Healthy Flowers, Healthy Profits: Managing Pests And Diseases In Mango Flowers

Mango is one of the most important commercial fruit crops of India and is widely known as the ‘King of Fruits. Mangoes are mainly grown in tropical and subtropical areas in India. It grows best at a temperature of about 27°C. Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer of Mango with a 23.58 % share in total production and high productivity. India is a leading exporter of fresh mangoes to the world. Around 27,872.78 MT of fresh mangoes are exported to the world for the worth of Rs. 327.45 crores or 44.05 USD Millions in the year 2021-22. Major Exporting Countries are the United Arab Emirates, the UK, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman.  

Botanical Name of Mango: Mangifera indica  

Mango Flowers:

Mango flowers are hermaphrodite, monoecious, and are borne from inflorescence. Among all the flowers, only a few develop into fruits. Although mango flowers are hermaphrodites, cross-pollination contributes to the maximum fruit set. They are mostly pollinated by birds and insects such as bees, beetles, ants, wasps, and flies. Mango flowers bloom from December and can extend up to March. However, fruit development starts from January to May depending upon the time of flower initiation.  

Flower Initiation:

• Favorable conditions – Flowering is mainly influenced by climatic conditions, especially temperature, rainfall, and high humidity. Rainfall during the pre-flowering and flowering stages can lead to delayed flowering and cloudy weather during the flowering stage leads to heavy flower drop.
• Pruning – Pruning affects flowering and yield. Pruning during the middle of December (Pre-flowering stage) will result in floral flush.
• Plant Growth regulators – Ethephon, Paclobutrazol, Alpha Naphthyl acetic acid are used to either induce flowering or enhance fruit set.

Major Pests affecting Mango Flowers:

1. Mango Hoppers:

Scientific name: Idioscopus niveoparsus, I.nitidulus, Amritodus atkinsoni 

Damage causing insect stage: Nymphs and Adults 

Symptoms:  

• Withering and shedding of florets

• Affected flower stalks become sticky due to honeydew secretion which causes sooty mould development

Favorable conditions for Mango hoppers infestation in Mango flowers:   

Shade and high humidity due to close planting favor its multiplication.  

Management of Mango hoppers:  

Application – First spray during panicle emergence stage, second spray after 15 days of first spray, and later depending on pest intensity 

 

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per acre or per lit water)
Biological Management
Eco neem plus	Azadiractin 10000 PPM	325-450 ml
Anand Dr. Bacto’s Meta (Bio insecticide)	Metarhizium anisopliae	Foliar spray: 2 ml/lit Soil application: 2 lit
Chemical Management
Actara Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 25 % WG	0.5 gm/lit
Alika Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda-cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC	0.3 ml/lit
Keefun insecticide	Tolfenpyrad 15% EC	2 ml/lit
Tatamida SL Insecticide	Imidacloprid 17.8% SL	1-2 ml/lit
Plant growth boosters
Vanproz Immune Mango Special	Micronutrients with amino acid, growth-supporting co-factors, and biostimulant	Foliar – 2-3 ml/lit Soil Drenching- 5 ml/lit
Multiplex Chamak Micronutrient	Micronutrients (Calcium & Boron)	Foliar – 3.0 gm/lit

2. Flower gall midge / Inflorescence midge

Scientific name: Procystiphora mangiferae, Erosomyia indica, Dasineura amaramanjarae 

Damage causing insect stage: Maggots 

Symptoms: 

• Maggots penetrate into the flower bud by making holes and feeding on the inner content

• The affected inflorescence is stunted and malformed
• Affected flower buds fail to open and fall down

Favorable conditions for Inflorescence midge infestation in Mango flower: 

Strong winds, infected plant materials, early blooming, and maggots hibernating in the soil favor pest multiplication. 

