Totapuri Mango Farming: A Comprehensive Guide to Planting, Pruning, Care, and Harvest

Totapuri Mango is a popular and high-yielding variety of mangoes grown in India. It is known for its distinct sweet and sour taste and is used in producing various products such as juice, jam, and pickles. Totapuri Mango farming is gaining popularity due to its high profitability, yielding up to 50-70 tons per hectare. This comprehensive guide will cover everything from planting, pruning, care, and harvesting of Totapuri Mango trees, making it an essential read for any aspiring mango farmer.

Totapuri Mango Farming

What is Totapuri Mango Farming?

Totapuri Mango farming involves the cultivation of the Totapuri Mango variety. These mangoes are medium to large and have an elongated shape with a pointed end, resembling a parrot’s beak. The fruit is usually green when raw and turns bright yellow when ripe. The pulp of the Totapuri Mango is fiberless and has a tangy-sweet taste, making it perfect for processing into mango juice, pulp, and other products.

Totapuri Mango farming is highly profitable, with a potential yield of up to 50-70 tons per hectare. The cultivation of this mango variety is predominantly carried out in the southern states of India, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, other parts of the world, including the United States, Thailand, and Australia. The popularity of the Totapuri Mango variety is due to its distinct taste and texture, making it a favorite among consumers and a lucrative crop for farmers.

Special Features of Totapuri Mango

Totapuri Mango was introduced to Florida as Sandersha in 1901 and Totapuri in the 1960s.
Totapuri originated in India and is the parent of at least two Florida mango varieties, Anderson and Brooks.
Totapuri Mango skin lacks the normal bitter taste of most mango skin, has a very small bitterness, and is generally taken with the flesh.
Bangalore, Collector, Kallamai, Kili Mooku, Gilli, Mukku, “Ottu,” and Sandersha are some of the other names for Totapuri Mango.
It is known as Ginimoothi Maavina Kayi in Bengaluru, and Totapuri or Bangalore in the rest of India.

Advantages of Totapuri Mango Farming

Totapuri Mango farming is highly profitable, with a potential yield of up to 50-70 tons per hectare.
It has a good demand in domestic and international markets, making it a lucrative crop for farmers.
The high yield and long shelf life of Totapuri Mango make it ideal for processing into juice, pulp, and other products, increasing its market value.
According to an IMARC Group report, the global Totapuri Mango market reached 3.3 Million Tons in 2020, with India being the largest producer and exporter.

Pits Preparation for Totapuri Mango

For the selection of a suitable site for the Totapuri Mango plantation, it is important to consider factors such as soil type, climate, and availability of water.
The pits should be dug in a square shape with a depth of around 1.5 to 2 feet, depending on the soil type and drainage.
The pit should be around 3 to 4 feet in width and length.
The spacing between pits should be around 25 to 30ft, depending on the variety and growth habits of the mango trees.
The pits should be filled with a mixture of topsoil, well-decomposed organic matter, and fertilizers such as bone meal and rock phosphate.

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Plantation of Totapuri Mango Trees

Selection of healthy saplings: Healthy and disease-free saplings are critical for successful Totapuri mango farming. Choose saplings about one-year-old, with a 60-90 cm height and a 1-1.5 cm stem diameter. Look for saplings with healthy leaves, a strong stem, and a well-developed root system.

Number of plants per acre: The spacing of the plants is critical for a good yield. For grafted varieties, use the spacing of 9×9 m and plant them in a square planting system. The recommended spacing for planting is either 9 x 910m x 10m or 12m x 12m, depending on whether the planting location is in a dry zone or wet/rich soil. This results in approximately 123 plants per acre. Hexagonal planting accommodates 15% more plants.

Age of the plant when planted: Mango saplings should be planted when they are one year old. At this age, they are more tolerant to stress and will establish themselves quickly.

Support and Stacking of Plants: Young Totapuri mango plants need support to grow straight and tall. Stakes should be installed next to the plant and tied securely to the stem using a soft string. The stakes should be at least 2.5 meters high. After two years, the stakes can be removed and replaced with a T-shaped support system made of bamboo or wood. The T-shaped support should be installed 2 meters from the plant, and two branches should be pruned and trained to grow along the support. This will help the plant to grow straight and produce more fruit.

