Mangoes originate from warm climates and are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which influence their growth, flowering, and fruit production. Understanding their thermal requirements is important for successful cultivation.
Optimal Temperature for Mango Growth
Mango trees thrive in warm conditions, ideally preferring temperatures between 27°C and 33°C for growth and flowering. An optimal range for tree health and fruit production is 24°C to 27°C, where metabolic processes are most efficient. Mature trees can tolerate brief periods of extreme heat, up to 48°C, but prolonged exposure causes stress and affects fruit quality.
Blossom initiation depends on cooler temperatures, typically 15-20°C during the day and 10-15°C at night. Once initiated, the optimal temperature shifts to around 28°C during the day and 22°C at night for development. Temperatures below 10°C during flowering can cause significant damage to blossoms and developing fruits, potentially leading to crop failure. Young mango trees are vulnerable to cold, with temperatures below 0.5°C capable of causing death, though mature trees can endure brief frost damage.
How Temperature Influences Mango Development
Temperature affects various stages of mango development, including flowering, fruit set, and fruit quality. Low temperatures, below 10°C, can harm pollen, leading to poor fruit set. Pollen germination and tube growth can be inhibited below 15°C, and pollen granules may swell and lose viability below 17°C, resulting in flower deformation or reduced viable pollen.
Temperature also impacts fruit development and quality. High overnight temperatures, 28°C to 32°C, contribute to sweeter, well-ripened fruit. Conversely, hot days and cool nights, between 12°C and 20°C, enhance fruit color. When temperatures exceed 43°C, leaves may lighten and the plant becomes more susceptible to sunburn. Similarly, temperatures below 1°C can cause leaves to lighten, eventually turning brown or black, with wilting and drooping as signs of cold stress.
Safeguarding Mango Trees from Extreme Temperatures
Protecting mango trees from temperature extremes is important for their survival and productivity. During cold snaps, especially when frost is anticipated, covering the trees can provide significant protection. Placing a support structure, such as PVC pipe frames or stakes, to prevent the covering from directly touching the foliage helps avoid damage to leaves. The cover, which can be hessian or a frost cloth, should extend to the ground and be secured to trap warmth.
Additional heat sources can be used under covers for enhanced protection. Stringing incandescent Christmas lights on the tree or placing a heat lamp inside the covered area can raise the ambient temperature around the plant. For young trees, mounding mulch or soil around the trunk in a teepee shape can protect the base from freezing temperatures. Container-grown mango trees should be moved indoors to a protected space, such as a garage or a heated greenhouse, during winter to shield them from cold. Adequate watering before a freeze can also help, as moist soil retains heat better than dry soil, radiating warmth to the tree.