Management of Inflorescence midge / Flower gall midge: 

Application – Three to five sprays at 15-30 days intervals depending on pest intensity 

 

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per acre or per lit water)
Biological Management
Neem 1500 PPM Biopesticide	Azadiractin 1500 PPM (0.15%) EC	2-2.5 ml/liter
T.Stanes Nimbecidine	Azardiractin 300 PPM (EC formulation)	10 ml/liter
Chemical Management
Anant Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 25 % WG	0.3 – 0.5 gm/lit
Tafgor Insecticide	Dimethoate 30% EC	1.5 – 2.5 ml/lit
Reeva 5 Insecticide	Lambda Cyhalothrin 5 % EC	2 ml/liter
Police insecticide	Fipronil 40% + Imidacloprid 40% WG	0.2 -0.6gm/lit
Plant growth boosters
Ethrel	Ethephon 39 SL (39% w/w)	1- 2.5 ml/lit or 200-500 ml/acre
Allbor-Boron 20%	20% Boron in water-soluble form.	Drip: 500 gm Foliar: 1 gm/lit

3. Mealy bug

Scientific name: Drosicha mangiferae 

Damage causing insect stage: Nymph and Adult 

Symptoms: 

• Pinkish nymph and adult mealy bug present on mango inflorescence

• Nymphs suck the juice from flower pedicels and cause drying of inflorescence

Favorable conditions for Mealy bug infestation in Mango flower: 

Alternate weed host like Clerodendrum inflortunatum, warm humid climate, and rainfall favors pest attack.  

Management of Mealy bug: 

Application – Spray during pre-bloom stage at15-30 days interval depending on pest intensity 

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per acre or per liter water)
Biological Management
Greenpeace Neemol (10000PPM) Bio neem oil	Neem Oil extracts (Azardiractin)	Foliar Spray: 1 – 2 ml/lit
Sun Bio Vetri	Verticilium lecanii	5 ml/lit
Anand Dr Bacto’s Brave (Bio Insecticide)	Beauveria bassiana	Foliar spray – 2.5 ml/lit
Chemical Management
Alika Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda-cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC	0.5 ml/lit
Predator Insecticide	Chlorpyriphos 50 % EC	2 ml/lit
Tafgor insecticide	Dimethoate 30% EC	1.5 – 2.5 ml/l
Sivanto Bayer Insecticide	Flupyradifurone	2 ml/lit
Plant growth boosters
Multiplex Chamak Micronutrient	Calcium and Boron	0.3 gm/lit
Ecohume – Bioactive humic substances 6%	Humic acid 6% and Fulvic acid	Foliar spray: 405 – 485 ml

 

4. Flower webber

Scientific name: Eublemma versicolor 

Damage causing insect stage: Larva 

Symptoms: 

• Affected flowers are webbed together by the larva
• Larva penetrates into the inflorescence stalk by making holes

Favourable conditions for Flower webber infestation in Mango flower:  

Shade due to close planting, high temperature and humidity favours flower webber infestation. 

Management of Flower webber: 

Application – Three to five sprays at 15-30 days interval depending on pest intensity 

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per acre or per lit water)
Biological Management
Anshul Bio Finish (Bio Pesticide)	Plant Extracts	Foliar Spray: 3 – 5 ml/lit
Chemical Management
Katyayani Chakrawarti	Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda cyhalothrin 9.5 % ZC	0.4 ml/litre
Ekalux Insecticide	Quinalphos 25 % EC	2 ml/litre
Police insecticide	Fipronil 40% + Imidacloprid 40% WG	0.2 -0.6 gm/lit
Karate insecticide	Lambdacyhalothrin 5% EC	1.5 – 1.65 ml/lit
Plant growth boosters
Cultar	Paclobutrazol	For trees < 10 years age: 8 ml/tree dissolved in water For trees > 10 years age: 16 ml/tree dissolved in water   (In both cases, apply to the root zone)

 

Major Diseases affecting Mango Flowers:

1. Mango Powdery mildew

Causal organism: Oidium mangiferae

Symptoms:  

• White superficial powdery fungal growth is seen on flowers
• Leads to pre-mature dropping of affected flowers

Favourable conditions for Powdery mildew incidence in Mango: 

Rainfall or mist along with cooler nights during flowering stage are favourable for disease spread. 

