Glossary

Glossary Definitions for Mango.org

 

 

  1. **Mango**: Mango, scientifically known as Mangifera indica, is a tropical fruit celebrated for its sweet, juicy taste and high nutritional value. Native to South Asia, mangoes are rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and contain antioxidants. They’re cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Mango trees are also long-lived, capable of fruiting for hundreds of years. [^1^]

 

  1. **Cultivar**: A cultivar, short for ‘cultivated variety,’ refers to a plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding. Each cultivar possesses distinct characteristics, such as size, color, flavor, growth habit, or other desirable traits that distinguish it from other plants of the same species. In the context of mangoes, popular cultivars include ‘Ataulfo,’ ‘Tommy Atkins,’ ‘Haden,’ ‘Francis,’ ‘Kent,’ and ‘Keitt,’ each with unique flavor profiles and growing seasons. [^2^]

 

  1. **Ataulfo**: The Ataulfo mango, also known as the “honey” or “champagne” mango, is a popular cultivar appreciated for its small size, sweet flavor, and buttery, non-fibrous texture. It’s distinguished by its small, flattened oval shape, vibrant yellow color when ripe, and small, thin pit. Native to Mexico, Ataulfo mangoes are usually available between March and July and are ideal for both culinary and fresh eating purposes. [^1^]

 

  1. **Tommy Atkins**: The Tommy Atkins mango is the most widely grown commercial variety of mango worldwide. It is favored for its longer shelf life, resistance to diseases, and hardy nature, which makes it suitable for shipping. The fruit is medium to large with a thick skin, and the flesh, while slightly fibrous, has a mildly sweet flavor. The Tommy Atkins mangoes display a vibrant color palette of red, orange, and yellow when ripe. [^1^]

 

  1. **Haden**: The Haden mango is an early-season cultivar known for its rich flavor and firm, juicy flesh. It is medium to large in size and has a brilliant, red-orange-yellow skin when ripe. Originally from Florida, the Haden mango has a small to medium-sized seed. It is one of the parent varieties to many other loved mango cultivars and continues to be a favorite choice for eating fresh or incorporating into recipes. [^1^]

 

  1. **Francis**: The Francis mango is a unique cultivar often found in Haiti. It stands out with its flattened, kidney-shaped form and bright green skin that develops a warm yellow-orange blush when ripe. The flesh is deliciously spicy and sweet and less fibrous than many other varieties. Francis mangoes typically come into season in late spring and are savored both in culinary applications and fresh consumption. [^1^]

 

  1. **Kent**: The Kent mango is a late-season variety recognized for its exceptionally sweet taste and absence of fibrous texture. Originating in Florida, this mango is large, juicy, and has a dark red blush over a green-yellow background when ripe. The Kent mango, with its superior flavor and minimal fiber, is ideal for juicing, making smoothies, or simply eating fresh. [^1^]

 

  1. **Keitt**: The Keitt mango is a late-season variety native to Florida. Unlike most other varieties, Keitt mangoes stay green even when ripe. They are large in size and mildly sweet with a hint of tartness. The flesh is fiber-free, offering a smooth eating experience. Keitt mangoes are often used in recipes calling for a firmer, tangier fruit, and are usually available from July through September. [^1^]

 

  1. **Polyembryonic**: The term ‘polyembryonic’ refers to a type of seed that produces multiple seedlings. This phenomenon is common in some mango cultivars. Polyembryonic seeds have multiple embryos, with one being a clone of the mother plant, while the others result from fertilization. These seeds can give rise to more than one shoot, often ensuring higher germination success and offering an advantage in natural and commercial propagation. [^3^]

 

  1. **Monocot**: Monocots, or monocotyledons, are a type of flowering plant that produces a single seed leaf or cotyledon upon germination. Examples of monocots include grasses, lilies, and orchids. Unlike mangoes, which are dicots (produce two seed leaves), monocots often have parallel veins in their leaves, flowers parts in multiples of three, and fibrous root systems. Understanding the difference between monocots and dicots is essential in the study of plant biology. [^4^]

 

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[^1^]: National Mango Board

[^2^]: Missouri Botanical Garden

[^3^]: University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources

[^4^]: Encyclopaedia Britannica

 

  1. **Dicot**: Dicots, or dicotyledons, are a group of flowering plants that produce two seed leaves or cotyledons upon germination. Mangoes belong to this group. Dicots typically have a well-defined taproot system, leaves with a network of veins, and flower parts in multiples of four or five. These are some of the key features that differentiate dicots from monocots in the plant kingdom. [^4^]

 

  1. **Stone Fruit**: A stone fruit, also known as a drupe, is a category of fruit characterized by an outer fleshy part surrounding a shell (the pit or stone) that contains a seed. Mangoes, along with cherries, peaches, and plums, are examples of stone fruits. These fruits typically have a sweet or tart flavor and are known for their high nutritional content. Understanding this classification can help in the culinary uses and processing of these fruits. [^5^]

 

