Calcium Carbide and Alphonso Mangoes

Every year in the mango season, it is common to see a debate on chemical ripening, calcium carbide, FDA raids, and some traders saying it is not possible to ripen mangoes otherwise. Devgad Taluka Amba Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Ltd is completely against any chemical ripening because and it ruins the quality of fruit and is hazardous to humans. We ripen all our Devgad Alphonso mangoes only naturally in grass hay and that is why we can vouch for its quality.

The issue of artificial ripening happens because of the way market is structured. Mango that comes into the market first gets sold at higher price. This brings a tendency to pull in mangoes as fast as possible, ripen them artificially and sell them off as soon as possible. So to ripen them fast, the market uses calcium carbide, that is not only a banned product; it is also hazardous to human beings as it causes cancer.

It is a point to note that calcium carbide does not ‘ripen’ mangoes. It is important for customers to understand that ripening is a biochemical reaction. When the fruit reaches maturity, it starts producing ethylene gas, along with slowly breaking down acids in the fruit, and converting starch into sugar. It is not humanly possible to accelerate this natural biochemical reaction in the fruit.

What calcium carbide does for mangoes is that it produces acetylene gas, which creates heat. Acetylene’s main application is in welding and as a fuel. When generated from calcium carbide, acetylene contains toxic impurities that affect the neurological system. When acetylene fills up the box of mangoes, it heats the fruit from outside. Mangoes start losing their green colour and turn yellow from outside.

This is the same reaction that happens when a coloured cloth is kept in the sun for some days and loses its colour.

Mangoes turn yellow, but do not ripen. Some starch near the skin of mangoes is broken into sugar and then mangoes take a uniform yellow colour. For the customer, the mango looks yellow, he/she thinks it is ripe and buys it at whatever cost. However, the taste is not what the customer expecting for the price she paid. Such mangoes taste pathetic.

Because of the unique taste of Devgad Alphonso, almost all mangoes that look like Alphonso are sold in the market as Devgad. People have known the name of Devgad as producing Alphonso mangoes of top quality. But when they eat such artificially ripened mangoes that are sold to them as Devgad, and they taste pathetic, our name takes a beating.

Another point to note, none of our farmers use calcium carbide or for that matter any chemical to ripen mangoes.

Mango Tree Diseases

The mango tree is a tropical tree, and it requires a fairly hot climate to grow healthily. It also does not require that much water other than the initial few weeks of its growth.

A mango tree is a fairly easy tree to handle provided the weather is ideal. Like any other tropical tree, the mango tree is susceptible to all the tropical diseases. Also, it can get afflicted with diseases at any stage of its growth. The twigs, leaves, fruits and trunk can get affected by diseases.Powdery mildew is one of the common diseases to afflict a mango tree. If one tree gets it, then all the others also get affected. It can damage one whole crop in the growing season. This is a big problem in some parts of India. You will find a white color fungal growth on the leaves and twigs of the tree. The only cure is to spray pesticides and fertilizers.

There are several fungi and pathogens that cause various diseases in the tree. Root rot can occur if there have been excessive rains or over watering. Die back is another popular mango tree disease which just kills the tree when it strikes.

Anthracnose is also a widespread condition and causes the young shoots to get damaged. It can also damage the flowers and fruits.

Sometimes, young fruits are seen developing black spots all over them. This is also a fungal disease, and eventually it may damage all the fruits growing on the tree. However, this is common to some specific species of the tree.

Mango Plant Care

Mangoes can be equated to the apple for tropical areas. It is a unique fruit that grows only in the tropical weather conditions. A mango tree can typically take any amount of heat, but it is extremely sensitive to the cold.

There are several varieties of fruits that come from various mango trees.In India, these trees are even grown as hybrid where the trees have a short life cycle. They grow fast, give fruits fast and also die sooner than normal. If you have a mango plant, then you need to provide it with basic care. Make sure the plant is kept at a sunny spot, and the soil should be well drained in the initial years at least.

Mango trees require a moist soil to survive. So, you need to make sure the soil conditions are just right and avoid over watering the plant. When you plant a mango tree newly, make sure you water it everyday once in the evening. Water it thoroughly. Once the tree turns six weeks old or more, decrease the frequency of watering the plant. In winters, if there are rains or if it has rained well, then do not water the tree at all. The mango tree does not need all that much water and has good absorption skills. If you water it more than necessary, the tree may develop root rot.

If you are expecting frost or snow, then put a canopy above the tree to protect it. Also, if you expect the temperature to fall below 36 degrees, then suspend a light above the tree to provide artificial heat.

How To Grow A Mango Plant

There are several species of mango trees, and variations in the fruit. In order to grow a tree, choose the species you would like to grow. A mango tree needs an ideal climate to grow.

It is a tropical fruit, and needs a lot of sun to grow and bear fruit. Also, a mango tree can grow to be very large eventually. The tree starts bearing fruit only after it reaches at least four feet in height, and this can take around 18 months or more.There are two ways in which you can get started. One is to attempt to start growing the plant right from the seed, and the second way is to get a grafted plant from a nursery. As a beginner, you should get a plant from the nursery. It is possible to get even young plants. There are several hybrid varieties too that is available.

Choose the sunniest spot in your garden and dig a 12-inch deep hole. If the plant is slightly bigger, then dig a slightly deeper hole. Also, prepare the soil with fertilizers and plant feed before planting the tree. Plant the tree deep and then pack the soil. However, make sure that the soil is loosely packed to enhance water absorption.

In the initial days, you have to water the plant thoroughly and after a few days water it regularly. Never over water a mango plant. Make a big circular pond around the tree so that it can hold water. Just about half an inch deep is fine. Once the tree grows, it will not need that much care as it can take care of itself.