Agriculture Magazine, June 2002

Some Observations on the Performance of Nam Dok Mai Mango

by Dr. Pablito P. Pamplona

Thailand grows more than 500,00 hectares of mangoes which is three times when compared this crop in the Philippines. While the Philippines grows largely two varieties namely Pico and (Carabao) Manila super mango. Thailand grows many varieties. These include Nam Dok Mai (NDM), Chokanan, Nico, Savoey, Okrong, Nang Mangwan, Thong Dam, Falan.

Thais prefer these varieties over the Carabao mango which is also available in that country for many reasons. These include being responsive to high density planting, short maturity period, easily induced to flower. Etc. The most commonly grown varieties are planted at close distances of 2 x 5 m, 3 x 6 m, or 4 x 6 m or for a population of over 500 plants /ha.

Some years back, Dr. Simon V. Valmayor, after his return from Thailand, gave the author a plant of NDM which was multiplied and planted side by side with Chokanan, and Carabao mango at Grace Fruit Orchards in Kabacan, Cotabato. Here are some observations which may be useful to mango growers. These observations compare the features of the NDM to that of carabao mango.

1. Short immaturity period. The trees of NDM bear commercial quantity of fruits as early as two years from planting unlike the carabao mango which bears fruits in 4-5 years after planting. A two-year old tree that is less than 10 ft. tall produces 40-60 fruits of 300-400g each per cropping. A 4-5 year old tree bears 200-300 fruits. NDM also bears fruits every year, sometimes twice a year. This differs from carabao mango which exhibits bienniality of bearing fruit. 2. Responsive to potassium nitrate. NDM with mature to semi-mature leaves readily produces long panicle of flowers when sprayed with potassium nitrate. This differs from the carabao mango which becomes responsive to this flower inducer only when the leaves are fully mature. We found that it is easier to induce NDM to flower than the carabao mango with potassium nitrate. 3. Less affected by anthracnose. The tree produces fruits even during rainy days when the carabao mango fails to fruit due to the damage of anthracnose. In situations of lower amount of rainfall, two fungicide sprays were found to produce clearskin NDM fruits unlike the carabao mango which requires five or more sprayings. NDM can be produced at a much lower cost than the carabao mango as it requires less fungicides. 4. Produces bigger and longer fruits. Mature fruits of NDM are generally longer and bigger at 350 - 480 g per fruit compared to carabao mango of 250-400 g per fruit.

5. Responsive to pruning. Severely pruned NDM trees readily produce many vegetative shoots which at 4-6 months after pruning are already responsive to flower inducer. Hence, it can be planted at high density as the size of the tree can be maintained small and low by regular and judicious pruning. This differs from the carabao mango wherein severe pruning would reverse the tree to vegetative stage and would not flower for at least 2 years

6. Green Fruits are highly acceptable. The immature fruits of NDM of about a month prior to ripen.