Today we are going to talk about the National fruit of India. Mango is the national fruit of India. This fruit is very useful for pickling. The mango is known as the most important and widely cultivated fruit in the tropical world. Mango trees are planted in large numbers by the people of Junagadh, Somnath and Amreli i.e. Gir area of Gujarat state. So let us gather some more information about the National fruit of India.
A succulent fruit called mango is a rich source of vitamins A, C and D. There are more than 100 varieties of mangoes in India in different sizes, shapes and colors. Mango has been cultivated in India since time immemorial. According to history, Mughal Emperor Akbar planted 100,000 mangoes in Darbhanga, Bihar and the place is now known as Lakhi Bagh.
People affectionately call Carrie the King of Fruits. The sweet aroma and fun flavors of this fruit have won the hearts of many people around the world. As the national fruit of India, mango represents prosperity, abundance and prosperity in favor of the country's image. In India, this fruit is cultivated in almost all parts except hilly areas. The famous Indian poet Kalidasa praises this fruit in one of his poems.
The fruit Mangifera indicator is native to Asia, especially India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Buddhist monks are believed to have lived in the fourth century B.C. Carrie was introduced in around Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and China. Kerry has since been introduced by the Persians to East Africa and by the Portuguese to West Africa and Brazil.
Information about History of Mango fruit
The joys of this fruit and its divine taste have been known to Indians since childhood. According to fossil evidence, this fruit was first seen in India 25-30 million years ago. The great importance of mango is mentioned in Vedic scriptures like Puranas, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Rasala and Sahakara. The significance of this fruit in Buddhism was drawn by the fact that Lord Buddha chose to rest under the shade of a mango tree and Buddhist monks carried mango trees everywhere with them. Foreign tourists like Hsiun-Tsang and Megasthenes highly appreciated the succulence of mango fruit and mentioned that these fruit trees were planted by the Indian rulers as a symbol of prosperity.
Information about Cultivation of Mango
India leads the world in mango production with half the total production. In Europe, the fruit is grown in Andalusia, Spain. In the USA, the fruit is grown in California and South Florida. The Caribbean islands also have significant mango cultivation. The state of Andhra Pradesh is at the forefront of mango cultivation and production in India.
Mango is usually cultivated up to 1400 m above sea level. Rain, moisture and frost during flowering of this fruit adversely affect its productivity. Wet monsoons and dry summers are ideal for planting this fruit. Mango prefers slightly acidic soils with a pH of 5.5-7.5. Mango trees can grow well in well-drained lattice and alluvial soils that are at least 15.24 cm deep.
The vegetative method of this fruit is preferred by the farmers and the techniques of making ink, wiener grafting and epicotyl grafting are employed. Well-nourished mango plants start bearing fruit after 5 years of planting. Mangoes grow depending on the type of cultivar. Fruits are harvested from February to early August for most mango plantations. The shelf life of these fruits is short but the contribution of mangoes from about 2-3 weeks is stored at a low temperature of 12-13 degrees.
About 1500 varieties of mango trees are cultivated in India out of which 1000 are of commercial value. Of these, Himsagar, Bombai, Himsagar and Kesar are the most famous and well known from the early season and Banganapalli, Alphonso and Langra from the middle season and Fazli, Neelam and Chosa late season.
Information about Leaves, Mano Tree & Fruit
These fruit trees are medium to large in size between 10-40 meters in height. The mango tree is an evergreen with a large symmetrical rounded canopy with an average diameter of 10 m and its bark is dark brown in color. The leaves of mango are 15-45 cm in length and the upper surface is dark green with a layer of wax while the lower side is pale green. The mango leaves are arranged very closely together and appear to cluster in groups of 5 or more.
Terminal panicles produce flowers from this fruit tree and are about 20 cm in length. The flowers of mango are white in color and have small petals 5-10 mm long and with a sweet smell. The raw fruits of mango are usually green in color but the ripe fruits vary in color from green to yellow, orange to red. The length of the mango varies from 25-40 cm. Each mango fruit carries a pinch of pit that is oval in shape and is usually blended into the meat by fibrous protrusions. And the pit plant carries the embryo that is simulated in nature.
Information about Economic Value of Mango fruit
This fruit is known as the most cultivated fruit in India. The wood from this fruit tree is used to make low cost furniture and also for packing cases etc. Tannin from mango peel is used in the leather industry. India is the leading producer of this fruit and most of the mangoes are consumed by the country's population and only small percentages are exported.
Information about Nutrition Value of Mango
This fruit is usually sweet when ripe although some varieties of mango can retain the sour taste even after ripening. The texture of the flesh of this fruit varies in different plantings as well as between soft pulp and firm or fibrous. Raw mangoes are used in various varieties of pickles and sauces and can be eaten raw with salt and chilli. Drinks like Amaras and Aam Panna are made from raw and ripe mango pulp respectively. The pulp of ripe fruit is used to make a number of desserts such as ice cream, mango ice cream and sorbets.
The rich source of this fruit has been shown to fight against certain types of cancer. High levels of pectin, fiber and vitamin C in mangoes help reduce the level of low-density lipoprotein in your blood. The pulp of this fruit is a rich source of vitamin A which helps in improving vision. These fruits have low glycemic index. Carrie is also suitable for diabetics. The abundance of vitamins and carotenoids present in the pulp of this fruit helps to boost the immune system. Consuming this fruit is associated with a risk of your muscle degeneration as well as asthma.
Cultural Context of Mango
Carrie has been given a special place among us since ancient times. Mango is heavenly in taste and is known as the 'food of God'. Carrie is a tool of celebration among people of all social backgrounds. This ripe fruit is a symbol of achievement and prosperity. This fruit is also representative of the country's gift to the world. Jain Goddess Ambika is depicted sitting under a mango tree. The flowers of this fruit are an integral part of Saraswati worship. The leaves of this fruit are considered auspicious and the five leaves of this fruit are joined together and which is a mandatory component of Hindu rituals.
Other Information
Scientific Name : Mangifera Indica
Found in : Native to South Asia; cultivated all over the world
Type : Stony Fruit
Adopted in : 1950
Habitat : Terrestrial
No. of Economically Important Cultivars : 283
Kingdom : Plantae
Subkingdom : Tracheobionta
Domain : Eukarya
Subclass : Rosidae
Class : Magnoliopsida
Family : Anacardiaceae
Species : Mangifera Indica
Order : Sapindales
Genus : Mangifera