In a remarkable stride towards mango conservation and cultivation, Punjab Agricultural University’s22.07.2024 M.S. Randhawa Fruit Research Station at Dasuya (Gangian) Hoshiarpur has amassed an extensive germplasm of mango cultivars. This monumental effort, in collaboration with the Department of Fruit Science at PAU, Ludhiana, aims to preserve and enhance mango varieties for future improvements while supplying elite cultivars to mango growers.
Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU, highlighted the significance of mango cultivation in Punjab, particularly within the sub-montane zones, including the Kandi areas. These regions are renowned for their desi mangoes (sucking type) and exhibit vast genetic variability in fruit physico-chemical attributes. Under the visionary leadership of the former Vice-Chancellor, Dr. M.S. Randhawa, a comprehensive survey of these mango-growing regions was conducted to harness this unrecorded genetic diversity, he added.
Explaining that mango propagation has traditionally been done through seeds, Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, PAU’s Director of Research, informed that it resulted in a diverse population of old mango seedlings across the country. These seedlings display a wide genetic diversity in fruit size, shape, color, flavour, taste, maturity, yield, bearing regularity, and resistance to maladies. Many superior mango varieties have been selected as chance seedlings arising from open cross-pollination.
Dr. Manav Indra Singh Gill, Dean of Post Graduate Studies and a fruit scientist, revealed that over 60 elite strains of desi mangoes with desirable attributes such as oblong shape, abundant juice, small stone, scanty fibers, and a red blush on the skin were collected and planted. These strains, coded GN1 to GN60, are now maintained at the Fruit Research Station, Gangian, for conservation and future breeding programs. PAU has recommended GN1 to GN7 and Gangian Sindhuri-19 based on fruit quality and yield for general cultivation in the state.
Dr. H.S. Rattanpal, Head, Department of Fruit Science, PAU, disclosed that several interesting local mango strains, such as Anda Dusehree, Laddu Amb, Gola Ghassipur, and Ber Amb, are identified by their unique fruit shapes. In Punjabi folklore, certain strains are called ‘Chhalli’ due to their oblong shape and large size resembling a small corn cob. According to Dr. Nav Prem Singh, Professor (Fruit Science), seven strains, including Anami Chhalli and Sindhuri Chusa, exhibit attractive yellow fruit with a red blush on the shoulders. Locally preferred for their thin skin, abundant juice, and soft flesh, these varieties command higher prices in the region.
The Director of M.S. Randhawa Fruit Research Station, Dr. Sumanjit Kaur, noted that the station currently maintains over 80 sucking type mango varieties (in triplet), 15 pickling, and around 55 grafted varieties for evaluation in the sub-montane region. Among these, eight sucking type varieties, prefixed with GN (Gangian), have been released for cultivation in Punjab. These include GN1 (Gurmel da Amb), GN2 (Samrali), GN3 (Kukian de Chhalli), GN4 (Bijrore di Bud), GN5 (Hariana Kanghi), GN6 (Punjab Beauty), GN7 (Mallianwali Chhalli), and Gangian Sindhuri (GN19).
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