Agro-climatic adaptation and performance of thai mango varieties (‘Nam Dok Mai’ and ‘Khieo Sawoei’) under coastal Gujarat (Saurashtra region) conditions

Abstract:

The present study evaluates the agro-climatic adaptation, growth behaviour, yield attributes, and fruit quality of two Thai mango (Mangifera indica L.) varieties, ‘Nam Dok Mai’ and ‘Khieo Sawoei’, under coastal conditions of Gujarat (Saurashtra region), India. Planting was established in June 2021 following nursery acclimatization and managed using standardized organic-based practices. Observations recorded at the early bearing stage (after 5 years) were both cultivars showed successful planting with a uniformly vegetative growth habit; their average plant height was found to be ~3.1 m, and the canopy size was ~2.6 m. The average number of fruits per plant was found to be 54.4 to 55.4, and their yield averaged 19.7 to 20.5 kg per plant. Regarding the fruit quality criteria, fruits from both cultivars had exportable quality features; their average weight ranged from 357 to 366.8 g, while the Total Soluble Solids (TSS) content ranged from 17.4 to 19.32 °Brix. 'Nam Dok Mai' variety had relatively high TSS content, reflecting its better sweetness than that of other varieties. The findings highlight the potential of these varieties for diversification and commercial cultivation under coastal agro-ecosystems of Saurashtra region of Gujarat.