Management of Powdery mildew in Mango flower:  

Application – Spray fungicides at 14 – 20 days interval during flowering stage and later depending upon disease infection 

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per acre or per lit water)
Biological management
Anand Dr. Bacto’s Fluro	Pseudomonas fluorescence	Foliar: 2.5 ml/lit
Geolife Recover Nutri	Natural extracts & antioxidants	Foliar: 0.5 – 1 gm/lit
Chemical Management
Karathane Gold	Meptyldinocap 35.7% EC	0.7 ml/lit
Contaf Plus	Hexaconazole 5 % SC	2 ml/ lit
Saaf fungicide	Mancozeb 63% + Carbendazim 12% WP	1.5 g/ lit
Merivon fungicide	Fluxapyroxad 250 G/L + Pyraclostrobin 250 G/L SC	0.4 ml/lit
Plant growth boosters
Multiplex Sulphur Liquid fertilizer	Sulphur 20%	2.5 ml/l
Amibion Flower Booster	Amino Acids & Peptides Mixture	1 – 2 ml/lit

(Note:Multiplex Sulphur Liquid fertilizer are not compatible with all pesticides and fungicides) 

2. Mango malformation

Causal organism: Fusarium moliliforme var. subglutinans 

Symptoms:  

• Affected floral buds are transformed into vegetative buds with large number of small leaves

• It gives an appearance of ‘witches broom’
• Affected flower buds do not open and remain dull green

Favourable conditions for mango malformation incidence in Mango flower: 

Presence of infected plant material, mango bud mite infestation, moist weather conditions favours development of this disease.  

Management of mango malformation in mango flower: 

Application – Depending upon disease seriousness and mite infestation, spray with 15 – 18 days interval from pre-blossom stage 

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per acre)
Biological management
Sun Bio Bacil Fungicide	Bacillus subtilis	Foliar: 5 ml/lit
Multiplex Nisarga	Trichoderma viride	Foliar: 1ml/lit or 3 g/lit
Chemical Management
Avtar Fungicide	Zineb 68% + Hexaconazole 4%	2-2.5 gm/liter
Indofil M-45 fungicide	Mancozeb 75% WP	600-800gm/acre
Benmain Fungicide	Carbendazim 50% DF	2 gm/lit
Oberon Insecticide (To control mites)	Spiromesifen 240 SC (22.9 % w/w)	0.3 ml/liter
Plant growth boosters
Katyayani Alpha Naphthyl Acetic Acid	Katyayani NAA – Alpha Naphthyl Acetic Acid 4.5% SL	0.3 ml/lit
Greenpeace Gulf Micronutrient	Sulfur 80%	1 – 1.5 ml/lit
Planofix Plant Growth regulator	Alpha Naphthyl Acetic Acid 4.5 SL (4.5% w/w)	0.4ml/liter water (10 ppm) 0.8ml/liter water (100 ppm)

 

3. Anthracnose

Causal organism: Collectotrichum gloeosporioides  

Symptoms: 

• Causes ‘blossom blight’ in mango

• Black minute spots appear on the floral parts
• Infected floral parts shed off leading to partial or complete de-blossoming

Favourable conditions for Anthracnose incidence in mango flower: 

High humidity (95-97%), temperature of 25°C and frequent rainfall favours development of anthracnose disease.  

Management of Anthracnose in mango flower: 

Application – Spray at 15 days interval during flowering to control blossom infection. 

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per acre or per lit water)
Biological management
Amruth Almonas Liquid (Bio fungicide)	Pseudomonas fluorescence	2 – 5 ml/lit
Sun Bio Monus	Pseudomonas fluorescence	Foliar: 5 ml/lit
Chemical management
Cuprina Fungicide	Copper Oxychloride 50% WG	1 gm/lit water
Turf fungicide	Carbendazim 12 % + Mancozeb 63 % WP	1.5-2.5 gm/lit water
Companion fungicide	Mancozeb 63% + Carbendazim 12% WP	1.5 gm/lit
Sixer fungicide	Mancozeb 63% WP	2 gm/lit
Plant growth boosters
Anshul Phalmax	Bio-organics and traces of micronutrients	2ml/lit
Multiplex Kranti Micronutrient fertilizer	Major, Secondary and Micronutrients	2 to 2.5 ml/lit
Wetting agent
Anshul Stickmax (Used along with Multiplex Kranti micronutrient fertilizer)	Contains Spreading, wetting and sticking agent	1 ml/lit

(NOTE: Though Plant growth enhancers are compatible with most pesticides and fungicides, it is suggested for individual application to have good result) 

Important: 

• Pest and disease should be controlled in Mango during Flower Emergence to Full Bloom stage by using pesticides and fungicides
• If not controlled at this stage, it will wipe off all the flowers and fruits in the tree
• Foliar fertilizer and growth enhancer/growth boosters can also be used in every 7 – 10 days

• Pesticides and fungicides should not be sprayed during Full Bloom stage since pollination by insects will get affected at this time.

Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.