Drip Irrigation/ Water Management in Totapuri Mango

Drip irrigation supply water directly to plant roots, minimizing water loss.
Totapuri mango requires 750-1000 mm of water per year, but drip irrigation can reduce this by 30-40%.
Drip irrigation promotes healthy plant growth and higher yields, reducing water usage and labor costs.
Installing a drip irrigation system costs Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000 per acre, but it pays off in the long run with water savings and increased yields.

Compost/Fertilizers application Stages

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers are commonly used for Totapuri mango farming. Popular fertilizers are urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), muriate of potash (MOP), and superphosphate.
The plant requires more nitrogen during the vegetative phase, phosphorus during the flowering and fruiting stage, and potassium for overall growth and fruit quality.
Fertilizers should be applied in the Flowering stages with irrigation for better absorption by the plant.
Compost organic fertilizer that improves soil health and provides a balanced supply of nutrients to the plant.
Compost helps in retaining soil moisture and improving soil structure.
Recommended application rate for compost is 10-15 kg per plant per year.
Compost should be applied before the onset of the monsoon season.

Pruning Stages/Season for Totapuri Mango

Pruning is essential for maintaining the health, productivity, and shape of Totapuri mango trees. It increases fruit yield, improves fruit quality, enhances light penetration, air circulation, and reduces pest and disease infestations.
The ideal time for pruning is during the dormant season (December to February), but done during the growing season to remove water sprouts, suckers, and cross branches.
There are three main types of pruning: maintenance pruning, rejuvenation pruning, and training pruning.
The main tools required for pruning include shears, loppers, saws, and chainsaws. Using sharp and clean tools is essential to prevent damage and infections.

Flowering Stages for Totapuri Mango

Time of Flowering: Totapuri mango trees typically flower from November to March in India.
Factors affecting Flowering: Flowering can be affected by temperature, humidity, rainfall, and nutrition. Cool and dry weather can delay or reduce flowering, while high humidity can lead to fungal diseases that affect flowering.
Importance of Flowering: Proper flowering is crucial for determining fruit set and yield, which can impact the profitability of mango farmers.
Pollination Techniques: Totapuri mangoes are primarily cross-pollinated by insects, but artificial pollination techniques like hand pollination can be used if there is a lack of natural pollinators.

Pests and Diseases Management in Totapuri Mango

Common Pests and Diseases Affecting Totapuri Mango: Pests commonly affecting Totapuri mango include mango hoppers, fruit flies, mealybugs, and stem borers, while anthracnose, powdery mildew, and mango malformation disease.
Symptoms of Pests and Diseases: Symptoms of pest infestation include wilting, yellowing, distorted leaves, and fruit damage, while disease symptoms include brown spots on leaves, white powdery growth, and malformed fruit.
Preventive Measures: Preventive measures include regular pruning, planting disease-resistant cultivars, good orchard sanitation, and timely application of organic pesticides to prevent pest and disease infestations.

Pest and disease control includes chemical pesticides, such as neem oil, insecticides, and fungicides, and integrated pest management techniques that combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for effective control.

Harvesting Time and Yield of Totapuri Mango

Totapuri mangoes are harvested from April to September, and a mature tree can yield around 200 to 300 fruits per year, with an average weight of 350 to 450 grams per fruit. Proper post-harvest handling can improve the quality of the fruit, and it can be stored in a cool and dry place to increase its shelf life. The marketing of Totapuri mangoes is typically done through local markets, wholesale markets, exports, and value-added methods.

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Conclusion

Totapuri mango farming requires proper planning, planting, and care to ensure healthy growth and optimal yield. Pruning and pest/disease control are critical to maintaining tree health. Harvesting at the right maturity and proper storage and marketing can produce high-quality fruits and profits for farmers.

Totapuri Mango Farming: A Comprehensive Guide to Planting, Pruning, Care, and Harvest