MangoesPosted 10 years ago under Uncategorized

Mangoes are a tropical treat enjoyed in fresh, frozen, or dried form around the world. They provide a lot of nutrition and benefits. The polyphenols and flavonoids in mangoes may help prevent cancers as they fight free radical cells in the body. The 35% RDA of vitamin A provided in one serving of mango can help with eye and skin function and the high potassium levels help regulate blood pressure. In addition, other nutrients in mangoes help with brain health and heart health. (1)

Taxonomy

Mangoes grow on the Mangifera indica tree.

Description

Mangoes grow on a type of evergreen tree that can reach up to 60 feet in height in its natural habitat. Outside of its native habitat, it rarely grows past 30 feet in height. The leaves are bright green and grow up to 12 inches long. The flowers are generally very small and yellow or red in color, growing in clusters of several hundred to several thousand flowers. The mango fruit is a drupe that can range in size, depending on the cultivar, from slightly larger than an almond to 6 inches long and up to two pounds. They start out green and slowly turn red as they ripen. The inside flesh is a yellow-orange color, juicy, sweet, and fibrous. (2)

Distribution

While the mango is native to southern Asia, especially India and Burma, it is now grown around the world in subtropical and tropical environments. (3) They do not tolerate frost but can tolerate cool, dry winters. They thrive in light, well-drained soils and even do well in soil that is not fertile. (4)

Nutritional Information

Mangoes are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antixodants. They are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, B vitamins, potassium, and copper. (5) They are also rich in enzymes which help your body digest other foods. (6)

Commercial Cultivation

Mango trees can be grown from seed but take much longer to produce fruit that way. Typically, they are grown from grafting or seedlings. If grown from seedlings, they take five to eight years to produce fruit but if grown from graftings, they take three to four years to produce fruit. The best time to plant a mango tree seedling, or to even plant from seed, is at the beginning of summer which is the wet season. These trees are able to self-pollinate and harvest is usually done in late spring or early summer. (7)

Diseases, Pests, Predators

Mango trees are susceptible to diseases and pests that affect tropical plants. This includes fungal infections such as anthracnose and common pests such as fruit spotting bugs and borers. Also, animals are attracted to the fruit as a food source so care must be taken to protect the trees or to harvest before all of the mangoes are eaten by wild pests. (8)

Sources:

(1) http://www.naturalnews.com/045555_mangos_healthy_fruits_disease_prevention.html
(2) http://www.botanical-online.com/english/mangoes.html
(3) http://www.botanical-online.com/english/mangoes.html
(4) http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-mangoes.html
(5) http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/mango-fruit.html
(6) http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/enzymes-and-health/
(7) http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-mangoes.html
(8) http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-mangoes.html