwide.
By focusing on these key areas, mango growers can achieve optimal health for their trees while maximizing their harvest potential through effective mango pest and disease management strategies. Understanding the major pests and diseases of mango, as well as their control methods, is essential for successful cultivation. For optimal results, integrating chemical controls with biological solutions ensures better outcomes in managing both pests and diseases effectively.
