Central Institute of Horticulture for Northern Plains, Lucknow-226 016.
Two mango cultivars viz Langra and Mallika were studied for their growth and development from 45–47 days of fruit set to maturity and ripening for two consecutive seasons, i.e., 1983 and 1984. The fruit growth was faster initially compared to later stages, i.e., around 84–87 days in Langra and 103–105 days in Mallika. The specific gravity did not show same trend either in the cultivars or seasons. So it may not be a reliable maturity index. The development of stone could be correlated to the maturity of fruits which was completed in 80–84 days in Langra and 93–96 days in Mallika. After an initial increase in TSS and acidity, they declined. TSS increased again as the fruits approached maturity and ripening. TSS acid ratio did not exhibit clear trend in different seasons though it rose in mature fruits. Vitamin-C decreased throughout the growth period in Mallika fruits whereas in Langra, after an initial decrease it increased and became more or less constant till harvest. In Langra fruits the increase in vitamin-C around 80 days could be associated with maturity, p-caro-tene content increased as fruits approached maturity and ripening.