  1. **Drupe**: A drupe is a specific type of fruit in which an outer fleshy part, or mesocarp, surrounds a single shell, the endocarp, that contains a seed. The endocarp is often hard or stony, hence the name stone fruit for drupes. Mangoes are a type of drupe, with the fleshy part being the delicious, edible portion, and the hard stone inside holding the seed. [^5^]

 

  1. **Pistil**: The pistil is the female reproductive organ of a flower. It’s composed of the ovary, style, and stigma. The ovary, at the base, contains the potential seeds (ovules). The style is a slender column that connects the ovary to the stigma, which is sticky to trap pollen. In mango trees, the pistil develops into the fruit after pollination and fertilization. Understanding the pistil’s structure is crucial for comprehending plant reproduction. [^4^]

 

  1. **Stamen**: The stamen is the male reproductive organ of a flower and is responsible for producing pollen. Each stamen consists of an anther, where pollen is produced, and a filament, which supports the anther. Mango flowers contain multiple stamens but only one functional pistil. Understanding the function of stamens is important in the study of plant reproduction and the development of fruit. [^4^]

 

  1. **Evergreen**: Evergreen plants are those that retain their leaves throughout the year. Mango trees, being evergreen, maintain their lush green foliage all year round, shedding old leaves while growing new ones. This makes mango trees not just a source of delicious fruit but also an aesthetically pleasing addition to landscapes. It’s also beneficial in agriculture, as these trees provide a continuous cover that helps protect the soil. [^6^]

 

  1. **Tropical Fruit**: Tropical fruits are those that grow in tropical climates, characterized by warm temperatures year-round and abundant rainfall. Mangoes, native to South Asia, are a quintessential tropical fruit. They require a frost-free climate, plenty of sunlight, and well-drained soil for optimal growth. Understanding the growth requirements of tropical fruits can guide their cultivation and contribute to their successful production. [^7^]

 

  1. **Ripening**: Ripening is the process during which fruits undergo physiological and biochemical changes, leading to their optimal taste, color, aroma, and texture. In mangoes, ripening involves the conversion of starches to sugars, making the fruit sweeter. Changes in fruit color also occur due to the breakdown of chlorophyll and the development of pigments like carotenoids and anthocyanins. Ripening is a key postharvest consideration in ensuring mangoes reach consumers in peak condition. [^8^]

 

  1. **Anthracnose**: Anthracnose is a fungal disease that affects many plants, including mango trees. It’s caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and results in dark, sunken spots on the fruit, leaves, and stems. It can lead to significant crop loss if not managed effectively. Prevention and control methods include fungicides, proper sanitation, and ensuring good air circulation around the trees. [^9^]

 

  1. **Powdery Mildew**: Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that appears as a white powdery substance on the leaves, stems, and fruit of mango trees. It’s caused by the fungus Oidium mangiferae and can hinder the growth and fruiting of the tree if not treated. Control measures include applying appropriate fungicides, maintaining optimal tree health, and using resistant varieties. [^9^]

 

  1. **Grafting**: Grafting is a horticultural technique used to propagate plants, including mango trees, by joining a scion (a shoot or twig) from one plant to the root system of another (the rootstock). Grafted mango trees often bear fruit sooner and are more uniform and predictable in their growth and production compared to trees grown from seed. Grafting can also be used to repair damaged trees or change the variety of an established tree. [^10^]

 

  1. **Scion**: In grafting, the scion is the upper part of the plant that is attached to the rootstock. The scion is chosen for its flowers, fruit, or foliage, and it determines the characteristics of the resulting plant. For example, in mango grafting, a scion from a desired mango cultivar is grafted onto a suitable rootstock, leading to a new tree that produces the same type of mangoes as the parent cultivar. [^10^]

 

  1. **Rootstock**: The rootstock, in grafting, is the lower part of the plant that forms the root system. It is chosen for its growth characteristics and compatibility with the scion. Rootstocks can confer advantages like disease resistance, tolerance to soil conditions, and control over tree size. In mango cultivation, rootstocks are typically selected based on their vigor, tolerance to soil-borne diseases, and adaptability to specific soil and climatic conditions. [^10^]

 

  1. **Transplanting**: Transplanting refers to the process of moving a plant from one location to another. This is often done in mango cultivation, where young trees are transplanted from a nursery into the field. Care must be taken during transplantation to minimize root disturbance, as this can affect the plant’s ability to establish in the new location. Proper planting depth and subsequent watering are critical to ensure successful transplantation. [^11^]

 

  1. **Pruning**: Pruning is the process of removing select branches from a tree for various purposes such as to improve tree structure, enhance fruit production and quality, or manage tree size for easier harvesting. In mango cultivation, pruning is typically done after harvest and can involve thinning out branches, removing dead or diseased wood, and shortening branches to encourage lateral growth. Proper pruning practices can greatly influence the productivity and longevity of a mango tree. [^11^]

 

[^4^]: Encyclopaedia Britannica

[^5^]: University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources

[^6^]: University of Florida, IFAS Extension

[^7^]: Purdue University, Center for New Crops & Plant Products

[^8^]: Postharvest Technology Center, University

 

of California, Davis

[^9^]: University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

[^10^]: University of Florida, IFAS Extension

[^11^]: University of California, Agriculture and Natu

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