Mango Split

[jabomano]

Why the spits on my Nam Docs?

Ray

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[Cookie Monster]

Ohh boy, this is becoming an epidemic for the nam doc mai #4 :-(. If it wasn't for the splitting it would be a top notch all around choice.

[Patrick]

I had a couple split surprises at my place this morning too! And very little if any rainfall in the past weeks..

[Cookie Monster]

Has anybody asked Dr Richard Campbell how to thwart this issue?

[phantomcrab]

Previous replies from R. Campbell and J. Crane about this subject -

Crane, Jonathan H:      
Molecular cause usually lack of calcium in cell walls causes weak cell walls. Physiologically under relatively dry air (low relative humidity) or prolonged drought the mango peel may stop growing or lose capacity to expand. However, the pulp still grows/ expands and bursts the peel. So....

I suggest:
Do not apply high analysis nitrogen containing fertilizer. Use:
  1. 0-0-20 in Feb. and again May
2. 6-2-12 or similar analysis fertilizer after harvest
- low rate if no or little fruit
- moderate rate if big crop
3. Foliar micro-nutrients 2-3 times any time from April through September.
4. Soil applied iron 2 to 3 times
any time from April through September.
5. Mature trees (>7 years old) probably only need to be watered during prolonged dry conditions. So if we have no rain for more than 14 days water. 
6. If low pH soil apply powdered limestone 2-4 lbs in spring or summer - takes a while to have an effect (like 6-9 months). If high pH soil spray trees with  calcium containing foliar mix in early spring.

Richard Campbell:
This is always a problem with NDM 4 when there is not consistent moisture. We have the problem because we do not use irrigation. If you keep the moisture more uniform with irrigation it will help.

[phantomcrab]

I forgot that I asked Chris Rollins too -

Rollins, Chris B. (MDPR):
Many mangos are susceptible to spitting.   It is most commonly attributed to an irregular supply of water during the development process.  During dry spells of fruit development it is often suggested that the skin thickens and becomes more rigid.    A sudden influx of water after a dry spell causes the fruit to ripen faster than the skin can grow.  The pressure must rise to a great level to burst the fruit from the inside.  It is curious that the splits are straight vertical slits that resemble a slice from a blade.  Although mangos are drought tolerant trees it might be wise to irrigate in times of drought while the fruit is growing.  A small amount of splitting isn’t considered a major issue.

[HMHausman]

I am seeing multiple cultivar with fruit split.  Actually, my Nam Doc, which are probably not #4 have little.  The worst I noticed this morning were on seem to be Rosiegold, Kensington Pride and Angie so far. I need to do a further survey.

[HMHausman]

BTW, many of my splits are horizontal and not vertical.  I have both actually.  Lucky me.

[Squam256]

Its just NDM #4 being NDM #4

[Cookie Monster]

Whoo hoo!! Thanks for this. You know what -- I think the main reason that NDM4 suffers from this is because it tends to ripen a crop in Apr, which is smack dab in the middle of our dry period.

Dr Crane is a beast!

Previous replies from R. Campbell and J. Crane about this subject -

Crane, Jonathan H:      
Molecular cause usually lack of calcium in cell walls causes weak cell walls. Physiologically under relatively dry air (low relative humidity) or prolonged drought the mango peel may stop growing or lose capacity to expand. However, the pulp still grows/ expands and bursts the peel. So....

I suggest:
Do not apply high analysis nitrogen containing fertilizer. Use:
  1. 0-0-20 in Feb. and again May
2. 6-2-12 or similar analysis fertilizer after harvest
- low rate if no or little fruit
- moderate rate if big crop
3. Foliar micro-nutrients 2-3 times any time from April through September.
4. Soil applied iron 2 to 3 times
any time from April through September.
5. Mature trees (>7 years old) probably only need to be watered during prolonged dry conditions. So if we have no rain for more than 14 days water. 
6. If low pH soil apply powdered limestone 2-4 lbs in spring or summer - takes a while to have an effect (like 6-9 months). If high pH soil spray trees with  calcium containing foliar mix in early spring.

Richard Campbell:
This is always a problem with NDM 4 when there is not consistent moisture. We have the problem because we do not use irrigation. If you keep the moisture more uniform with irrigation it will help.

[simon_grow]

Hey Jabomano, do you irrigate your NDM trees? That looks like drip tubing or soaker hose next to your tree. I've read that NDM #4 is prone to splitting but I wonder if your case is because of lack of calcium, inconsistent watering or some other factor.
Simon

[bsbullie]

I had a couple split surprises at my place this morning too! And very little if any rainfall in the past weeks..

Patrick - we have had some decent rains in Palm Beach County over the last few weeks.

[Tropicalgrower89]

I tend to keep the soil consistently moist around my ndm#4. Lets see if that helps

[Patrick]

I had a couple split surprises at my place this morning too! And very little if any rainfall in the past weeks..

Patrick - we have had some decent rains in Palm Beach County over the last few weeks.

The day the news was on fire about the "end of the world" front that moved through it hit north and south of me and pretty much missed the airport area.  I would be Nat experienced the same effect, she is just northwest of me.  I notice that storms from the West seem to almost part when they near the airport...

[jabomano]

simon_grow

Yep, that's a soaker hose so it's for sure not from lack of water. No other of my mango's are splitting. Just the nam doc.

Ray
www.raybayer.com
www.soundcloud.com/jabomano