Region: Region I - Ilocos Region

Details:

The research is a component of the program on Enhancing the Productivity of the Philippine Mango Industry (EPPMI). The project was conducted by Dominador et al., at the Benguet Management Corporation Farm in Iba, Zambales; Menzi Farm in Mati, Davao Oriental, and Frias Mango Orchard in Basista, Pangasinan. The objectives of the project were to increase the productivity of densely-planted young fruit-bearing mango trees with overlapping canopies, and of old trees with overlapping canopies by identifying appropriate pruning techniques and/or strategies. Findings: • Overcrowding trees in the orchard results to low and poor quality yield of trees and high cost of production. • The most appropriate technique or strategy in increasing the yield of densely-planted mango trees with overlapping canopies is through thinning out. • For orchards with only partially overlapping canopies, side pruning the trees alternately increases the productivity and delays the cutting down of the trees. • For distantly spaced old trees but with overlapping canopies due to overgrowth, side pruning is also effective in increasing productivity, reduced pest infestation, and disease infection. • It is easier to convince mango growers to thin out their old mango trees with overlapping canopies. Instant cutting down of trees solicits negative reactions to owners due to the perceived opportunities foregone . Removal of out-of-place trees little by little by side pruning is more acceptable on the part of owners. • The strategy could reduced the cost of production due to lower insect pests population and diseases, thus, lesser insecticides and fungicides to be used due to lesser spray volume requirement brought about by the removal of undesirable and unproductive branches. Researchers: NS Dominador, MP Ambanloc and EN Farin